![]() ![]() ![]() This business illustrated the presence of the Greek community around the Cathedral, which was located just to the south of here. In this photo of the American Indian Center at 229 Valencia Street, you can see a Greek-American food imports store on the ground floor. Max Kirkeberg Collection, DIVA, SF State. Max Kirkeberg Collection, DIVA, SF State.Įntrance to the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Annunciation in 1983. Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Annunciation at 245 Valencia Street in 1977. Made of 10 different metals and valued at $3,000 the mosaic is a gift by Eftihia Demaka, a polio victim, to the Greek Orthodox Church of The Annunciation, 245 Valencia street, it measures 7 1/2 by 12 feet.” San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library. Newscopy: “IT’S MADE OF TEN DIFFERENT METALS–Artist Nikos Bel Jon uses steel wool to put finishing touches on an anadized metal tile Byzantine-type mosaic he is completing in his studio at 45 Maiden Lane. The radio program broadcast live concerts during Christmas, and these became so popular that parishioners and neighborhood residents stood outside the Cathedral to enjoy holiday music.Īugust 31, 1954. During the war and into the 1950s, a Greek radio program was broadcast from the Cathedral, and became the voice of the Greek community. During World War II for example, the Annunciation community led several Greek War Relief efforts. Over the decades that followed, the church stood as the core of the Greek community of San Francisco. During this time, the Saint Sophia community was reorganized and named the United Greek Orthodox Community of San Francisco, the Annunciation. Giannini of the Bank of Italy, the faithful were able to again take back their church, signaling the growth of the parish again. Fortunately, within a few years, and working with A.P. Apostolides’ impact on Greek women was profound throughout her life.ĭuring the Great Depression, the community was unable to sustain its financial obligations and the church was lost in foreclosure. Sophia parishioner Alexandra Apostolides founded the Daughters of Penelope, a women’s organization dedicated to promoting Hellenism, education, philanthropy, civic responsibility, and family. San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library. Sophia’s Greek Orthodox Church – the precursor to the Greek Orthodox Cathedral – and two gilded domes were added. In the 1920s the theater was converted to St. However, stars like Ethel Barrymore, Nijinsky, and Pavlova performed here. With seating for 1700 guests, the theater was never a commercial success. The theater was known as the “grandest, most beautiful of the West” and the place where entertainer George Burns got his start.Įxterior of the Valencia Theatre, between 19. In April 1928, the community acquired the historic Valencia Street Theater (1908). Sophia community grew rapidly, requiring larger facilities. Photo credit: Greek Historical Society of the San Francisco Bay Area. By doing so they established a second Greek Orthodox community in San Francisco - the “first” community was “ Greek Town” in the South of Market, which grew into the center of local Greek life after Greek immigrants started to arrive in San Francisco in the 1880s (and in much greater numbers after the 1906 earthquake and fire necessitated the hiring of new workers to rebuild the city).Īnnunciation Cathedral Founding, 1921 at Hayes and Pierce Streets. Sophia, the precursor to the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Metropolis Cathedral, was founded in June 1921 at Hayes and Pierce Streets by a group of parishioners from Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church. This is post is adapted from text written by Father Stephen Kyriacou, Presiding Priest and Christo Pappademos Pastoral Assistant and Youth Director at the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Annunciation in San Francisco. The Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Annunciation in 1938. ![]()
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