Sheboygan's Greek Orthodox Church is named after this saint who turned brick into fire, water and clay

SHEBOYGAN - Back in the late 1800s, the founders of St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Church came to the area to take advantage of the opportunities on the Midwestern frontier. Many of them were single men and men who left their families behind with intention of returning to their homeland with the money they made.

As the community grew, its members found they needed a church. A community council, established in 1902, was established to provide governance to the Greek enclave in Sheboygan.

According to Press clippings from Beth Dippel of the Sheboygan County Historical Research Center in those early days, the Greek Consulate in Chicago arranged for a priest to travel from Chicago via train to conduct services.

A decision was made to build a church building and land was purchased by the consulate for the congregation. The consulate was listed as the first owner on the deed. By 1906, the church we see today on South 10th Street was completed and celebrated by the congregation. The bell tower, however, was added 10 years later.

The first resident priest, the Rev. Nicholas Velonis, arrived in 1905 and, with the council, worked to secure the funds for the new church. The South 10th Street location was purchased because it was close enough to the Greek community and yet far away enough from businesses and factories.

The church's 21 icons arrived from Athens, Greece, in 1911. Those icons were restored by the well-known art preservationist Tony Rager in late 1990s. Rajer, who died in 2011, was born in Sheboygan and was known internationally for his conservation of murals and paintings.

In 1958, the church was consecrated. The consecration of a church is essentially a baptism of the church building that, through the grace of God and the Holy Spirit, transforms the building into the house of God, according to Greek Orthodox Church beliefs.

The church's namesake, Saint Spyridon, according to another Press clipping, was born on the island of Cyprus and was a shepherd. Authorities at the time documented him as a miracle worker.

Saint Spyridon once brought a brick to the council session, turned to the heretical Arians and said, "You deny that the Three in One (referring to the Holy Trinity), but look at this brick, composed of the elements of the earth, fire and water, yet it is one."

It was said that while he spoke the brick fell into its components parts: fire started, water flowed and the clay remained in his hands. In this miracle, Saint Spyridon showed his belief in the Holy Trinity.

Each summer, the congregation holds Greek Fest, which began in the back yard at the church. The annual Greek culture event is held at Deland Park. Greek food, dancing and music immerse the people in the Greek culture.

Today, the church is led by Father Leo Gavrilos and continues its mission for Sheboygan and the Greek community.

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This article originally appeared on Sheboygan Press: Sheboygan Greek Orthodox Church named for miracle worker St. Spyridon