History of Our Parish

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Fr. Athanasy was succeeded by Fr. George Benigson (1960-1964) and Fr. Paul Ziatyk (1964-1971). During this time, the Parish experienced a burst of growth and prosperity. New icons were commissioned for the church. Recognizing the growing diversity of the parish, the name of the church was again changed, to "Holy Transfiguration of Christ Eastern Orthodox Church," in 1960. Given the decline in the Russian-Serbian ethnic neighborhoods in Globeville, Fr. George launched a successful building drive to provide funds for the future relocation of the church, and property was purchased in suburban West Denver. In 1964, the Globeville neighborhood experienced a serious and destructive flood when the South Platte River overflowed, causing extensive damage to both the rectory and the "Old Saw Mill," or parish hall, and coming within an inch of flooding the church itself. Holy Transfiguration used its building fund to loan money to local parishioners finding themselves in severe financial straights as a result of the destruction, and every penny was eventually repaid. In 1968, Holy Transfiguration become one of the first parishes in America to adopt the "Revised Julian Calendar," when the Parish voted by a margin of more than two to one to make the change.

By 1971, Holy Transfiguration was strong and healthy, and a move by the Parish to a new neighborhood seemed imminent. A fund had been collected, and new land purchased. Both Catholic schools in the Globeville neighborhood had closed, as had the Lutheran Church, and the Volga German Congregational Church had moved to the suburbs. Thus, when Fr. Andrew Harrison arrived in Denver in 1971 as the new priest, he clearly understood his assignment as being the successful relocation of Holy Transfiguration to a "better" neighborhood. In 1971, a ballot was held, and a significant majority of the Parish membership voted to sell the property and move the Church. One may ask, then, why this move was never accomplished. The answer appears to be inertia, combined with regret at abandoning four generations of history.

In 1972, a new church building had been located and a contract for purchase negotiated. However, at the last moment Nickolai Zeniuk, the Parish Starosta, refused to sign the documents for the real estate closing, since he did not want to be the one to abandon the old church. Suprisingly, the Parish Council did not press the matter, and the sale was canceled. As a result, a group of parishioners who favored the move to the suburbs took matters into their own hands by forming a mission church under the patronage of the newly canonized St. Herman of Alaska. Fr. Harrison, who was attempting to serve both communities, was forced to make a choice, and in January of 1973 became pastor of St. Herman's, which located itself in Littleton, Colorado.

Reduced in numbers and unsure of the parish's future in Globeville, Holy Transfiguration entered a period of uncertainty in the mid-1970's which lasted a decade. No definitive decision had been made to leave Globeville, or to stay. During this time, the parish was served by Fr. Dragan Filipovich (1973-1975) and then by Fr. James Worth (1976-1984), the only native son of the parish to enter the priesthood. Uncertainty over Holy Transfiguration's future was exacerbated by a 1975 proposed urban renewal plan by the City of Denver which recommended "depopulating" and "totally industrializing" the Globeville area. Consequently, no money had been spent on major restoration of the church, hall or rectory.

The end of this uncertainty coincided with the arrival of Holy Transfiguration's present Rector, Fr. Joseph Hirsch, in 1984. The decision was made to definitely remain in Globeville, and in 1984 the rectory was completely remodeled and a new, concrete sign was installed in front of the church. In the first months of 1985, under the direction of parishioner John Milosovich, an in-depth set of goals and objectives for the direction of Holy Transfiguration was undertaken resulting in a strategic plan. Under this plan, the Parish Council undertook plans to erect a new parish hall, repair and repaint the Church, install a new gold leaf dome and build a covered patio onto the Rectory. All of these projects were completed by Saint Sava's Day of 1986.

Over the last decade, Holy Transfiguration has undergone a renaissance in terms of membership. In 1984, the average age of the parishioners was 63 years; by 1996, the average age had dropped to 24 years, a tribute to the growth in membership and the numerous young families who found in Holy Transfiguration a spiritual home. Starting in 1985 the Parish has sponsored a Summer Orthodox Youth Camp under the direction of John Milosovich, which continues to serve about 100 Orthodox children yearly from across the region. Holy Transfiguration has renewed its work for charitable relief, sponsoring first the Archangel Michael Orthodox Community Services and its successor, the Orthodox Community Outreach Center, to minister to the needs of the poor and destitute in urban Denver. In 1988, Bishop Tikhon of San Francisco raised the Church to the status of a Diocesan Cathedral, in recognition of its place as the "mother church" for the Orthodox faith in the Rocky Mountain region.

Since the fall of communism in Eastern Europe in 1990-1991, the Church has become the spiritual home for a new influx of immigrants from the Orthodox lands of Eastern Europe, including Romania, Russia, Serbia and Bulgaria. Parish improvements have continued, with new, Byzantine-style icons being commissioned from noted iconographer Fr. Theodore Jurevich and installed upon the old iconostas in 1991, and an ambitious iconography project begun to commission large, medalion-style icons of the major feast days for the church ceiling. This project will be completed in time for the Parish centennial. In 1995, Holy Transfiguration was blessed with the ordination to the Holy Diaconate of Fr. Averky Davis, who has served since that time as the Parish's first permanently assigned Deacon. In 1998, a nine foot Troitza was erected immediately behind the Church building in honor of Holy Transfiguration's centennial.

Thus, through 100 years of toil, triumph, and tribulation, Holy Transfiguration has preservered in every challenge that our Lord has offered it. Looking towards the next 100 years, may He grant that Holy Transfiguration and her people continue to stand as a lighted city set upon a hill, and may the spiritual foundation of our Temple stand unmoved, even to the consummation of this age.

Part 3 | Our Parish and the Globeville Community