Following the over-development of properties surrounding our Parish Community at 11 Hassall Street, Parramatta, the Parish board in collaboration with its advisors and His Grace Bishop Seraphim of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia were investigating ways to ensure the Parish Community’s amenity was preserved.
Our vision was to ensure that we maintain a vibrant and viable Parish Community by ensuring that the Church remains within Parramatta, and the current Parish community services and facilities are expanded to adequately cater for the needs of its parishioners and the broader community of Western Sydney, for all stages in life.
After almost ten years of many failed attempts and dead-ends our Parish Community, with the blessing of His Eminence Archbishop Stylianos of Australia, along with formal approval by the trustees of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese Property Trust and unanimous approval of the community, made the very difficult and emotional decision to sell the Church property at 11 Hassall Street on the condition that it purchase the property at 163 – 165 George Street, Parramatta. It must be noted that this same property was offered to the founding committee prior to them purchasing the church property at 11 Hassall Street.
On 20 June 2014, the sale of 11 Hassall Street and the purchase of 163 – 165 George Street were finalised.
Following the appropriate regulatory approvals from the NSW State Government and Parramatta City Council, the relocation of our Parish Community occurred on “All Saints” day 2015.
The new property now provides our Parish Community with the opportunity to implement our vision for the glory of God and our Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia.
Having gone through this experience, words cannot accurately express how we feel. We are humbled and, at the same time, grateful to have gone through this truly miraculous experience.
We are now entering a new phase in our Parish Community’s history and, although the road ahead may be difficult, we are certain that with everyone’s prayers and support our permanent Church will be rebuilt within the short to medium term.
A short film has been prepared documenting the relocation of our Parish Community. Click here. DVD’s are available for purchase by calling Fr Dimitri on (02) 9635 9480.