Oakland, California
Ascension Historical Society
History
Greek American History,
The Hellenic Community of Oakland and Vicinity
Early Community
By the end of the nineteenth century, Greeks had already settled and opened their own businesses in the city of Oakland and its vicinity. Until 1905, the early East Bay immigrants traveled by ferry boat to San Francisco's Russian Orthodox Holy Trinity Church. In that year, 1905, the Greek Orthodox Holy Trinity church was built in San Francisco.
By 1914, Greeks, Syrians, Lebanese were celebrating the Divine Liturgy together in a rented hall in Oakland with a visiting priest officiating. "The Hellenic Community of Oakland and Vicinity" was formally chartered by the State of California on February 16, 1917.
Original Church Building
Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption
Four years later, on May 21, 1921, Oakland's Greek Orthodox Church, the first in the East Bay area, was dedicated with more than 250 people in attendance [— photos]. It was dedicated to the Koimisis (the Dormition of the Mother God). The Adamantios Koraes Hall, built in part by volunteer labor in 1932, served as a community center and provided space for classrooms.
Eventually, the community outgrew these facilities in downtown Oakland. The original property and building were sold in 1960, in favor of the site of our new church building, which was constructed in the Oakland hills and is dedicated to the Analypsis (the Ascension of Our Savior).
Although the original church building was slated for demolition in 1976 to make way for an interstate highway, the building was rescued by a very small group of dedicated individuals. These same few people would later establish the Ascension Historical Society.
We found that the old church building met the national and state criteria for architectural and cultural significance.
We were able, therefore, to have it listed on both the U.S.A. National Register and the California State Register as an Historical Landmark.
We were also able to have the building moved by the California Transportation Commission for preservation.
The old church building still stands in its original form in Oakland. It stands today as a memorial to those pioneers who established our community, a monument to their contributions, a beacon reflecting their aspiriations.
Resources about the Saving and Moving of the Original Building
Ascension Historical Society resources on-line:
Library of Congress, American Memory, Historical Collections for the National Digital Library:
- Photos, ten black and white with captions, 1978.
- Data Pages,
Historic American Buildings Survey, Heritage Conservation and Recreation Service, Department of the Interior, four pages, 1979:
Newer Church Building
Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Ascension
The doors of our magnificent new edifice, the Church of the Ascension, were opened on December 11, 1960.
This new building is known for its architectural merit, blending stunning modern elements and secure traditional designs. Our education building was constructed at the same time as the new church-edifice and continues to meet many of the religious educational needs of the community. It also met the social needs of the community until 1976, when our community center was completed and dedicated.
The parish was elevated to the status of a cathedral in February 1992. The Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Ascension has evolved from a predominantly immigrant society into one that now spans six generations. It entered the new millennium as a vibrant and diversified community.
90th Anniversary of the Hellenic Community
The 90th Anniversary of the Hellenic Community of Oakland and Vicinity was commemorated with a History Exhibit and Champagne Reception hosted by the Ascension Historical Society, November 30th, 2007.
More Information about the Cathedral
Visit the Ascension Cathedral website for information about the cathedral and the cathedral's current events.
- The Ascension Historical Committee (AHC) was founded by a very few individuals, laity, of this parish in 1989.
- We changed our name to the Ascension Historical Society (AHS) in 2007 to reflect our growth.
