Transfiguration of Our Savior Greek Orthodox Church, Florence S.C.

Transfiguration of Our Savior Greek Orthodox Church - About Us

While the first Greeks in Florence date back to the early1900’s, the Greek Orthodox Community of Florence , South Carolina, was officially chartered in 1953 when a group of men with Greek Heritage organized a men’s club which chose the name “H Omonia”” (“Brotherhood”). Since there were no physical facilities of the community, all activities were held at various places and locations through the courtesy and goodness of friends and businesses in Florence. Divine Liturgy and other religious services were celebrated in the Stoudenmire Chapel and St. John’s Episcopal Church. Holy Sacraments were celebrated in the churches, while secular and fundraising events were held in homes, businesses and the Florence Country Club.

A Sunday school was also organized in 1953. It operated in private homes in the beginning, and then moved to the upstairs private dining room of the P&M Café, and later to the Florence County Agricultural Building on South Irby Street.

In 1958 the dreams of the parish began to meld as three acres of land on South Cashua Road were purchased. In 1960 three additional acres of adjoining land were purchased.

Ground was broken on October 9, 1960, and construction began on the Neo-Byzantine style church and educational building. Parish member and local architect Paul Psillos designed the buildings and oversaw the projects. Construction of the church and educational building was completed in 1962. The charter of 1953 was thus amended in 1962 to read the “Greek Orthodox Community Transfiguration” of Florence, SC.

The need for a parish house was realized in 1965 and a seven room home was built on the church grounds. In 1970 an additional 6 acres of land were purchased.

Additional classrooms were added to the educational building in 1983 to accommodate the ever-growing needs of the educational programs. Also in 1983 the annual “Greek Festival” was begun and has continued every year since.

Over the years enhancements have been made to the facilities to include the beautiful iconography found on the interior of the church.

Our Future Expansion Project

And now, on February 17th, 2008 the next era in the history of the community will begin as ground is broken on the new facilities.

Truly the hopes and aspirations of a handful or people in the early 1950’s and 1960’s are still alive today as Orthodox Christianity continues to grow. Their dreams of perpetuating the faith of their fathers in their adopted land continue to exist today.