Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, Columbia

Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Columbia stands as a spiritual and cultural anchor for the Greek-American community in South Carolina. Founded in 1936 by a small group of Greek immigrants, the church quickly became a vital center for worship and fellowship in the Midlands region. Originally known as the Assumption Greek Orthodox Parish, it officially joined the Archdiocese of North and South America in 1942.

As the community grew, so did the need for a larger place of worship. In 1949, a new church was constructed at the corner of Sumter and Calhoun Streets, designed by the respected South Carolina architect Heyward Singley. This sanctuary showcased Colonial Revival features such as fluted pilasters and a broken pediment in the vestibule-elements that added classical elegance to the building.

By 1988, the church’s influence had expanded beyond worship, launching an annual Greek Festival that continues to attract thousands of visitors each year for food, music, and cultural celebrations.

The need for more space led to another significant milestone: the consecration of a $6 million sanctuary in 2011. The event, known as Thyranoixia (door-opening ceremony), was presided over by Metropolitan Alexios of the Metropolis of Atlanta and included Archbishop Demetrios, highlighting the church’s importance within the wider Greek Orthodox community.

Today, Holy Trinity is preparing to open a new Byzantine-style sanctuary, a modern space that combines tradition with comfort. Designed with arches, stone interiors, electric conduits, and air conditioning, the new building continues the church’s mission of blending faith, heritage, and community service. The original 1949 sanctuary still stands and is used for smaller services, preserving a tangible link to the past.

Inside the church, worshippers and visitors can admire vivid iconography-an essential part of Greek Orthodox worship that visually expresses the belief in God as the creator through detailed, sacred art.