A spiritual and social center to meet, practice, and preserve the Orthodox religion and Greek culture, Saints Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church is proudly celebrating 115 years as a parish and 50 years in the Palos Hills community.
“When a community of believers comes together in faith and the love of Christ, then He is present,” said the Rev. Chris Avramopoulos, proistameos of Saints Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church.
The parish was officially organized on April 25, 1909, with its first location on 61st Street and Michigan Avenue. Its first full-day school, Koraes Elementary School, opened in 1910.
The Palos Hills church, located at 11025 S. Roberts Rd., has become a neighborhood landmark, known for its easily recognizable gold dome. It serves as a lively hub of cultural celebration, hosting events that honor Hellenic heritage through music, dance, and culinary delights, according to Avramopoulos.
“For 115 years, this community—through four different edifices and areas of the city of Chicago, and now in the southwestern suburb of Palos Hills—has been a bastion of faith, witness, worship, and fellowship for tens of thousands of believers,” Avramopoulos said. “The early immigrant families established a community that kept its traditions and faith alive for future generations. Through the church and Koraes School, the faith was spread, and the cultural heritage of our forefathers and mothers was preserved and imparted to future generations. Having a parochial school where generations of Orthodox students have been taught and have lived their faith is quite unique. The dynamic combination of church and school has preserved, grown, and spread this community’s faith and brought the love of Christ to all who have been a part of it.”
The church celebrated its anniversary on Saturday, Sept. 28, in Palos Hills. The event featured cocktails and appetizers on the patio, followed by a five-course plated meal. The evening was emceed by Basile the Comedian and included entertainment from Ormi Orchestra.
“As we celebrated the 115th anniversary of Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church, I reflected on the profound impact this parish has had on the faithful and the broader community,” Avramopoulos said. “This milestone signifies not only a rich history of spiritual growth, Hellenism, and fellowship, but also the enduring commitment of our congregation to preserving and sharing our Orthodox faith.”
“This occasion is an important reminder of our community’s dedication to the Orthodox faith and the Hellenic cultural heritage that has persisted for over a century,” said Elizabeth Christofylakis, parish council member and Koraes Elementary School board chair. “We’ve grown as a community and now welcome parishioners from many ethnic backgrounds who are excited to be part of such a supportive, active, and family-oriented environment. The support of Palos Hills over the last 50 years has been tremendous.”
Church officials expressed gratitude for the positive relationship with Palos Hills’ city, public works, and emergency service departments.
In 2023, the church had 585 individual stewards or steward families, and officials report even more growth in stewardship this year. The Koraes Parochial School currently enrolls 195 students from preschool through eighth grade.
Beyond church and school offerings, Saints Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church also boasts a full soccer field and baseball diamond (Kladis Field), a full-size gym/auditorium (Pierre Austin Demets Auditorium), and an event space, Graven Hall, which can accommodate up to 350 guests. Graven Hall was recently renovated and dedicated in honor of John and Anastasia Graven, benevolent stewards of the church. Last spring, a new outdoor patio project was completed, featuring new lighting, planter boxes, landscaping, and entrances to Graven Hall.
The school’s large playground space is also being expanded, thanks to the fundraising efforts of Koraes School families. Other facility improvements include the replacement of roofs on the hall, gymnasium, lobby, offices, and school, as well as updates to the school’s HVAC systems. Overall upgrades to lighting, plumbing, and electrical systems have been completed or are nearing completion.
Communal worship services are held every Sunday, with the Matins service beginning at 8:15 a.m. and the Divine Liturgy at 9:30 a.m.
“We encourage everyone in our community, and the wider community of Palos Hills, to join us. We are open to all,” Christofylakis said.