Text Box: St. Nicholas Orthodox Church

Text Box: Beckley, West Virginia

Text Box: About Us

Text Box: The History of St. Nicholas Antiochian Orthodox Church Beckley, West Virginia   Saint Nicholas Orthodox Church of Beckley , WV came about in response to the needs of many individuals who came to Beckley to become part of the economy that was built around the local coal mines. Organized in 1943, with the late Metropolitan Antony Bashir of blessed memory presiding at the first meeting, the church grew quickly. A year later a lot for the church was purchased at the present site on South Heber Street. Despite the shortages generated by World War II, then still raging, the community began to build a church, first with the lower portion, which now serves as the Church Hall. After the War ended, the post-war boom led to economic improvement and by 1957 the second story, the church proper, was completed. The church was dedicated by Metropolitan Anthony, on June 23 of the same year. In 1965 the current rectory was purchased.   In October of 1967, Metropolitan Philip Saliba, who succeeded the late Metropolitan Antony in 1966, consecrated the church, placing into the Holy Table the relics of St. Sebastian the Martyr. Two years later, the mortgage was burned and in 1970 the church hall was remodeled.   During the intervening years the decline of the coal industry around the nation took its toll on Beckley as well. The resulting economic short fall was felt by every one including the parish. Many young people left West Virginia after completing their education. In some cases whole families, chose to move out of state rather than see their businesses dissolve in front of them. As a result the community slowly decreased in size. Since 1993 the community has begun to recover. St. Nicholas Church, the only Orthodox Church in Beckley, has opened its arms to all who wish to embrace the faith of the apostles, who were “first called Christians in Antioch .” (Acts 11:26 ).   Several pastors served the spiritual needs of the community in the intervening years. Chief among them were the founding pastor, Fr. Michael Hubak, Archimandrite Basil Kazan, and the late Very Reverend Economos Zacharia Nasr who was appointed pastor in 1970. He was followed by Frs. Thomas Galloway, Vladimir Demschuk, Paul Nemr, Archimandrite Denis Lajoie, and Reverend Michael Tassos . On September 1, 2002 , the Reverend Father Samuel Haddad was assigned as the current pastor.  

Blank