Our Parish

Saint Nicholas
Orthodox Church

Serving the Joliet community since 1907

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Years of Faith
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First Liturgy
OCA
Diocese of the Midwest
Service Schedule

Join Us for Worship

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Vespers
Every Saturday
5:00 PM
Evening prayer service
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Divine Liturgy
Every Sunday
10:00 AM
Also on Facebook Live

Special service times are posted in the parish calendar →

Saint Nicholas Orthodox Church exterior Divine Liturgy at Saint Nicholas
Est. 1907

A Living Tradition
in the Heart of Joliet

Saint Nicholas Orthodox Church is a parish in the Diocese of the Midwest of the Orthodox Church in America (OCA). It has been officially serving Joliet, IL since September 1907, though services had been held in homes since 1905.

Because of oppression and economic conditions in the early 1900s, many people emigrated from Europe. It was these immigrants, Russians, Ukrainians, Greeks, and Serbians, who formed the first St. Nicholas parish, building a community of faith that has endured for over a century.

"We are a growing church community worshipping God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, in the 2000+ year Tradition of the Apostles."

Today St. Nicholas is home to the St. Nicholas Ladies' Aid and Altar Circle, the St. Nicholas Brotherhood, a Church School program, an extensive parish library, and bi-weekly Bible study.

Plan Your Visit →

1905 to Today

Parish History

Over a century of Orthodox Christian witness in the heart of Illinois.

The Founding Years
1905
The first Divine Liturgy is celebrated in the home of Luke Pinchak by Rev. John Kochuroff of Chicago. Carpatho-Russian immigrants organize the parish community.
1906
The Brotherhood Lodge #81 of the Russian Orthodox Catholic Mutual Aid Society is formed. Three lots on the corner of Franklin and Clay Streets are purchased.
1907
A house is remodeled as a chapel and consecrated at Clay and Franklin Streets. Father Michael Potochney begins regular services. The parish is officially founded.
1911
A second lodge is formed, Lodge 113, called the Transfiguration Lodge.
1912
Father Potochney dies. Father Vasile Kolesnikoff becomes the new priest.
1914
A parish house is purchased and moved to the lot at Clay and Franklin Streets.
1916
Father Theodore Migdal becomes pastor, and work begins to complete the new iconostasis.
Growth & Identity
1917
The new iconostasis is blessed by Bishop Alexander Menolovsky. The church debt is paid in full.
1918
The Greek members separate from St. Nicholas to form All Saints Orthodox Church in Joliet.
1919
Father Peter Semkoff becomes the new priest. The parish house is remodeled into a parish hall and pastor home.
1926
Father Basil Petretsky becomes the new priest.
1927
The Serbian members separate to form St. George Serbian Orthodox Church in Joliet.
1928
Father Paul Razkazoff becomes the parish priest and organizes a church choral and music society.
1931
Father Constantine Popoff becomes pastor, remaining for fourteen years.
1939
The Ladies Aid and Altar Circle is formed.
1945
Father Igumen Pachomy Delman becomes the new parish priest. Extensive remodeling is done, including pews and a choir loft.
Renewal Era
1946
Father Vladimir Borichevsky introduces English into the Divine Liturgy. The church hall is renovated and a campaign to build a new church is launched.
1954
Matushka Tatiana Elchninoff is commissioned to paint six icons for the iconostasis over a three-year period.
1956
The St. Nicholas Church School is formed. Father John Kuchta becomes the new pastor.
1959
A 2.5-acre parcel on Barber Lane is purchased for a new church. Stephen Platko is hired as full-time choir director.
The New Church
1965
Groundbreaking ceremonies are held at 1000 Barber Lane. Construction begins on the new church.
1966
On September 25th, the new St. Nicholas Church at 1000 Barber Lane is consecrated, the permanent home of the parish.
1970
Autocephaly is granted to the Orthodox Church in America by Patriarch Pimen of Moscow.
1971
The old Clay Street property is sold. The mortgage for the new church is paid off in a mortgage-burning ceremony.
1981
The St. Nicholas Garden in Woodlawn Memorial Park is created.
Modern Era
1992
At the 85th Anniversary, Metropolitan Theodosius and Bishop Job present the parish with relics of St. Tikhon, St. Panteleimon, and SS. Cosmos and Damian, sealed in the altar table.
2002
Major renovations: new roof, upgraded lighting, new carpeting, and fence improvements.
2007
Saint Nicholas celebrates 100 Years of Orthodoxy in Joliet.
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Continuing the faith of the Apostles in Joliet, Illinois

What you are looking at

This is our church, not a stock photograph of one. Tap any point to find out what it is and what it is for. You can see the same seventeen points in the walking tour, as a photograph, or as a plain diagram.

The nave of St. Nicholas Church seen from the doors, looking east

Coming this Sunday? Arrive a few minutes early, come in, and stand or sit wherever you like. You are not expected to know what to do, and nobody is watching you. Visitors do not receive communion, but everyone is welcome to take a piece of the blessed bread offered at the end, and to stay for coffee.