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The Saint Catherine Greek Orthodox Church was established in 1959 in Quincy Massachusetts, as a parish of the Metropolis of Boston and organized under the jurisdiction of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. Formerly, the faithful of the southern suburbs were serviced mostly by the clergy of the Boston Cathedral.
Following the Second World War, however, many more Greek Orthodox people began to populate the western and southern suburbs of Boston. By the late 1950s, it became apparent that a new church was needed at the gateway to the South Shore to serve the spiritual, educational, cultural, and social needs of the growing number of faithful in the area. Thus, a group of dedicated families devoted to the Church and to their ancestral heritage petitioned the Diocese and the Archdiocese to establish a parish. The Charter was granted, and, after several attempts, in 1960 the parish purchased a Tudor style church built in the late 19th century, renovated and converted it into an Orthodox temple with all the essential liturgical appointments. This Church was located at Beale and Farrington Streets in Quincy.
As the membership increased in the ensuing years it became evident that the Parish would eventually outgrow the Beale Street Church, and a new, larger location would be required. Thus, in 1982 the Parish made a bold move: It purchased the former six-acre former Pappas Farm and Picnic Grounds in neighboring Braintree.
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The plans for the development of the Braintree site began in earnest in 200 when the Parish assembled a Building Committee. In 2001 the Parish engaged the services of a prominent architectural firm. Within a period of three years the plans for the new site were developed, financial arrangements with local banks were made, and a successful building campaign was conducted. In ealry autumn of 2004 the Parish made the transition from Quincy to Braintree. With great joy a new chapter was opened in the life of the Parish.
The new complex includes a large community center, a suite of administrative offices, several classrooms, a large reception area and ample parking facilities.
The foundations for the new Church edifice have laready been laid in the eastern corner of the Braintree site, next to the administration building.
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