Saint Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church of Fort Worth
Saint Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church of Fort Worth serves the Orthodox Christian community of Fort Worth, Texas, offering regular worship services and preserving Greek Orthodox faith, traditions, and community life in the region.
Clergy:
Rev. Protopresbyter Nicholas Hadzellis, Presiding Priest; Rev. Deacon James Nickolas
Church Type:
Parish
Denomination:
Greek Orthodox
Metropolis:
Metropolis of Denver
Affiliation:
Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
Ecumenical Patriarch:
Bartholomew I of Constantinople
Clergy Information updated Jan 2026
History
Saint Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church of Fort Worth, Texas holds a distinction that sets it apart from every other parish in the Lone Star State: it is the oldest Greek Orthodox church in Texas, the first in a state where thousands of Greeks had settled across hundreds of thousands of square miles without a single parish to call their own.
The story of its founding reaches back to 1910, when work in Fort Worth's bustling stockyards had attracted a considerable number of Greek immigrants to the city. Father Christos Angelopoulos, a priest of wide experience who had already served as the founding priest of the Annunciation parish in Atlanta, left New Orleans in the autumn of 1910 to establish the first Greek Orthodox parish in Texas. By November of that year the Saint Demetrios parish of Fort Worth was chartered, with services held initially on the second floor of a building across from the county courthouse while funds were raised to build a proper church. Father Angelopoulos was followed by Father Leonidas Adamakos, an experienced priest who had served in the New York metropolitan area since 1902, and then by Father Damianos Ermogenis, who on February 18, 1917 celebrated the first Divine Liturgy in the new Saint Demetrios church, with the cornerstone of the building laid eight days later at a construction cost of approximately ten thousand dollars.
As the years passed, the Fort Worth community continued to serve not only its own faithful but the broader Greek Orthodox population of North Texas and beyond, with successive priests traveling to celebrate the Divine Liturgy in Dallas, Houston, and other communities that had not yet established parishes of their own, making Saint Demetrios a mother church in the truest sense for Greek Orthodoxy across Texas.
Saint Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church at 2020 NW 21st Street in Fort Worth serves the Orthodox Christian faithful of the Tarrant County area as a parish of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Denver within the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, the oldest Greek Orthodox community in Texas and a living witness to the faith of the Greek immigrants who chose Fort Worth as the place to plant the ancient Church in the Lone Star State.
This page serves as a reference resource for Saint Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church of Fort Worth, 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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