History of the Church & Community
The Greek Orthodox Community of Oakleigh and District Inc. was founded in 1963 with a clear set of aims and objectives. These primarily involved the delivery of specific services to the local and extended Greek Community. These may be summarised under the following general headings: Religious, Educational, Cultural, Philanthropic and Social.
The religious needs of the Community were catered for by the Church through the work of the rector, Father Nicholas Moutafis. The various activities related to the Church may be summarised as:
Between 1964 and 1967, the Community and Parish used the Mechanics Institute, belonging to the city of Oakleigh, to hold Church services each Sunday.
Ιn 1967 the first Church building was opened at 81 Willesden Road, being the first property acquisition of the Community.
Ιn 1971 the foundation stone was laid for the present Saints Anargiri church building, which was οfficially opened in October of 1973. The Church has the capacity to seat approximately 500 persons.
Ιη 1978 the Community and Youth Centre was completed. This two-storey building provides a venue for holding events of a cultural and social nature and is also used to satisfy the needs the Youth and Senior Citizens of our Community. Since the establishment of the College, this facility has also been used for a wide range of educational uses, ranging from Parent Information evenings, Christmas Concerts and Presentation Evenings.
Ιn 1986, 14 special units were completed to house our Elderly Citizens. These are in great demand and have served only part of the need that exists in the Community.
The Community has always taken the initiative in order to purchase properties in and around its existing buildings, as they become available. This, in order to accommodate its future plans and satisfy its initial goal and aim to service the needs of its parishioners and members of the local community.
This Community has always been keen to provide the necessary physical facilities that will assist the task of realising its aims and objectives.
Το this end, all bodies which constitute the Greek Orthodox Community of Oakleigh & District Inc. have worked enthusiastically and with commitment for the attainment of its goals.