The Wilmington morning star. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1909-1990, 1945-08-31
Governor Cherry To Lay Cornerstone
Of Greek Orthodox Church TONIGHT

Governor R. Gregg Cherry will
lay the cornerstone of the new
$50, 1000 Greek Orthodox church of
the Wilmington district, at p. m.
today at Second and Orange
streets.
The religious ceremony will be
conducted by Archbishop Athen.
agoras, of the Greek Orthodox
church OF North and South Ameri-
ca, or the Bishop of Nissa Ger
manos. Assisting in the rite will
be the pastor of the new church,
the Rev. E. B. Papazisis, and 9TH
er Greek congregationalists from
Raleigh, Charlotte, Columbia, S.
c., Charleston, S. c., Winston-Sa.
lem, and others Of various denom-
nations in Wilmington who have
been invited.
Also scheduled to be present al
the ceremonies are Senator Clyde
R. Hoey, Representative J. Bay.
ard Clark, State Senator John @.
LeGrand, State Senator John D.
Larkins, Jr., Mayor Ronald Lane
and County Commissioner Addison
Hewlett, ST., as well as other
prominent persons.
Members of the Greek congre.
cation in Wilmington first con-
ceived the idea Of a church OF
their own in June, 1913, when they
held mass meeting, presided
over by the Bishop of Nissa Ger.
manos. The 81 Greeks present,
discussed the ways and means to
build their own church.
Prior to the construction of the
new church the Greeks of the Will.
mington district were forced to
hold their services in St. Johns
Episcopal church, which they used
through the courtesy of the church
for more than 10 years.
The Rev. Papazisis, assigned to
the Wilmington church last July
/, is the first Greek pastor to be
assigned to this district. Hereto.
fore it has been necessary for the
Greeks of Wilmington to request
minister from outside their dis.
trict, and religious services were
few and far between.
The Rev. Papazisis came to Will
mington from Johnstown, N. Y,
after serving at Columbia, S. c.
Originally he came from Boiotia,
Greece, % years ago. He was or.
dained at Lowell, Mass, in 1884.
Following an election few
months ago, in an effort to secure
pastor for the Wilmington dis
trict, the group sought the Rev.
Papazisis, who was approved by
the Archbishop.
In a campaign to raise funds
for the construction of the church,
more than $4,000 was collected
Many Wilmington friends and bus.
inesses were instrumental in the
success of the drive.
The first services in the new
church were held last March.
The brick and masonry struc-
ture stands as monument to the
fortitude of the Greeks in this
area.
Following the ceremony at the
church, a banquet honoring Gov
ernor Cherry will be held at $3.50
p. m. at the Plantation club, by
the Greek congregation of the
Wilmington district.
Speakers will be Governor Cher.
ny, N. H. Modinos, of Holly Ridge
Congressman Clark, Mayor Lane,
Archbishop Athenagoras or the
Bishop of Nissa Germnos; Senator
Hoey, City Councilman J. e. L.
Wade, and State Senators Larkins
and LeGrand.
Other guests will be Chief of Po-
lice Charles H. Casteen, Sheriff c.
David Jones, Judge H. Winfield
Smith, T. T. Hamilton, principal
of New Hanover High school, Sec.
rotary of State Thad Eure, anc
others.
Following the playing Of "Caro
lima" by the orchestra, as the
Governor enters the banquet hall
the congregation viii sing thu
''Star Spangled Banner" and tn.
National Anthem Of Greece.
In 1900 there were five Greel
families in Wilmington, the frs
to arrive from their native land
Today there are more than LOO
Greek families in the Wiiningto,
district. Leading the large humble