Faith, family and community since 1974
The Beginning
In 1974, Greek Orthodox families in Chicago’s northwest suburbs began organizing a new parish. They received an Illinois charter in the name of St. Nectarios, at the time the only church in the country named for the beloved modern saint and wonderworker.
The first Divine Liturgy was celebrated on November 10, 1974, at the Rolling Meadows High School Auditorium, right after the feast of St. Nectarios. The early years were full of worship, fellowship, fundraising and fast-growing Sunday and Greek Schools.
A Permanent Home
In 1976 the parish bought property on Roselle Road in Palatine. A small building was renovated into a chapel, and the Door Opening service was celebrated that September. A larger church followed in 1983, the community center in 1989 and the gymnasium in 2006.
Over the years the parish has been shepherded by Fr. Zanis, Fr. Voucanos, Fr. Strouzas, Fr. Treantafeles, Fr. Photos and Fr. Balkas, and since 2019 by Fr. Chris Mihalopoulos.
Our Story Through the Years
Each generation prepared the parish for the next.
November 10, 1974
The First Divine Liturgy
The day after the feast of St. Nectarios, the new parish gathers for its first Liturgy in the Rolling Meadows High School Auditorium.
January 13, 1976
Chartered by the Archdiocese
The parish receives its ecclesiastical charter, the only church in the country named for St. Nectarios at the time.
September 26, 1976
A Home on Roselle Road
A small building on newly purchased property is renovated into a chapel and opened with a Door Opening service.
June 19, 1983
A New Church
One year after the June 20, 1982 groundbreaking, the larger church is completed for a growing community.
September 24, 1989
The Community Center
The community center opens, giving Sunday School, Greek School and parish fellowship room to grow.
September 23–24, 2000
Consecration
St. Nectarios Church is consecrated, a milestone in the parish’s first quarter century.
2006
The Gymnasium
The gymnasium opens for education, athletics and fellowship.
January 15, 2019
Fr. Chris Mihalopoulos
Fr. Chris, who first served here as lay assistant in 2013, returns as Proistamenos.
November 9, 2024
Golden Jubilee
Fifty years on the feast of St. Nectarios. Archbishop Elpidophoros notes ours was the first parish in the Archdiocese named for the saint.
August 2025
Fr. Patrick O’Rourke
Fr. Patrick, Presvytera Jessica and their sons join the St. Nectarios family.
Our mission today
Rooted, Growing, Bearing Fruit
Rooted in Orthodox Christian worship, growing as stewards, and producing spiritual fruit for ourselves and our neighbors.
Our vision: a community transformed by the grace of Jesus Christ.
Our story is not only about buildings. It is about families worshiping together, children learning the faith, ministries caring for others and parishioners offering their gifts, generation after generation.
