St Anna GOC - 2002 Until Present
St Anna Greek Orthodox Church has grown from a handful of families to over 100 since 2002
St Anna GOC - 2002 Until Present
His Eminence, Evangelos, Metropolitan of NJ, granted a full-time charter and the Saint Anna name in 2010
St Anna GOC - 2002 Until Present
The Kouvouklion, after adorned with flowers by the ladies of the Saint Anna Community Good Friday morning - 2010.
Similar to America's early immigrants who united to preserve their heritage and religious beliefs, a group of local Greek Orthodox Christians organized in 2001 to establish a community in Hunterdon County, in western New Jersey. The name of the community was the Greek Orthodox Parish of Hunterdon County. The place-of-worship was on Route 12, halfway between Flemington and Frenchtown.
With the support of the Holy Metropolis of New Jersey, the Greek Orthodox Parish of Hunterdon County celebrated its first Divine Liturgy in September 2002 and since then has established a vibrant, devoted Greek Orthodox community. Our diverse family of stewards includes all age groups, many interfaith couples, and young families committed to adhering to the doctrines of Christian Orthodoxy and teaching the Faith to their children.
We are proud to offer a full range of spiritual, educational, and cultural programs, such as Religious Education, Greek Language and Cultural Programs, and GOYA, Hope, and Joy for the youth. Our dedicated Philoptochos supports not only the community but the greater Flemington area with philanthropic events throughout the year. We have held numerous fundraising events, including annual Greek Festivals that have not only helped to raise funds but also awareness of our community and Greek Orthodoxy in the Hunterdon County area.
In June 2006, the community moved from its first location to the Allerton United Methodist Church, in Annandale, NJ. In a gesture of Christian fellowship and kindness, the Methodist parishioners welcomed us with open arms and provided a place for our community to stay on course in expanding the Faith while working on future plans.
The stay at the Allerton United Methodist Church was a temporary initiative for the community - until the timing was right to purchase a property on which to build a place of worship and community center. With the grace of God, that time arrived promptly.
On October 14, 2009, the Greek Orthodox Parish of Hunterdon County purchased 12 acres of land on Voorhees Corner Road, Raritan Township. A few months later, on January 31, 2010, His Eminence Metropolitan Evangelos of the Metropolis of New Jersey under the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America announced the official name - Saint Anna Greek Orthodox Church. He also granted a full-time charter.
In September, 2010, St Anna reached a major milestone by breaking the 100 parishioner family mark in its history. Enthused and energized, the community voted unanimously in favor of proceeding with a loan application for $1.5 million from Two River Bank.