The History of Saint Thomas Eastern Orthodox Church
The parish of St. Thomas was founded by a group of dedicated women who believed that something needed to be done to keep the Very Reverend Father Christo B. Christoff from leaving Akron after he had announced his resignation at another parish due to ideological differences. After sending out 350 postcards to families of the Macedonian and Bulgarian heritage and receiving favorable responses, a meeting was held on Sunday, 08 November 1959 at the Akron YMCA under the very capable direction of the Very Reverend Nicholas Kobbs, then pastor of St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church.
After Fr. Kobbs’ inspiring remarks all present voted unanimously to retain Fr. Christoff and form a new parish dedicated to St. Thomas the Apostle. However, the task was not easy. His Eminence, Archbishop Andrey, required that this new community purchase a building immediately prior to his giving a blessing for a second church in Akron. A church building was thereby purchased at 870 Copley Road and dedicated on 20 February 1960 by Bishop Andrey. Soon thereafter a Ladies Church Society, Youth Choir and Church Choir and large Church School program were thriving in the church, with many wonderful memories being made over the next two decades.
In short time, the mortgage was retired and talk generated around the desire to have a new facility designed from the ground up as our own. The dreams became more real as first a tract of land was purchased on Schocalog Road, and later a more desirable five- acre parcel on Cleveland-Massillon Road was found. After another congregation purchased our church on Copley Road, arrangements were made to use the auxiliary Chapel at St. Paul Episcopal Church in Akron for our Sunday worship during the construction of the new facility.
On 2 May 1976 (Saint Thomas Sunday), His Grace Bishop Simeon blessed the ground breaking, assisted by Fr. Christoff. Construction began in June 1976 and the new church complex was completed two years later with seating in the sanctuary for 250; a fellowship hall, classrooms and office underneath; plus a foyer, kitchen and large banquet hall seating 400. His Holiness Patriarch Maxim performed the consecration with diocesan and guest clergy on 3 September 1978, imbedding the relics of St. Trifin the Martyr into the Altar Table.
For the next two decades, the church prospered under the love and pastoral guidance of our beloved Father Christoff and Popadia Mary. After 37 years of dedication and fatherly love and affection, Fr. Christoff announced his retirement and now enjoys the blessings of retirement in sunny Arizona. The Very Reverend Father James Wright assumed pastoral duties in 1994 and holds that post today.
As St. Thomas continues to be a spiritual beacon for many in the surrounding community in this new millennium, the words of His Holiness at the church’s consecration are most appropriate: “This house was created by the Father. This house was built stronger by the Son. This house was renovated by the Holy Spirit.”