Assumption Greek Orthodox Church of Saint Clair Shores
Assumption Greek Orthodox Church of Saint Clair Shores serves the Orthodox Christian community of Saint Clair Shores, Michigan, offering regular worship services and preserving Greek Orthodox faith, traditions, and community life in the region.
Clergy:
Rev. Protopresbyter Michael Varlamos, Presiding Priest; Rev. Presbyter Michael Manos, Assistant Priest
Church Type:
Parish
Denomination:
Greek Orthodox
Metropolis:
Metropolis of Detroit
Affiliation:
Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
Ecumenical Patriarch:
Bartholomew I of Constantinople
Clergy Information updated Jan 2026
History
The Assumption Greek Orthodox Church of Saint Clair Shores, Michigan carries a history that begins not in the suburbs but in the heart of Detroit, where Greek immigrants began gathering for worship as far back as 1928. With the approval of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, the community was formally established, and in the spring of 1930 the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese issued a charter to the new Assumption Greek Orthodox Church. The first Sunday Liturgy took place on May 25, 1930, in a home on Hillger Street in Detroit. The following year the community moved to a commercial building on Hart Street, and by 1933 parishioners had purchased a vacant lot at Beniteau and Vernor Highway on Detroit's near east side. Construction of their first permanent church was completed in 1934, and the 200-seat Beniteau church was consecrated in 1936.
After World War II the congregation had outgrown Beniteau, and land was purchased a block away on Charlevoix Avenue for a new and larger building. The new 450-seat church on Charlevoix was completed in 1959, and its iconography was completed in 1966 by Stelios Maris, a renowned iconographer from Athens. The following year, the unrest of 1967 in Detroit began a steady exodus of Greek families to the suburbs. The church moved its offices to rented space in Saint Clair Shores, and by the early 1970s the decision was made to follow the congregation. In 1972, ten acres of land were purchased on Marter Road in Saint Clair Shores for the future Assumption campus. A church building, hall, classrooms, and gymnasium were all completed in 1983, and the 600-seat Marter Road church was consecrated in June 1989.
On December 20, 2002, a fire destroyed much of the church interior, including large and small hand-painted icons, murals, and wood-carved furnishings. The community rallied, a new priest was assigned to lead the reconstruction and the spiritual healing of the parishioners, and the first Divine Liturgy in the restored church took place on December 21, 2003, exactly one year after the fire. Iconography work continued in subsequent years, with the latest phase completed in 2016.
The Assumption Greek Orthodox Church at 21800 Marter Road in Saint Clair Shores serves the faithful of the greater Detroit metropolitan area as a parish of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Detroit, a community of nearly a century's resilience and devotion that followed its faithful from the east side of Detroit to the shores of Lake Saint Clair.
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This page serves as a reference resource for Assumption Greek Orthodox Church of Saint Clair Shores, providing essential information such as location, contact details, clergy, and church affiliation. It is intended to help visitors and members of the Orthodox Christian community easily find accurate parish information in one place.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do I register as a member at a Greek Orthodox parish?
Parish membership is generally established by registering with the church office. Each parish may have its own process for enrollment and participation in parish life.
Can I attend services if I am not a registered member of the parish?
Greek Orthodox churches welcome visitors and non-members to attend services. Participation in sacraments may require coordination with the parish and priest.
How do I contact the parish priest for pastoral matters?
Pastoral requests are typically handled by the parish priest. The parish office can assist with contact details and help coordinate appointments or inquiries.
How do I register to baptize my child in the Greek Orthodox Church?
Baptism requests are handled by the local parish. The church will usually require documentation from the parents and godparent, along with coordination with the priest to schedule the baptism.
How do I request a wedding date at my Greek Orthodox church?
Wedding dates are scheduled through the parish office and priest. Availability depends on the church calendar, fasting periods, and parish guidelines, so it is recommended to inquire well in advance.
How do I obtain a copy of my Greek Orthodox marriage certificate?
Marriage certificates are typically issued by the church where the sacrament took place. To request a copy, contact the parish office directly and ask what information or identification is required.
How do I obtain a copy of my Greek Orthodox baptismal certificate?
Baptismal certificates are typically issued by the church where the baptism took place. To request a copy, contact the parish office directly and ask what information or identification is required.
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