The Greek Orthodox Community of Albury and District (GOCAD), which turned 80 last year, marked another milestone recently: the 60th anniversary of its parish church, Taxiarhon, Archangels Michael and Gabriel.
The church, inaugurated on November 7, 1964, stands as a testament to the enduring spirit of the Greek community in Albury. James Veneris, a GOCAD member, reflected on the community’s journey in an email to Neos Kosmos.
“My parents arrived from Kythera, joining a small but vibrant community of around 80 families from various parts of Greece,” he wrote. “Over the years, many of our children moved to the cities, but we endure and remain strong.”
Veneris highlighted his family’s deep connection to the church, noting that his grandfather, George Travassaros, played a pivotal role in its establishment, while his father, George Veneris, served as the community’s president for many years.
Honouring community pioneers
At the church’s anniversary celebrations, Veneris delivered a speech recognising key figures in the community’s history, including early settlers like Paul Kalligeros, believed to be the first Greek in Albury in the early 1900s.
“The first Greek Community meeting was held at the Spot Café, Dean Street, now a retail outlet,” said Veneris.
Kalligeros owned several cafés, including the Hume Weir Sundae Shop, which advertised “the latest American Sundaes.”
By the 1930s, George Sampson, another Greek pioneer, had become a prominent community leader and was elected the first president in 1943.
Veneris also paid tribute to the contributions of Andrew Georgiou, who built the community hall in the 1970s, and to the late centenarian Aphrodite Cretan, who passed away at 103. He spoke of Peter Cominos, the community’s oldest living member, who arrived in 1939 as a 13-year-old.
Building the Church: A testament of faith
The journey to establishing Taxiarhon began with Veneris’s grandfather George Travassaros’s determination. In 1959, after retiring from the café business, he identified a plot of land owned by the Haberfield family, as the perfect site for the church.
“My grandfather asked the Haberfield’s if they would sell their corner block to the Greek Community to build a church and they politely said no.
“He was persistent and kept asking for the land and explained to the Haberfields that it was for a Christian church and that selling their corner block for a church would be a good thing to do in the eyes of God.
“He may have also reminded the Haberfields, who owned a milk factory, that the Greeks in Albury operated cafes and milk bars and bought a lot of milk,” said Verenis to chuckles from the audience at the anniversary celebrations.
Despite initial resistance, his persistence paid off, and the land was purchased for £900. The church’s construction, costing around £5,000, was funded by donations, including contributions from Greek cafés across regional NSW.
Veneris recounted how his grandfather, along with Damianos Vlandis from Wangaratta, built the church’s iconostasion and framed its icons. The foundation stone was laid on March 22, 1964, with Archbishop Ezekiel officiating.
The church hall was officially also opened later that year, with a golden key ceremonially presented to the highest donor.
In the 1970s again a golden key was gifted to Maritza Xenofon, as a highest donor. Her husband Greg would later serve as president of the Greek Community.”
A hub for the Greek community
The church has been a cornerstone of the Greek community in Albury, hosting baptisms, weddings, and festivals. Its inaugural baptism was that of Poppy Galanakis, now Poppy Cominos, while the first wedding occurred on the day of the church’s opening.
For its first decade, the church relied on visiting priests from Canberra. Father Stavros Angelakos became the first resident priest in 1974. Today, Father Agathangelos Masteas conducts fortnightly services, continuing the spiritual guidance provided to the community.
Veneris emphasised the invaluable contributions of post-war migrants, many of whom passed through the Bonegilla Migrant Camp. “Without them, the church wouldn’t have been sustainable,” he said.
A celebration of heritage
To mark the dual anniversaries, the community held a dance at Albury’s Commercial Club, attended by over 200 people, followed by a traditional lunch at the church hall. Veneris closed his speech by expressing gratitude to past and present community members, reaffirming the importance of preserving their shared heritage and faith.
“These milestones are a testament to our unwavering Orthodox Christian faith and common Greek heritage,” he said. “They reflect our resilience and are a source of immense pride for us all.”
