Our Neighborhood When Boston was founded on the Shawmut Peninsula in 1635, the South End was only a narrow isthmus of land connecting the town of Boston to the mainland. In the 1840s, Boston's population outgrew the original peninsula, and the Back Bay & South Bay marshes were filled. The handsome brick and brownstone townhouses that line the streets of South End were constructed between 1840 and 1875 and many surround London-style squares, such as Union Park Square, that continue to foster an intimate sense of neighborhood. Union Park square, built in the 1850s, was the residence of two Boston mayors and S.S. Pierce (the original grocery magnate). The elegant brick, bowfront townhouses with their high front steps were originally large single-family homes ornamented inside with walnut woodwork and elaborate fireplaces. In the 20th century South End suffered from neglect, arson, and wholesale demolition. A yuppie revival of the South End improved the neighborhood a great deal with its improvement of historic property and creation of community gardens. In 1972, the South End was placed on the National Register of Historic Places as the largest Victorian brick rowhouse district in the United States. In 1983, the area become a local Boston Landmark District (the largest landmark district in the country, covering more than 500 acres). The main streets, such as Tremont Street, have once again become thriving boulevards with businesses that cater to the entire city. Brief history of our Church The building, which is now known as St. John the Baptist, Hellenic Orthodox Church, has a long and interesting history as a place of worship. The structure was built in 1862 by a group of Unitarians under the leadership of Edward Everett Hale, a prominent abolitionist and author. Later, the building became the Synagogue of Ohabei Shalom. In 1925, the building was acquired by the Greek Orthodox Church to serve the spiritual needs of the Greek Americans who lived in the South End area. Since then, the majority of the Greek Orthodox congregation of the church has moved to other areas of the city. Yet, the loyal members of St. John's Church have kept the parish going by attending the services regularly and supporting its needs. Many Orthodox Priests have served in this church since 1925, for as little as some months to as long as some decades. Also some of the priests that served this Church climbed up the hierarchy of the Orthodox Church, such as V. Rev. Silas Koskinas who became bishop of New Jersey. Rev. Haralambos Hatzopoulos who has served this church from 1964-1987 undertook a major program of renovation & beautification of the Church. As a result worshipers & visitors to the church enjoy viewing the extensive works of religious art done by the iconographers George Filippakis and Christopher Kosmas. In 1974 the front right wing of the church, next to the Holy Altar, was dedicated to St. Nektarios, a 20th century Saint of our Church. Since then, part of his relics are kept in the Chapel where Orthodox faithful come to pray and ask for the Saint's help.