A Brief History

Sts. Constantine & Helens Greek Orthodox Parish was founded in 1925 by a group of dedicated families who recognized the need for a facility that would serve the growing Greek Orthodox community in East St. Louis, Illinois.

The newly established Parish purchased property at 1133 Gaty Avenue in East St. Louis that met the needs of the community until 1951, when the Parish moved to a larger property at 6925 State Street in East St. Louis. A Parish Hall was first constructed that served as a meeting place and Church until 1956, when the Church building was completed.  The new Church could accommodate about 260 worshipers and featured beautiful, traditional Byzantine iconography.

The State Street Church met the needs of the Parish until 1980, when a decision was made to move to our current location in Swansea, Illinois. Because the group that purchased our Church and hall in East St. Louis insisted on immediate occupancy, we had not yet been able to complete the design and construction of our new Church.  By God’s grace, John and Joe Kassly of Kassly Mortuary, graciously permitted us to use their chapel, without charge from April 1980 until November 1982, which is when we completed our new Church home at 405 Huntwood Road in Swansea.

Over the years our Parish has grown spiritually, with many new members, many of whom are converts to the Orthodox Faith, and structurally, with the addition of a new hall and classrooms that were added in 2007. 

Sts. Constantine & Helens Greek Orthodox Parish will be celebrating its 100th Anniversary in May 2025!