Overview

A major aspect of Astoria’s cultural atmosphere is the diversity of the neighborhood’s religious houses. Astoria's houses of worship cater to a variety of different faiths. The majority of churches are geared towards Greeks, and the recent rapid growth in the number of Greek Orthodox churches can be attributed to the large influx of Greeks to America in the mid-20th century^[1]. Most of the churches are concentrated along 30th Avenue, as well as on Broadway St. St. Demetrios Cathedral in particular is considered by many to be the area's most prominent church of the Greek Orthodox faith. Other temples and churches are geared towards the Asians in the area, most of whom came to America in the 1960s^[2]. There are some mosques in the neighborhood as well, and a major one is the Al-Hikmah Mosque located on 31st Avenue. Below is a small sampling of the many cultural houses offered to Astoria’s populace.

Greek Orthodox Churches

St. Demetrios Cathedral

The interior of Astoria's famous St. Demtrios Cathedral

St. Demetrios Cathedral is located on the intersection of 31st street and 30th Drive in Astoria Queens. Erected in 1927, the church serves the Hellenic-American population of the neighborhood^[3]. The church is actually one of Astoria's two largest Greek Orthodox churches, the other being St. Irene of Chrysovalantou (located on 23rd Avenue).

In terms of architectural style, the building itself is reminiscent of older Byzantine churches. Its high arching stained glass windows are also reflective of a distinctly American style. Greek characters adorn each wall, and flags of Greece stand tall throughout.

The church offers a variety of different services, ranging from blessing a new office or home to holding services for those about to go to war. Funeral services are also provided, as well as exorcisms^[4].

George Matsis was assigned to St. Demetrios on April 15, 2005. Born on the island of Rhodes in Greece, Matsis arrived in America in 1961. His early schooling took place in Astoria Queens, where he would spend his Sundays in St. Demetrios Cathedral. He has been appointed numerous titles in his illustrious career, including Secretary of the Archdiocese Benefits Committee and president of various other clergies.

Greek Orthodox members of the church congregate every Sunday in order to have mass. Attendance, according to Mr. Matsis, is usually very good. The first major wave of Greek immigration to the United States occurred in the early 20th century, when 70,000 Greeks arrived at Ellis Island between 1918 and 1924^[5]. To accommodate this massive influx, the church was erected and still stands tall today.

Greek Evangelical Church

Located on 41-01 Ditmars Blvd, the Greek Evangelical Church was founded in 1923 by a Ioannis Xenides, who immigrated to New York in 1915. The church was incorporated in 1976, at which point it had about 27 members. The current congregation consists about 5 elders and 22 members.

Modestly-sized, the church is located on quiet, tree-lined corner, and is reminiscent of the old country. The church caters to the neighborhood Presbyterians and has all the normal church services, including Sunday services and prayer meetings, as well as special treats like Marriage Couple’s Retreats

Asian Churches

United Methodist Korean Church of Astoria

Exterior of United Methodist Korean Church

The United Methodist Korean Church of Astoria was founded in the mid 1970s. The church provides services primarily to Astoria's Korean population. English services began in 1997. In 2002, Michael Winburn was placed in charge of delivering delivering mass in English. The church was named The Good Shepherd Church on July 3 of 1977^[6].

The Korean branch is just an offshoot of the larger United Methodist Church, which was founded in April of 1968. With roots that reach as far back as the late 18th century, the church is a byproduct of the Protestant Reformation. With over 11 million members worldwide in 1968, the United Methodist Church has continued to branch out and further subdivide.

Pastor Yongbo Lee resides over the Korean services. Born in 1960, he graduated the Methodist School of Theology in 1988. Ordained minister shortly thereafter, he has been placed in charge of various different Korean Methodist Churches throughout New York City, including Junction City and Mound Valley.

Sunday worship is held at 11:30 AM and Demand Praise is held at 8:15 PM every night.

Taiwan Union Christian Church

Taiwan Union Christian Church

Situated on 31st Street, the Taiwan Union Christian Church is a mild one-story building nestled between a townhouse and a local convenience store. It is located right below the N,W line and thus is easily accessible by train. The church's interior is rather modest, with plain white-washed walls and simple wooden benches.

Established in 1968, it provides services in both Taiwanese and English for the neighborhood’s Chinese community. The church community is made up largely of immigrants who settled down in Astoria hoping to maintain their Taiwanese Christian backgrounds, but second-generation members are started to take over many of the church duties.

Along with religious services, the TUCC also provides the community with classes in Chinese and ethnic cultural issues^[7]. The church also provides daycare services to its members. To date, the church community consists of a few hundred, mostly Asian members, a number that has remained constant for the past few decades.

The Presence of Mosques

Masjid Al-Hikmah Indonesian Mosque

Masjid al-hikmah is a mosque located in Long Island City, Queens. Founded in the mid 1990s, the building in which congregation is held was purchased for a sum of $350,000. In the ensuing years, the building underwent a renovation that cost approximately $125,000. President Suharto, at the time the Chairman of Yayasan Amalbakti Muslim Pancasila, donated a large sum of money for the continuing sustenance and renovation of the building.

Although the mosque is used primarily as a place for worship, it also houses various community events. The name of the church, literally translates into The Wisdom Mosque. The mosque also houses what is referred to “pengajian,” which is a gathering where Islamic teachings are discussed.

The mosque is a safe haven for Indonesians to come and pray. Although the Indonesian presence in Astoria isn’t all that prominent, the mosque is a gathering place for Indonesians of similar faith. It is a vital part of the Indonesian Muslim community of Astoria.

Spanish-Speaking Churches

La Iglesia Episcopal del Redentor

La Iglesia Episcopal del Redentor

La Iglesia Episcopal del Redentor, or The Church of the Redeemer, is located on Crescent Street in Astoria. Founded in 1866, the church offers services in both English and Spanish, as well as various community programs from September to May which are free of charge and available to everyone. The church also offers a religious education program available to the youths in the neighborhood called "Godly Play," in which children become better acquainted with biblical studies.

The church is founded upon the principles of St. Paul and the reformers of the 15th century. By church scripture, all members of the clergy are allowed to marry. In addition, all baptized men and women have the potential to be ordained.

The church is set to offer Yoga classes beginning on April 23rd for the minimal fees of $12/seniors and $13/adults. Spanish classes take place weekly.

Other Churches

Holy Cross Ukrainian Catholic Church

Holy Cross Ukrainian Catholic Church

Located on the corner of 31st Avenue and 30th Street, the Holy Cross Ukrainian Catholic Church is an impressive structure outfitted with bronze trimmings and solid stone partitions. The church's interior is reminiscent of the great European cathedrals, adorned with beautifully-crafted stained-glass windows and painted images of religious figures.

The parish serves as a historical vault for the neighborhood’s Ukrainian community. Ukrainians began to settle down in Astoria in 1910, after public transportation made the neighborhood more accessible. The parish was founded in 1945 after the end of World War II, and underwent a renovation in 1958 when the parishioners decided to install gold chandeliers (imported from Athens) and commission artists to create stained-glass windows^[8]. For half a century the parish has provided daily religious services to it’s members, and has also played it’s role in contributing to yearly fundraisers, concerts, and dances.

At present, Father Christopher Woytyna is the Provincial Superior of the Basilian Fathers. The parish currently consists of approximately 300 active individuals or families, and active church organizations include the Apostleship of Prayer, Rosary Altar Society, Holy Cross Church Choir, Holy Cross Ushers, and the Holy Cross Catholic War Veterans.

Trinity Lutheran Church

The Trinity Lutheran Church is located on 37th St., and dominates its own block. It is a beautiful stone and concrete building complete with stained-glass windows and majestic turrets. The church is surrounded by a classical wrought-iron fence, and the block is lined with foliage. The building has survived decades of normal wear and tear, and even a lightning strike in the 1990s. ^[9]

Trinity Lutheran was originally founded in 1890 by Protestant Germans, but the congregation today is made up of a healthy mix of the neighborhood’s Europeans, both young and old. Churchgoers continue to be mostly Protestant, and attend services regularly.

The church’s website describes its worship as “traditionally eclectic”, and the church is known for combining historic traditions with modern, multicultural trends. For example, the minister often wears informal clothing for services, and hymns are often either time-honored themes or contemporary psalms. Services take place every day, and special yearly events include Easter Vigil and Feast of the Holy Trinity. The church also works closely with the NYC Dept of Homeless Services and the Partnership for the Homeless to support its emergency shelter. Other aspects of Holy Trinity include the Trinity Playgroup service for young children, and Sewing Ladies gathering.

Open Door Bible Baptist Church

Open Door Bible Baptist Church

The Open Door Bible Baptist Church was founded by Pastor Pete Montoro. Montoro was raised in a Christian home and is said to have experienced salvation at the age of eleven. In 1986, he joined the Cleveland Baptist Church of Cleveland, Ohio. After marrying a Julia Marshall, the two founded what would later come to be known as the Open Door Bible Baptist Church in Astoria, Queens. Service was originally held in the basement of a former Yugoslavian Seventh Day Adventist Church. In the ensuing months, the congregation grew exponentially--from just 7 people in 1993 to 40 people in 1994. The church eventually purchased its own building in 1996 on 35th St in Astoria.

^[10] The church also values the ancient Hebrew and Greek manuscripts. The church believes "in the omnipotent, omnipresent, omniscient, all loving, creator God of the universe." Salvation is achieved through the acceptance of Jesus Christ. The church offers services such as baptisms and blessings.

Holy Cross Ukrainian	Holy Cross Ukrainian Int	Holy Trinity	Open Door Baptist
St. Demetrios Cathedral	St Demetrios Cathedral Int	Trinity Lutheran Church	United Methodist Church

Citations

1. ↑ Dinnerstein, Leonard. Ethnic Americans a history of immigration. New York: Columbia UP, 1999.
2. ↑ "Asian-American History Infoplease.com." Infoplease: Encyclopedia, Almanac, Atlas, Biographies, Dictionary, Thesaurus. Free online reference, research & homework help. Infoplease.com. 13 May 2009 <http://www.infoplease.com/spot/immigration1.html>.
3. ↑ "St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Astoria - Astoria, Queens Neighborhood Photos." Queens, New York - Guide to the Borough of Queens, NY. 13 May 2009 <http://queens.about.com/od/astoriainqueensnewyork/ig/Astoria-Photos/St--Demetrios-Cathedral.htm>.
4. ↑ "St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Astoria - Astoria, Queens Neighborhood Photos." Queens, New York - Guide to the Borough of Queens, NY. 13 May 2009 <http://queens.about.com/od/astoriainqueensnewyork/ig/Astoria-Photos/St--Demetrios-Cathedral.htm>.
5. ↑ http://www.nationmaster.com/red/country/gr-greece/imm-immigration&all=1
6. ↑ Welcome to United Methodist Korean Church of Astoria ::. 13 May 2009 <http://umcastoria.org/main/index.php>.
7. ↑ Taiwan Union Christian Church. 13 May 2009 <http://www.tuccny.org/index.html>.
8. ↑ "Holy Cross Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church in Astoria, NY; created by Taras Gural." Holy Cross. 13 May 2009 <http://www.geocities.com/church11106/>.
9. ↑ http://home.earthlink.net/~trinityastoria/index.html
10. ↑ The church defines the bible as the 66 books that comprise the Old and New testaments.