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  KORAES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

1948-1972

     This phase of the church history began with groundbreaking ceremonies on February 12, 1948.  When the community vacated the Church premises on Michigan Avenue in June 1948, the parish was once again without a Church building.  Worship services were held at the Graham Taylor Chapel of the Chicago Theological Seminary at the University of Chicago.  In late autumn of 1948, a considerable portion of the Church structure had been completed, thus allowing the celebration of church services.  This was where the community conducted services until the final completion of the upper portion of the new structure in 1952.  When completed, this structure would be on a grander and larger scale than what the parishioners had previously known.

     The third parish of SS. Constantine and Helen Church was an enormous structure of Indiana limestone located at 7351 South Stony Island Avenue.  The church was modeled after St. Sophia of Constantinople, thus constructed in the traditional Byzantine style.  This design included a huge dome pierced by twenty-four windows, surmounting an elongated crucifix and half-domes.  The iconography of the church was also done in traditional Byzantine manner with huge gold-leaf murals and mosaics of the Pantocrator, Platytera, Apostolikon, Crucifixion, Resurrection and, Panagia.  The interior of the church was completed in Italian Carrara marble, and bronze fixtures portrayed by the magnificent iconostasion, altar rail, bishop’s throne, and pulpit. 

     When erected, the church edifice was a skeletal structure, waiting for walls and the dome.  The interior was completed in various phases as the finances of the church allowed.  The new church was reputed to be the seventh largest church structure in the United States.  The overall length of the building was 220 feet.  The center aisle was so long that the church provided brides with the runner because no florist had one long enough.  The seating capacity was 2,300 and the church structure was equipped with air conditioning systems and radiant heating. This move to Stony Island did not render a “finished product” until the late 1960’s.  The total cost of the edifice when completed was estimated at $1,200,000. The new church was void of iconography, stained glass windows, and even pews until that time.  Tan Samsonite metal folding chairs were used for seating until pews were acquired. 

     The parish embarked upon a tremendous campaign employing every conceivable method of fundraising to finance the new church.  These included gala benefit balls at the Trianon and Aragon ballrooms, huge banquets attended by Greek royalty and other dignitaries at leading Chicago hotels, and wrestling matches with world-famous Jim Londos at the Chicago Stadium.  Raffles of all sorts were held, including scrolls, pledges, and the sale of church bonds.  This great financial need of the community made it necessary for all parish members to come forth and offer their help and support.

     While the new church was being constructed, Koraes Elementary School, Greek School, and Sunday School were housed in enlarged temporary quarters adjacent to the new church.  In September of 1954, Koraes became an eight-classroom school with the addition of four classrooms in the church. This provided geographical challenges for Koraes: 1^st and 2^nd grades were held in the little red schoolhouse, 3^rd and 4^th grades were held in the basement of the church, 5^th and 6^th grades were held in the church balcony, and  7^th and 8^th grades were held in the little red schoolhouse.  Thus, one’s career began and ended in the 4-room schoolhouse, which also housed the school principal and secretary.  Throughout the years, the little red schoolhouse became a symbol of life-long friendships, academic success, and fond memories.

     In 1951, Andrew T. Kopan assumed principalship of the school.  Koraes was reorganized as an American bilingual institution. Classes in English studies were conducted from 9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.  Lunch was from 12:00-12:30, recess from 12:30-12:55 and classes in Greek from 1:00 p.m-3:00 p.m.  Recess was a fun time for all.  The students would organize themselves to play games, or they would just sit around and socialize.  Students played on the grass or on the gravel.  When the World Series was played in September, many students brought their own transistor radios to listen to the games. When the school bell was rung, all students went to their Greek class. 

     During the morning classes, music and physical education were taught.  In addition, the parish priests taught religious education.  As part of the music program, the students were introduced to the production of musical plays.  The mothers of the Koraes PTA were instrumental in helping with the costumes and logistics of presenting the productions to the community.  An example of an ambitious undertaking was the musical production The Mikado.  In addition, the Greek presentations for March 25^th were quite extraordinary.  The mothers elaborately decorated the stage, the students were dressed in Greek costumes, and the plays and poems were conducted with style.  

    Many families lived near the parish, and the students would walk to school.  For those who lived further away, there were 10 school buses available to bring the children to Koraes. Principal Kopan would be present at 8:30 a.m. in the Church basement with hot chocolate for the patrol boys (crossing guards).  These boys arrived first, thus allowing Mr. Kopan to know what staffing arrangements to make for absentees. 

     A new tradition became part of the graduation ceremony.  The 8^th grade boys and their 7^th grade partners wore suits.  The 8^th grade girls wore white dresses and their 7^th grade partners wore pastel colored dresses.  The graduates carried a candle and their partners carried a rose.  When they reached the altar, the 8^th graders passed the light of wisdom to the 7^th graders, and the rose was passed on to the graduates by the 7^th graders.  The 7^th grade PTA parents hosted a reception, which included punch and cookies in the basement at the conclusion of the promotional ceremony.

     Many memories of Mr. Kopan’s years as principal abound.  He was an inspiration to many students to be successful in life.  He also was extremely involved with the everyday operations of the school.  His deep voice was a constant reminder of his presence and concern for his students.  Mrs. Piniotes, a longtime secretary of the school, was like a mother to all students, comforting them when ill, guiding them to be good and behave, and instilling in them the importance of working hard.  She was the buffer of logic and fairness between students and principals.  She added humor when things were too dry.  As a school nurse, she dressed many schoolyard traumas.  She was at the helm during multiple school building transitions.  Her smile and warmth were always a welcome sight.

     In 1961, the Archdiocese held a contest for students enrolled in all the Greek schools in the United States.  The 7^th grade students at Koraes were administered a multiple-choice test and were required to write a Greek essay.  The Archdiocese selected 40 boys and 40 girls for an all paid boat trip from New York to Athens, a two week stay at a summer camp, and two weeks of sightseeing.  The boys and girls traveled on separate boats and stayed at different camps outside of Athens.  Two male Koraes students were winners of the contest.  This was a testament to the education taking placing at Koraes. 

      In 1963, the decision was made that all Koraes students should wear school uniforms.  All the girls wore blue/green plaid jumpers with a white blouse and a white headband.  The headband was not optional, but mandatory.  The boys wore dark blue pants, light blue shirts, and a dark blue tie.  Uniforms made it easier for the students and parents.  The students were neatly dressed and nobody had to worry about what anyone else was wearing.  The trend was started, and uniforms have been the required attire at Koraes ever since.   

      The 8^th grade girls served as “Myrofores” on Good Friday.  There were 8-12 girls who stood for the entire service, wearing their white choir robes with a black bow, white blouse, black skirt, and black shoes.  Many of the Altar Boys would remain behind the Altar after the Apokathilosis service because they did not want to give up the robes that fit them well.  On those occasions, Mr. George Dimopoulos would add water to some wine and dip prosforon in it to feed the boys since they were all fasting.

      The church building was completed in 1954.  There were no murals or iconography, only a temporary iconostasion. During the first Anastasi service in the church, the crowd was so immense that it spilled over the front steps to Stony Island with worshippers huddled under umbrellas in a driving rainstorm.  During the first Christmas Eve service in the church, the junior and senior choirs sang Christmas carols in Greek and English.  Mr. George Dimopoulos started the junior choir in September of 1952.  Confession was heard in the room located behind the choir, which was not visible, but accessed through a door next to the altar.  Inside was a huge mural of the Resurrection. 

     The basement of the church was a huge, cavernous space, which played a significant role in the spiritual, social, educational, and organizational life of the parish.  The basement had two levels.  One could reach the first level, which resembled a large landing, from both the north and south end of the church narthex.  This level housed two classrooms, one at each end, as well as two conference type multi-use spaces with a half wall facing the landing.  One of these spaces was used as the Sunday School office.  The other was multi-functional as a meeting room, coatroom, choir robe room, and in the earlier years as a type of kitchen or serving area.  This level had another set of stairs leading down to the main basement.  This was where many of the activities of the parish were held. It was also utilized as the gymnasium.   On January 20, 1953, a 21-inch television was brought to the church basement so the Koraes students could see the invocation given by Archbishop Michael at President Eisenhower’s first inauguration.

     In 1956, the Christmas pageant was presented in the hall with a tableau of the Nativity.  Live sheep, which were provided by a parishioner, got away and were running up and down the backstage area.  A young boy, wearing a foustanella, was playing Greek Christmas carols on the accordion.

     The annual PTA bazaar was held in the basement, with all the items sold being handmade.  The 8^th grade students also had a booth to raise funds for graduation activities.  A favorite item was a pig, shaped out of a Linco bottle that would be used as a piggy bank.  One fond memory of the bazaar was the cherry blossom tree.  Inside certain blossoms were prizes.  Many girls won their first Barbie doll or Barbie doll case at the bazaar. 

     When the kitchen was completed in 1955, the “Koulouma” meals were prepared there. A memorable vision of the “Koulouma” was watching our mothers clean the squid that was always prepared for the meal.  Parishioners would attend the Compline service on Clean Monday (1^st Monday of the Lenten Period) followed by the dinner.   Another fond memory was seeing our grandmothers dressed in their Red Cross Uniforms at the church every Tuesday making necessary items needed by the American Red Cross. 

     During the Sunday School year, the Divine Liturgy was held in the basement every Sunday prior to Sunday School classes being conducted.  The Junior Choir, comprised of 6^th, 7^th, and 8^th grade girls, sang every Sunday during the liturgy under the direction of Mrs. Helen Fotopoulos.  Each girl was responsible for providing her own short, white choir robe, as well as for its maintenance: washing, starching, and ironing.  Sunday School classes were held in various rooms throughout the basement, on either side of the stage, partitioned areas, and even in the kitchen.  Some classes were held in the church balcony.  Altar boys attended Sunday School classes during the Divine Liturgy in a classroom behind the Holy Altar.  This made it possible to summon the boys back to the Altar for additional duties.  A fundraiser for the Sunday School included the sale of movie tickets for a major movie release (i.e. The Ten Commandments).  This motion picture was shown…you guessed it…in the basement.

     The annual church festival, known as “The Picnic,” was attended by parishioners and friends from sister parishes.  It was a social event.  The unwritten dress code for men was suits and ties.  Women wore dresses or suits with high heels, and sometimes they even wore hats and gloves.  In the early 1960’s a memorable picnic occurred.  The rain came hard and the parking lot was under water.  The fire department was called to pump out the water.  Rather than cancel the picnic, the committee decided to host the picnic the following weekend. 

     The parish priests were involved with the children in various ways.  Father Tripodakis had the 8^th grade students recite the Creed in Greek, one at a time in his office.  Father Gregory held classes in front of the altar and described the vestments worn by the priest.  In 1954, he rented the stage at Bryn Mawr School on 73^rd and Jeffrey and held a musical review, with the upper grade students as participants. He also restarted the Altar Boys Guild in 1957.

     In 1960, we all met Father Byron for the first time.  From the time of his arrival, Father Byron left his mark on us with his favorite word “IPOMONI.” He immediately began pulling on our earlobes out of love, thus having us joke that one earlobe will always be longer than the other. In 1963, Father Byron kicked a football off the church steps and played softball to the joy of the children.  In his 5^th grade religion classes, he had his students write the Creed in Greek.  He took the children behind the Holy Altar to teach them about the church.  Father Byron also held summer Bible class.

     The youth also became involved in various capacities.  In October of 1961, Junior GOYA presented “Junior GOYA Cottage Grove Style.”   In the early 60’s, Junior GOYA only included the high school age group.  The meetings consisted of a one hour or so lecture about religious topics.  Meetings were held in the basement, as were the meetings of most organizations.  Junior GOYA social activities were also held in the basement.  Father Byron did not approve of the dance music of the early 1960’s, which included “The Twist.”  During Jr. GOYA social events, if Father Byron’s black shoes were seen coming down the steps to the basement, the music would change. 

     Father Byron reactivated the Sr. GOYA upon his arrival to the parish.  This became a very active and vibrant group.  For 4 consecutive years, they presented the play “Amal and the Night Visitors” at Christmas, depicting Jesus and the Virgin Mary.  A George Washington dance was sponsored in February, and for props, statues of George and Martha Washington were used. In the spring, they did a comedy titled, “Karpouze Kefalo” (Watermelon Head).   Dances were held annually, which were a spin off of American Bandstand.  At the parish’s picnic on Stony Island, the Sr. GOYA hosted and ran a Spin Art booth, which was fun for all.  Frequently, all the GOYANS attended the Divine Liturgy and then shared a meal together after church.

     The construction of a new Koraes School building in 1965, complete with a gym and small multi-purpose room changed the composition of uses for the basement.  Large events could now be held in the gym, as well as athletic events.  Meetings for the organizations were now held in the new multi-purpose room. This new facility was a starting blueprint for the needs of the growing community and its youth when the move to Palos Hills commenced. 

     Many parishioners of the community began to move from the vicinity of the parish and went west.  Since the community was on the move to go “west” the parish decided to follow the community.  Thus began the search for our next location.  A key factor in this search was to find a location that would provide long-term stability for the parish.

     During a General Assembly meeting in early 1972, a decision was reached to sell the property on Stony Island.  Due to the tremendous influence of Mr. Pierre Austin DeMets, the community averted a major bankruptcy.  He was able to secure a bid and purchase price of four million dollars for the Stony Island property.  With this money, the parish was in a position to pay off its huge mortgage of close to eight hundred thousand dollars. 

This article was originally published in the Saints Constantine and Helen Church 100th Anniversary Commemorative Album