The Greek Orthodox Church of the Hamptons marks a historic milestone as construction of the new church and community center begins, and concludes the church’s seven year struggle to build a new church providing appropriate and adequate space for the growing community’s faithful religious, cultural and social needs. The construction of the new church succeeds the celebration of Easter, celebrating the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, and signifying renewal, and new beginnings for the community at large.

The new cruciform sanctuary will be constructed in the tradition 6th century Byzantine architecture, complete with a 60 foot high copper dome. Eventually, the church’s interior will be covered with colorful panels of traditional Orthodox iconography depicting the life of Christ and many Orthodox Saints. “The church is designed to draw all of the faithfull’s senses and attention to prayer and toward God” according to the church’s pastor, Fr. Alex Karloutsos.

The plans call for a cultural center, which will house classrooms, administrative offices, and a library as well as a community center, which will accommodate larger cultural, social and educational events. Highlights of the new facility include:

• Liturgically designed sanctuary permitting members to worship together facing East in the longstanding Orthodox Christian tradition.

• Capacity for 250 people on the main floor of the Sanctuary.

• Dedicated classrooms for Sunday School, Greek Language & Cultural Institute, and adult education programs.

• Dedicated meeting space for the various ministries and organizations of the parish.

• Infrastructure to accommodate the church’s ministries and administrative needs .

• A library with an extensive collection of texts relevant to Orthodox Christianity and Hellenism.

• Dedicated community Center to accommodate The Zoullas Memorial Lecture Series, fellowship gatherings and large assemblies of the faithful.

The construction of the church is expected to last for eighteen months. West Rak, a local general contractor, will build the complex, designed by Edmundo and Gilberto Lopez, and the work will be overseen by the church’s owner’s representative, School Construction Consultants.

While the fundraising effort is well under way, the church is blessed to have received generous donations and support from many within and outside the Southampton parish. Notably, Coula Johnides, has pledged 1 million dollars toward the project. Three anonymous donors have pledged a total of $4 million dollars for the construction, while Bill and Linda Stavropoulos have pledged $500,000 toward the realization of the parish’s vision for the future.

Additionally, many members of the church and broader community have offered their products and services in-kind to contribute the success of the church’s effort to expand. Revco, Guillo Construction, PJ Mechanical, and Bouras Steel of New Jersey are among those who have made such commitments. The parish is reaching out to all its members, hoping that all will participate in the capital campaign. “To make it our church, we all really have to give what we can. While we do need to meet our goal, it is not the size of the gift that is most important, but the full participation of our members,” commented Fr. Constantine Lazarakis.

This historical expansion will accommodate the communities growing parish, achieve a greater fidelity to the architectural and liturgical traditions of the Greek Orthodox faith, and will allow the Greek Orthodox Church of the Hamptons to continue as a thriving and vibrant part of Long Island’s East End community.

For more information, visit www.KimisisHamptons.org/BuildingProject

ABOUT THE GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH OF THE HAMPTONS
In 1977, a few Greek Orthodox families started discussing the possibility of building a church in the Hamptons. Although, at that time, the idea seemed far-fetched, they commenced on a building program. Every time the community was confronted by stumbling blocks, it seemed those blocks were miraculously turned into stepping stones. With the stewardship of countless benefactors and volunteers, The Greek Orthodox Community of the Hamptons was moving steadily toward its goal.

In 1980, the Archdiocese assigned Father Nectarios Kehagias to serve the faithful who were holding meetings in their homes and worship services at Southampton College. The first Divine Liturgy was celebrated on Mother’s Day in the spring of that same year. The Church family began to understand that if the sacred building was to be erected it first must be built in the hearts of the believers. Small miraculous moments opened up the hearts of many and the dream of a Church was finally taking shape. The existing parcel of land was bought in 1980 from Southampton College.

From 1980 to 1983, the parishioners were able to raise some funds towards the building. Members, as well as summer residents and visitors, all started pouring in their love, by offering their time, talent and treasure. By the spring of 1986, the basic structure was in place. The dream had become a reality. The church was named in honor of the Dormition of the Virgin Mary, Kimisis Tis Theotokou, and His Grace Bishop Athenagoras officially opened the church in August 1986.

Since 1986, the Greek Orthodox Church of the Hamptons has become an integral part of the Hamptons Community. The church consistently supports Head Start of Bridgehampton, members represent the church each year at the Polar Bear Plunge, the community offers the Greek Festival of the Hamptons on an annual basis, supports Veterans of Foreign War, and has become the spiritual home of Hampton residents of every cultural background.

On August 15, 2000, His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America, leader of some 1.5 million Greek Orthodox Christians, made the first pastoral visit of an Archbishop to the Church. In November of 2002, Archbishop Demetrios’s predecessor, Archbishop Iakovos (1911-2005), visited the parish and was honored by the community for his years of service. The highly esteemed church leader, at 91 years of age, officiated in worship services and blessed the communities drive to build a new church.
On February 14, 2006, twenty years after the opening of the doors of the Southampton Parish, the church was honored and blessed to receive His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, Archbishop of Constantinople, New Rome and Ecumenical Patriarch. His All Holiness Bartholomew is the 269th successor of Stint Andrew the Apostle, the brother of Saint Peter, the “first among equals” and spiritual father of all Orthodox Christians throughout the world. The Ecumenical Patriarch blessed individually all the faithful present and also offered His blessings and wholehearted congratulations for the building program.
Since, 1998, Father Alexander Karloutsos has served the Church as presiding pastor, and oversees the entire life of the Church with the support and cooperation of the Parish Council and all who volunteer, assist, and labor for the Parish.

In August 2010, Father Constantine Lazarakis officially joined Fr. Alex as co-pastor and has assumed full time pastoral responsibilities for the community.

The Church understands itself not simply a place, but as a people; never a simple fold but always a flock; not only a sacred building but always a believing assembly. Like the Apostles who were inspired by the Holy Spirit 2000 years ago, the Church believes that it can only be built and sustained by God, in whom they have placed their trust.

Learn more about our parish history, visit www.KimisisHamptons.org/ParishLife/History