The Beginning

Greek immigrants began arriving in Wisconsin in the early part of the 20th century, seeking economic opportunity in America and to escape oppression and war in Greece. They brought their rich cultural heritage with them. Having no place of worship in Madison, they drove to Milwaukee, Rockford and Fond du Lac to carry on the Greek Orthodox faith.

A Church is Established

After the war ended the army base that provided servicemen with Orthodox Church services was dismantled. This propelled a group of Orthodox people to investigate and realize their dream of having their own Church community in Madison. In 1951 Assumption Greek Orthodox Church (AGOC) was organized and incorporated. The first services were held at Grace Episcopal Church on the square. Soon followed the purchase of the Bashford Methodist Church building that houses the present day AGOC on East Washington Avenue and North 7th Street.

Critical to the future of the Church, renovation efforts were lead by Alex Frunza, a member and an architect from Romania. He brought forth a plan to remodel the existing Church structure to improve the building, and to transform it into a traditional Orthodox Church. Because of his tireless efforts and his own monetary contributions, the Sunday School gained new space, the dome, apse, nave and iconostasis (icon screen) were remodelled and a Bishop's throne was constructed. His efforts insured that AGOC would have a home and presence for a long time in Madison.

By 1963 the Choir was established and necessary altar implements were purchased, leading the way for Father Nicolas Katinas, who was the first priest assigned to the Madison Church.

Father Katinas was a dynamic priest, and the young AGOC gained solid footing in the Madison community under his guidance. An annual community picnic was begun (the origin of today's Greek Fest); UW-Madison History Professor, Michael Petrovich, a Serbian and a talented musician, was recruited to lead the choir, leaving a lasting legacy; the Hellenic Women's Society became a chapter of The Philoptochos Society ("friends of the poor"), a parish house was purchased; and Father Katinas himself, founded the Othodox Students Society for the students at the University of Wisconsin.

The Church Continues to Develop

After Father Katinas departed from this parish, Father Anthony Gergiannakis arrived to lead the community. After five productive years, he left to continue his illustrious career, later to become Bishop Anthony, and eventually Metropolitan Anthony.

Additonal priests came to lead the Church including Father John Mangos, MD, Reverend Father George Dounelis, Father Andrew Koufopoulos, Reverend Father Joseph Tzougros,
Economos, and currently Father R. Michael Vanderhoef. Notably Father Joseph was the community's longest residing priest for 25 years, raising his family there and encouraging the progression of property expansion. His son, George Tzougros devotionally directs the choir of notariaty of this region. It carries on the traditional liturgical music written by Professor Michael Petrovich.

When the renovation of the Church began, David Giffey, our resident iconographer assisted in selecting the icons for the new interior. His involvement in this project ignited his love and interest of iconography, travelling to the monastaries of Greece to learn the techniques involved in this holy artistic tradition of the Orthodox faith.

Present Day

Today our Church community flourishes. We remember the founders and the many individuals and families that helped to build and let thrive, Assumption Greek Orthodox Church of Madison. We are a worshiping multi-cultural community some of which include, Greeks, Serbians, Russians, Ukranians, Croatians, Arabs, Armenians, and Ethiopians.
We welcome you to come visit us in worship and in fellowship.