Saint-Nectarios Church History

Early History:

The Saint Nectarios Parish of Covina, California was established on October 12, 1973. Church Services commenced at St. John’s Episcopal Church in La Verne, California, on June 30, 1974. Reverend George Hadjis (1974 -1975) was the first priest to hold regular Liturgy on Sundays for the newly founded Greek Orthodox Church which was then named as Covina-Pomona Valley Greek Orthodox Church in the City of La Verne, California. He was succeeded by Archimandrite the Very Reverend Paul Koutoukas (1975-1977) who was the first full time priest assigned to the Covina-Pomona Valley Greek Orthodox Church.

Ground Breaking:

In May of 1976, property was purchased in Covina for the purpose of building a temporary church. In June of 1976 the name of St. Nectarios Greek Orthodox Church, by an overwhelming vote, was selected as the patron Saint of the parish. Father Spiro Pieratos was transferred from St. Sophia Parish San Antonio Texas to St. Nectarios Greek Orthodox Church. He served as a full time priest from 1977 until his retirement in 1993. Ground-breaking for construction took place in November of 1978. Actual construction began in 1979, with the first Liturgy being celebrated on June 15, 1980.