History

The Greek Orthodox Church of Saint George in Bethesda, Maryland was born from the postwar migration of American families from cities to suburbs. As Greek Orthodox families moved from Washington, D.C. into the growing communities of Montgomery County through the early 1960s, they found themselves far from the established parishes in the District and in Northern Virginia, and the desire for a church closer to home took hold. Several private discussions had taken place in 1964, and the first public meeting for the purpose of forming a Greek Orthodox parish in Montgomery County was held on Friday evening, March 12, 1965, at the Davis Memorial Library in Bethesda.

Heading the movement were four pioneers of deep faith and strong convictions: William Condrell, Pete Collis, John Glakas, and George Seymore. William Condrell chaired that first meeting and emerged as the leader of the effort, serving as the parish's first president. Seventeen people were chosen for an Executive Committee, and in a letter addressed to all members of the Greek Orthodox faith living in suburban Maryland, the committee announced the formation of the community with the goal of establishing a church in Montgomery County. The opposition from established Washington-area parishes was considerable, as the movement encountered resistance from the mother churches who preferred to retain their suburban members rather than see a new parish formed, but the founders pressed forward with determination.

In June 1970, Bishop Silas came to Bethesda for the laying of the cornerstone, and on March 21, 1971 he returned to lead the community in the celebration of the opening of the new edifice. The Divine Liturgy was held in the hall of the new building, named Founders' Hall in honor of those who had the vision to establish the community. On Saturday, June 19, 1971, Archbishop Iakovos visited Bethesda and the following morning celebrated the Divine Liturgy, speaking as a loving father to the congregation and praising his children for their accomplishments.

The Greek Orthodox Church of Saint George at 7701 Bradley Boulevard in Bethesda serves the Orthodox Christian faithful of Montgomery County and the Maryland suburbs of Washington as a parish of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of New Jersey within the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, a community built by suburban pioneers whose vision of a parish closer to home has grown into one of the most active Greek Orthodox communities in the greater Washington metropolitan area.