The first Greek to come to Calgary in 1903 was Athanassios Papadopoulos from Tripolis, Arcadia. He went back to Greece and served in the Greek Army during the Balkan wars 1912-1913. He was killed in the battle of Tjoumayia fighting against the Bulgarians. In 1903 also came the second Greek in the person of Louis Georgopoulos who too went back to Greece and fought in the Balkan wars of 1912-1913. He returned to Calgary after the end of the wars.

In a clipping of a Calgary newspaper “the Morning Albertan” of December 15, 1913, kept by Mr. Chris Smith (Chrysochoou) of that city we read: “Tony Preston and George Chryshou were in Calgary about 1910. The first was the proprietor of the Seattle Shoe Shine Parlors, Center street, and the second, who was engaged at the Old Royal Hotel Cigar Stand, fell fighting in the battle of Tjoumayia. Also John Stallis employed as a waiter at the Maple Leaf Cafι went to fight during the Balkan wars but was uninjured.”

Alec Fundas, the versatile Greek of Calgary came to that city in 1905 and in 1907 old man Peter Morris followed. Louis Pullmas came originally to Winnipeg in 1909 and after a short sojourn there he came to Calgary where he lived until the end of his life. Pete Anagnostopoulos had made Calgary his home since 1910, followed a year later by his brother Comstantine who died in Greece. Pete moved to Vancouver, B.C. Another brother, Nick, lived in Edmonton, Alta. Chris Smith (Chrysohoou) was another old-timer having come to Calgary in 1913. Sophocles Kostasa, from the island of Cyprus was taken care of at the Belcher Military Hospital in Calgary. He served with the Canadian Army in France during the First World War. He was severely wounded in the battle of Cambrai and as a result had both his legs amputated. James Condon, a successful businessman, was the owner of considerable real estate in Calgary and the owner of the Jimmie’s Store on 17th Avenue.
He traveled extensively all over the world in the company of his wife. Paul Zarkos, the Arvanites Corinthian, owned since 1919 the property and the business of the Sweet Home Confectionery on 347, 17th Ave. West. A landmark for the Greeks in Calgary and for those who visited the city, was the Maple Leaf Cafι. This cafι was first started a number of years ago by Phillip Triffen Sr.

" The Hellenic Orthodox Community of Calgary"

The Hellenic Orthodox Community of Calgary was established at 1957, with the aim of raising funds to built a church as well as a Community hall. The first President of the community was Jimmie Condon and the executive Committee consisted of Paul Zarkos, as Vice-President, Michael Sfakianakis as Secretary and Theodore Zeis as Treasurer. The Committee of volunteers for the construction of the church consisted, amonst others, of George and Stavro Melathopoulos, Nick and Gust Kolias and Gus Agioritis.

In October 1959, his Grace Bishop Dimitrios of Los Angeles performed the blessing of the new church and conducted the first Divine Liturgy. Father Dimitrios Kavouras was the first priest of the church.