St Johns The Baptist Greek Orthodox Church, Johannesburg, South Africa

Historical Details

Build - Founding Year:

1940

History:

In 1937, efforts to establish the Community were led by T. Katakouzinos, Giorgos Kantiotis, D. Christellis, and D. Cavalleros. According to Imbros newspaper, most migrants were Imbrians, with smaller numbers from Limnos, Ithaca, and Kefalonia. X. Christellis was the first Imbrian settler in Germiston, later joined by his brothers Nikolaos, Georgios, Panagis Christellis, and others. In February 1954, 55 family men in Germiston signed a letter to the Community of East Rand in Brakpan, seeking membership, including Greeks from Primrose and Edenvale. This move reflected their frustration in forming an independent community. The East Rand Community accepted them, defining its jurisdiction to include Germiston, Benoni, Brakpan, Springs, Heidelberg, Delmas, and Witbank. The Hellenic Community of Germiston and Districts was formally established in 1955. The first committee, chaired by Dimitri Cavaleros, served until 1961. Committee members included V. Katakouzinos, G. Candiotes, J. Christelis, S. Konstandinou, S. Sevastidis, Michalaros, A. Candiotes, N. Christelis, and G. Momongos. They laid the foundation for the community and its grounds. The first annual dance was held on September 17, 1958, attended by Mayor S. J. Hattingh and Greek Ambassador Georgios Kapsabelis. The Hellenic Ladies Association was founded in 1957, working closely with the Executive Committee on social events, fundraisers, and visits to the elderly. Prominent members included Vera Konsta and Paraskevi Lazaridou. In 1959, John and Evangelia Pavlakelis donated £30,000, enabling the purchase of land from Simmer and Jack Mines for the church and community hall. By the late 1960s, a new wave of Greek and Cypriot immigrants arrived, boosting participation in social and religious activities. Between 1964-1969, chairman Savva Sevastides led a committee including Nicholas Tzanos, Nicholas Economides, Solly Constantinides, and Vasili Rodokanakis. In 1969, a surge in membership revitalized projects, including the construction of St. John the Baptist Church, a Greek school, and a community hall. The small hall initially served as a temporary church under Pater Sotirios, brought from Greece by chairman Ilias Scafidas. The committee included George Daniel, Andrea Mavromatis, Nicholas Tzanos, Costa Michaelides, Nicholas Economides, and Solly Konstantinou. A dedicated ladies' committee, including Anna Christelis, Mrs. Constas, Mrs. Holland, Mrs. Koultubanis, Mrs. Rodokanakis, and Mrs. Eleftheriou, supported fundraising and event catering. The church was completed in 1971 and inaugurated by Bishop Paul Lingris during Jack Limberis' chairmanship. The community also established a 17-member education subcommittee, chaired by Giorgio Lambrakis for many years. Between 1975-1985, around 70 children attended the Greek school, which also housed a library with books donated by the Greek State. The 5th Hellenic Scout Group, founded by Spiro Boutsias, and a folk dancing group led by Mary Vasilliou contributed to cultural preservation. In 1988, under chairman Vasili Skoularikis, construction of the community hall began, completed in 2003 under chairman Nikolaos Giokos. Community fundraising efforts made this possible. With expanded facilities, the community hosted organizations such as the Limnian Brotherhood, Imbrian Society, Macedonian Society, Pan Cretan Society, Epnek (Cultural Movement), NAHYSOSA (Hellenic Youth), and the Federation of Hellenic Communities of South Africa. The Hellenic Community of Germiston remains one of Gauteng's strongest, thriving through the dedication of priests, committee members, and supporters. We honor those who built this legacy and those who will continue it, ensuring the community grows from strength to strength.