History

Saint Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church of Rocky River, Ohio was established in 1960 in response to a request from a contingent of immigrant Greeks and Greek Americans on Cleveland's West Side who desired a Greek Orthodox church more centered in their own community. The Board of Trustees of the American Hellenic Community of Greater Cleveland authorized the new parish, which was founded with the purchase of the old Rockport Methodist Church at 3300 Wooster Road in Rocky River. The parish was named Saint Demetrios at the wish of James Watson, the generous benefactor who served as the church's godfather.

Saint Demetrios initially operated as a satellite of the Annunciation mother church in Cleveland, within an administrative unit of daughter churches, until July 1967, when each parish became administratively independent. Growth was phenomenal. Sunday school classes overflowed the building, requiring rented space and eventually the hospitality of the Methodist church across the street. The search for a new site began and a large lot on Center Ridge Road at the Rocky River and Westlake boundary was identified and purchased. Groundbreaking took place in 1968, and the successful fundraising campaign of 1969 resulted in the construction of the first phase of the new Saint Demetrios facilities and Hellenic Cultural Center. The first Divine Liturgy in the new Cultural Center was celebrated on Christmas Eve 1970, an evening recalled by those present with gratitude, pride, and more than a few misty eyes.

Work on the permanent church building continued without pause. Groundbreaking for the church complex was held on May 14, 1972. The church was officially opened by Bishop Gerasimos on October 21, 1973, when the cornerstone was placed. The crowning moment came on Sunday, November 13, 1977, when Archbishop Iakovos consecrated the new church in a historic ceremony. In 2002, Italian artist Bruno Salvatore was commissioned to create new icons for the sanctuary dome: twelve prophets mounted on the inside of the dome, twelve apostles at its base, and angels at each of the four corners, unveiled at a Candlelight Vespers service in December 2002. A large gymnasium was subsequently constructed behind the church, and a classroom was converted into the Saint Philothei Chapel for private prayer and smaller services.

Saint Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church at 22909 Center Ridge Road in Rocky River serves the Orthodox Christian faithful of the greater Cleveland West Side as a parish of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Pittsburgh, a community whose growth from a small west side mission to a vibrant parish with active youth, educational, and philanthropic ministries reflects the enduring vitality of Greek Orthodox life in northeastern Ohio.