Home History of the Community
History of the Community PDF Print E-mail

History of the Greek Community of Winnipeg 1898-1980

*taken from History of the Greek Community of Winnipeg by Rev. Fr. A. Mavromaras (1980)

 

Time Line:

  • 1898 - first Greek arrives in Winnipeg - Tom Julius - from Laconia, Greece
  • 1912 - first official Greek Association in Winnipeg - ANNUNCIATION
  • 1917 (Jan 7) - first General Meeting in the Manitoba Hall and establishment within the guidelines of the law the first chapter of the Greek community under the name “GREEK COMMUNITY OF WINNIPEG”
  • 1917 - first President of the Greek Community of Winnipeg - Stavros Grammas
  • 1918 - first establishment of Greek School evening classes
  • 1920 (Dec 28) - first meeting of the members of the Greek Community of Winnipeg
  • 1923 - first Greek Orthodox priest arrives in Winnipeg - Rev. Fr. Michael Stoikos
  • 1926 - the wives of the Greeks establish a ladies philanthropic association - ELPIS
  • 1927 (May 22) - participate officially as a Greek Community in the 50th Anniversary Celebration of Canada’s Independence
  • 1931 – AHEPA established in Winnipeg under the name “POLIKOS ASTER CJ8”
  • 1934 - reach 44 members in the Greek Community of Winnipeg (monthly dues 50 cents)
  • 1940 - Greek War Relief Fund established to help the Greek refugees of the war between Greece and Italy as part of WWII
  • 1944 - purchase of a house on Edmonton & Ellice Streets, which becomes known to all as the “Greek House” - used as a church, school, hall for meetings, parties etc.
  • 1944 - Daughters of Penelope established
  • 1949 - establishment of first youth group - Greek Canadian Youth Club - later to fold into GOYA in 1952 (first GOYA President, Miss Mary Kelekis)
  • 1953 - establishment of Junior GOYA (first President, Jim Pappas)
  • 1956 (Jan 5) - officially move into the old church at 103 Furby Street; 400 Greek Orthodox people in the community
  • 1956 - establishment of Greek Orthodox Choir by Mrs. Helen Cholakis
  • 1957 - official religious recognition of the Greek Community of Winnipeg from the Greek Archdiocese of America
  • 1957 - official dissolution of ELPIS and new ladies group formed - Ladies of Philoptochos Society (first President, Mrs. Helen Effos)
  • 1958 - first Greek Soccer Team established - OLYMPIANS
  • 1958 - organ purchased for Choir
  • 1958 (Oct) - official dedication of the church - the Godfather is Mr. Theo Christakos and the church is given the name of St. Demetrios
  • 1958 - begin publishing Community Bulletin (on weekly basis) with help of Miss Mary Kelekis
  • 1960 (Aug 15) - arrival of Rev. Fr. Anthony Mavromaras
  • 1961 - re-organization of JUNIOR GOYA by Miss Mary Kelekis
  • 1961 - first Clergy-Laity Conference in Canada and the Greek Community of Winnipeg voted Best Greek Community in Canada
  • 1961 - first TV program showing Greek dances and songs by young Winnipeg Greek boys and girls on CJAY-TV
  • 1961 - first establishment of a Greek Consulate in Winnipeg, Mr. Michael John Mercury
  • 1961 (Dec 23) - first time caroling by Greek Choir
  • 1962 - establishment of Greek Library by GOYA
  • 1963 - first noteworthy social event -  the visit by performer Theresa Stratas, who gives concert
  • 1963 - first missionary work performed by Rev. Fr. A Mavromaras with trip to Northern Manitoba
  • 1964 - first boys Cub Pack established
  • 1965 - first Clergy-Laity Conference hosted by the Greek Community of Winnipeg
  • 1966 - first Greek Community of Winnipeg telephone book
  • 1966 (Dec 18) - first performance of Greek Children’s Choir in Winnipeg
  • 1967 - Canada’s Centennial - various events throughout city featuring Greek performers
  • 1968 - Winnipeg Greek soccer team re-established - OLYMPICS
  • 1968 - establishment of first direct air route between Canada and Greece by C.P. Air
  • 1968 (Dec 3) - declaration of Greek Day for Eatons Christmas Tree Festival
  • 1970 (Feb 15) - inauguration of first Greek Radio Program in Winnipeg
  • 1970 (Jun 21) - first official By-Laws for Greek Community of Winnipeg presented and unanimously passed
  • 1970 (Aug) - establishment of Greek Pavilion as part of Folklorama
  • 1970 (Sep) - Mr. Theodore Christakos donates $50,000 to the Greek School, which from then on, bears his name
  • 1970 - Manitoba’s Centennial - various events throughout city featuring Greek performers
  • 1971 (Mar 25) - the Mayor of Winnipeg, the Honourable Stephen Juba, issued a Proclamation declaring the 25th of March to be Greek Independence Day honouring Greece’s 150 year anniversary of Independence (Greek flag raised at City Hall)
  • 1971 (Apr 21) - 50th anniversary of AHEPA in North America
  • 1973 (Sep 10) - new church at 2255 Grant Avenue officially dedicated
  • 1973 (Dec) - first TV Program established for Greek Community of Winnipeg
  • 1974 (Mar 3) - first celebration of Sunday of Orthodoxy at new church, featuring 25 Orthodox priests and 1000 people in attendance
  • 1974 - visit from Greek movie actor - George Maharis
  • 1974 - the Greek Cultural Society of Manitoba and the Greek Folk Dancers of Manitoba established in order to help maintain the Greek customs and traditions and teach national Greek dances
  • 1974 - new stained glass window depicting “The Resurrection” installed at the back of the church
  • 1975 - Winnipeg Greek Soccer Team re-established - HELLAS
  • 1975 - the Manitoba Government gives grant of $33,000 to Greek Community of Winnipeg to assist us in our cultural activities
  • 1975 (Nov) - Nana Mouskouri visits Winnipeg to perform
  • 1977 - Mr. Theo Christakos donates Iconostasis to church
  • 1978 - Mr. George Savalas visits Winnipeg and performs
  • 1979 (Feb 15) - Mr. Theo Christakos passes away
  • 1980 (May 25) - Greek Community hosts Walk-a-Thon