City Greek community to get its own centre at last

Aug 7 2007 by David Bartlett, Liverpool Daily Post

AFTER more than 140 years of a Greek Orthodox presence in Liverpool, the community is to build its own centre.

The Liverpool Greek Society has applied for planning permission to build a “cultural centre” opposite its church in Berkley Street.

The society is hoping to have the two-storey building, that will be home to a Sunday school and community centre, up within 18 months to two years.

About £180,000 has already been raised for the estimated £800,000 – £900,000 scheme and the society is to apply for Lottery funding.

A number of fundraising events will also be held.

“Basically there are about 2,500 Greek-Cypriots in the Merseyside area but we don’t have a community centre,” said Louis Anastasiou, a committee member of the Liverpool Greek Society.

“If you look at other cities in England like Manchester and Birmingham they all have a community centre but we never have.

“It’s going to be more like a cultural centre for the whole community.”

Mr Anastasiou, a city estate agent, said the centre would be used to teach children Greek and it was also hoped that lessons would be offered to adults.

Greek lessons for children are currently held on Saturdays at a John Moores University building – these would move to the new centre.

“It will cater for everyone in the community, not just Greeks. Anyone who wants to learn Greek will be able to come here,” he added.

“For example, my parents are Greek-Cypriots, but I was born here. I want my children to learn Greek.”

He said it was hoped the centre would ensure that children did not lose touch with their roots.

He said the society acquired the land opposite the church a couple of years ago. It used to house disused shops but these have been demolished.

The building will have a hall for social events, a café area, and a number of classrooms. It will be available for hire to other groups.

The church was built between 1865 and 1870 and is one of only four purpose-built Greek Orthodox churches in the UK.

It was brought over from Greece piece by piece.

Last year, the Grade II-listed church was given a £60,000 grant to pay for roof re-slating, masonry repairs and repointing.

Mr Anastasiou said on normal Sundays the congregation of the church is around 100, swelling at Easter and Christmas.

Services are held in Greek apart from occasions like baptisms when they are held in English.

He said money raised so far for the community centre had come from private donations and fund-raising events.

davidbartlett