CHURCHES: The Greek Orthodox Church of Altoona, Blair County, PA

Material in this file was transcribed from Chapter IX, "The Churches of Blair 
County," pp. 200-201, of the book, Blair County's First Hundred Years, 1846-
1946.  Altoona, PA: Blair County Historical Society, The Mirror Press, 1945.  
Courtesy of the Blair County Historical Society, 3419 Oak Lane, P.O. Box 
1083, Altoona, PA 16603.  
http://www.blaircohistoricalsociety.homestead.com/home.html

Contributed by Judy Banja jbanja@msn.com

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                           THE GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH

                               V. A. Notopoulos

  When in the latter part of the Nineteenth Century the Greek began to leave 
his homeland to emigrate to the western world, he brought with him his 
ideals, customs, and spiritual beliefs. Next to his home, the Greek loves his 
church; in fact, his home and church are one and inalienable in his thoughts 
and daily life. He adheres loyally to his religion because he is born to it, 
because his church has limned its character in his soul and ramified its 
dogmas in every part of his spiritual being.
  In the years directly following the turn of this century, a number of Greek 
families migrated to Altoona to establish their homes. There were 
approximately twelve families, and as there was no Orthodox place of worship 
in the city, they worshipped separately or in small groups in their 
individual homes. This was not the type of worship to which they were 
accustomed, and therefore not what they wanted to continue in their newly 
organized colony. Desiring unity, they banded together under the leadership 
of Mr. Anastasius Notopoulos and his wife, and the unorganized Greek colony 
soon became an organized Orthodox community.
  By the late 'teens this movement was progressing rapidly. A third floor 
hall on the main street in the vicinity of Fifteenth Street was rented and 
converted into a chapel. Selected by his fellow Greeks to act as their 
religious guide, Mr. Notopoulos secured the first priest of this newly 
acquired chapel. Priests from the surrounding communities were invited to 
journey to Altoona to administer to the congregation. And so the church was 
established.
  Naturally the congregation was desirous of owning and worshipping in a 
regular Orthodox church edifice. A church fund was inaugurated, which was 
soon large enough to justify looking for a site. At a general convention a 
committee was nominated with Mr. Notopoulos as chairman. A petition was made 
to the state for a charter. It was to be known as the Hellenic Community of 
the Holy Trinity - Agia Trias - of Altoona, Pennsylvania.
  As the Hebrew Synagogue on the corner of Thirteenth Avenue and Fifteenth 
Street was being offered for sale this appeared to be an excellent 
opportunity, and negotiations were immediately made for its purchase. In 1924 
this edifice, said to be one of the most elegant of its kind, became known as 
the Holy Orthodox Hellenic Church of the Holy Trinity.
  Thus the struggling Greek colony of less than half a century ago is today 
one of the leading religious organizations in the community, numbering among 
its small congregation some of Altoona's most prominent citizens. Although 
the enrollment has increased gradually, there are approximately fifty Greek 
families affiliated with the church at the present time.
_____
Victor A. Notopoulos - a native of Altoona, Pa. Attended the University of 
Pennsylvania, majored in accounting. Is associated with his father in real 
estate and theatre enterprises.

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