First Church of St George
1929 – 1958

During 1922, the first Parish Priest, Archimandrite David Maravelis arrived in Brisbane and accordingly held his services at St Luke’s Anglican Church in Charlotte Street in the City.

Later that year, the Church sub-committee of the Greek Community of Brisbane, under the direction of John Stratigakis, Efstratios Christofidis, Peter Aroney, John Mavromatis and Minas Tsikleas, purchased a property in Russell Street, South Brisbane (the present Hellenic House – Kafenio) with the vision of building a Church in accordance with the wishes of the majority of the Greeks of Brisbane. However, another body of opinion existed who wanted the Church to be built in front of the exisiting Hellenic Club in Charlotte Street.

In 1927, with the guidance of the then Honorary Consul-General for Greece, Christy Freeleagus, and others, a General Meeting was held and a decision to build the Church in Charlotte Street was agreed upon.

In 1928, during a brief visit to Brisbane, Metropolitan Christoforous Knitis ordained Elias Kotiathis from Rhodes as the new Parish Priest to succeed Archimadrite Daniel Maravelis. During 1928, work on the erection of the Church commenced.

On the 31 March 1929 the Foundation Stone was laid and the Church was named in honour of Saint George.

Although small, this Church served the needs of its congregation for 30 years.