The History and Construction of St. Mary's Romanian Orthodox Church in Anaheim, California

The parish was founded in 1985, with the blessing of His Eminence +Nathaniel, from Vatra Româneasca, nine months after the arrival in the United States of America of Father Cornell Avramescu, expelled from the Romania at that time by the communist regime and the almighty security (securitatea), along with others four priests. The reason: the letter sent to radio "Free Europe", which demanded the release from prison of Father Gheorghe Calciu-Dumitreasa, as well as a series of religious rights.
At the beginning of 1985, His Eminence Bishop + Nathaniel gave the blessing to Rev. Fr. Constantin Alecse from Los Angeles (Dean of the ROEA’s Pacific Coast Deanery), together with Rev. Fr. Cornell Avramescu, the new emigrant priest, to organize a new Romanian Orthodox Church in Orange County, California.
So, after weeks of searching, and choosing of a place of worship in Orange County, and preparing the incorporation documentation with the State of California, on March 10, 1985, the first Divine Liturgy was celebrated in Orange County, in the festivities hall of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church ” in Tustin, church which kindly hosted us for twelve years.
At that initial solemnity, together with Father Cornell Avramescu - the founder of this parish, Father Aurel Costin also served the worthy of remembrance. The atmosphere was of great joy; for many believers living south of Los Angeles, the new location being much more convenient.
The beginning was not easy at all and it was done with several families, who together with the father carried all the hard work until today. Since then, religious services have not ceased. On July 19, 1985, the community was registered in the State of California, under the name: Peter and Paul, ”name changed a year later in the Mission of St. Mary ”, dedicated to the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin.
At the 1986 Congress in Vatra Românească - Michigan State, the mission was accepted as a parish within the Romanian Orthodox Episcopate in America. Of course, we wanted our own location, with religious services at the hours required by the ordinations, with holiday services, with a church according to our Orthodox tradition. This dream came true in 1989 when, as a result of sustained efforts, the current property was bought, on which there was a private kindergarten. Here a chapel was arranged, where on Friday evenings and holidays, all the necessary services were performed. Later, everything was demolished and in 1991, in June, the current construction began, consisting of a church, a parish residence, and a social hall.
The construction plans were designed by Ms. Gabriela Georgescu from San Diego and signed by engineer Veronel Dragomir; the electrical plans were made by Mr. Viorel Predescu, and the mechanical ones by Mr. Beard, and all this done for free. The construction was executed by Mr. Constantin Velicescu, a contractor with a lot of heart and dedication, who also worked without money, as for the soul. Due to lack of funds, the construction lasted five years, most of the completion work being done by Father Cornell and whoever else was willing to help.
We could say that the existence of this church, as well as its consolidation, is entirely due to the miracles of the Mother of God, because without sufficient funds, who could do such a thing? On September 8, 1996, the church was consecrated by holy water, by several priests invited by Father Cornell, and in the same year in December, His Holiness Nathaniel served here the first Episcopal Liturgy, blessing the efforts made. Also this year, the paintings executed by Father Cornell in his free days. In the meantime, an iconostasis made of linden wood was made in Romania, as well as pieces of furniture made of oak wood and other wood essences that adorned the new place. The church is built and painted in its entirety. The church was re-established on November 12, 2011, by a council of 5 bishops.