Holy Church of “Saint Demetrios”

History of St Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church Prahran

The Committee in its quest to service the religious needs of its members in the inner suburbs of Melbourne decided to establish the Holy Church of “St. Demetrios” which is located in High St. Prahran and has been conducting masses for over forty years.

Purchased in 1963 by the Board of Management of the GOCMV, the property cost 40,000 pounds and according to the minutes of a board meeting dated 6^th August 1963, it consisted of an old church, a hall a kindergarten and an adjoining house.

It was also noted that when purchased the church was 70 years old; the minutes gave great detail about the new property.

“With a capacity to seat 500 in the church and 200 and 250 respectively the hall which was divided into two rooms. The church’s roof is constructed of slate and the adjoining house consisted of seven rooms to the value of 7000 Pounds; the property also had two flats to the value of 8000 Pounds and kitchen facilities.”

Through generous donations and local parishioner fundraising events the church temple was later built and ecclesiastic icons and chandeliers were purchased, transforming the old church into an impressive place of Orthodox worship.