History

Saint George Greek Orthodox Church of Hollywood, Florida traces its origins to the summer of 1973, when a small but determined group of people came together with a simple but ambitious idea: to establish a Greek Orthodox church in Hollywood. Skeptics doubted whether the local Greek community was large enough to support it. Someone suggested going through the local telephone book and counting Greek family names. 

They found more than one hundred. It was decided to send everyone a letter, but there were no funds for stationery or stamps. A hat was passed around for donations, and enough money was collected to send out letters informing the community of the hope to establish a church in Hollywood that would include not just religious services, but an educational and social center as well. The response was encouraging, and that first collection became the seed of what would grow into Saint George Church.

The parish was officially incorporated on August 31, 1973 with the State of Florida. The first services were held on February 24, 1974, with Father Gaines officiating. What had begun as a hat passed around a room had become a living, worshipping community.

In the decades since, Saint George has grown into a vibrant parish and a cornerstone of Orthodox Christian life in Broward County. The church is located at 425 North 58th Avenue in Hollywood and belongs to the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America under the Metropolis of Atlanta. Today, under the leadership of Rev. Fr. Ioannis Vernikos, the parish continues to fulfill the vision of its founders, offering a full range of ministries spanning religious education, Greek school, dance, youth programs, and community outreach, keeping faith, culture, and fellowship alive for generations of parishioners who call Saint George home.