Diocese: Albanian Archdiocese
Deanery: Great Lakes Deanery
Address
103 Palmer St
Jamestown, New York 14702
Mailing address:
PO Box 1274
Jamestown, NY 14702-1274
Email:
Website: stelia.org
Parish Contacts
Lay Leadership
Directions
From I 86 Exit 12 (Route 60 South)
From I 90 Exit 59 Fredonia (Route 60 South)
Follow Route 60 South into Jamestown. Stay on Main St. for approximately one mile. *Just under the railroad bridge, at the next light (Friendly’s Restaurant), turn right onto Harrison St. **At the all way stop sign, under the next bridge, turn left onto Barrett Ave. In about 50-75 yards, take the right fork onto Baker Street. Follow Baker St. for three blocks. At the third street, turn right onto Sprague St. and go up to the stop sign. Church will be on the left at the corner of Sprague and Palmer Sts.
From the West Side, follow Route 394 East into Jamestown. In about a mile, turn right onto Main St. and follow directions above*.
From the East Side, Follow Route 394 West into Jamestown. In about two miles, turn Left onto Main St. and follow the directions above*.
From the South Side, Follow Route 60 North (Arterial) to Main St. Turn right onto Main St. and at the next light, turn left onto Harrison St. (Friendly’s and CVS Drugs) and follow directions above**.
Schedule of Services
Divine Liturgy at 11:00 Saturday Morning. Liturgy is served twice per month Please visit the Schedule of Services on the parish website,or call 716-483-5836 for current schedule. All are welcome.
Parish Background
In 1911, the Rev Fan S. Noli, later the Metropolitan of the Albanian Orthodox Cathedral of St George in Boston, MA, conducted the first services for a handful of early Albanian immigrants in Russell House on Third St. From 1914 to 1919, the congregation held regular services in that hall. During the years of 1919 to 1925, they worshipped in the Odd Fellows Hall and subsequently moved to the Market St Hall. By 1930 their numbers had grown and their strong desire to build a church of their own was finally fulfilled. Their first church was built on Sprague St Hill and was named after the Prophet Elijah. The committee which led the construction effort was composed of Andrew Vishnia, chairman, Nikolla Manno, Thanas Ndrio, Louis Vrusho, Vani Dhima, Theodore Thomas, Thomas Shagla, Alex Poda, Christo Duro, and Charles Viska. They were supported, in this endeavor, by the church faithful.
A number of priests served the church through the years with the Rev George Loli serving as pastor for many years starting in 1944. Father Victor George faithfully served as priest for 25 years. The Ladies Society, “Daughters of St Elia” was organized in 1930 with Helen Kote as chairman. The church choir was introduced in 1937 with Virginia Andrews Semo as its first director; and today, Nicholas Manno serves as Chanter.
In 1955, the city of Jamestown acquired the church property on Sprague St. and the Brooklyn Heights Methodist Church, located at 103 Palmer St., was purchased by the Congregation. It took countless volunteer hours and many hands to convert the church to Orthodox standards.
Liturgies are held twice a month on Saturdays at 11:00 AM by Father John P. Hutnyan of Cheektowaga, NY. Call 716-483-5836 for current schedule. Following Liturgies, coffee hours are held in the church hall.
In 2011, St. Elia celebrated 100 years of Orthodoxy in the Jamestown area. People of various ethnic backgrounds now participate in our Liturgies, which are conducted in English. Everyone is always welcome to attend.
