St. George Greek Orthodox Church, Knoxville

The Greek Orthodox community in Knoxville was founded around 1915 when the Cazana family arrived in the area, followed by many other Greek families. Their main goal was to preserve their Orthodox religion, Greek heritage, and customs, which led them to establish the St. George Hellenic Community Club in 1934.

The first Greek Orthodox Divine Liturgy in Knoxville was held in 1935 by Father Demetrios Cassis. In 1939, the community received an official state charter, and in 1946, they were able to purchase their own building, the old Baptist church on Broadway, which became St. George Greek Orthodox Church.

However, as the community grew, they needed a bigger building and bought a new property on Kingston Pike where a new church was built in 1968, with the altar consecrated in 1978. The new building followed Byzantine-style architecture and was adorned with beautiful mosaic icons. It serves as a visible symbol of the Orthodox Christian faith in the Knoxville community and is open for visitors to come and explore.

St. George Greek Orthodox Church is also a cultural center for the Greek community in Knoxville. The church hosts a Greek Festival each year, which is a celebration of Greek food, music, and dance. The festival attracts visitors from all over the region and is a highlight of the local cultural calendar.