Short History and Affiliation

 

The Holy Trinity Orthodox Church of Southern California, conducts its services and activities as "HTOCSC" (THE CHAPEL) within the Holy Trinity Romanian Orthodox Church of Los Angeles, California.

The Holy Trinity Romanian Orthodox Church of Los Angeles, CA, hereinafter referred to as "the Mother Church", was established on June 25, 1939 by a group of some 25 persons of Romanian ancestry who held their first "parish general assembly" in the home of Petru German, at: 456 N. Gage St., in Los Angeles, California. During its almost 60 years of existence, the parish was served by 6 priests: Martin Ionescu, who was instrumental to the establishment of the parish (1939-1947), Grigore Coste (1948-1957), Victor Barbulescu (1957-1969), Anchidim Useriu (interim, 1969/1970), Richard Grabowski (1970-1982) and Constantin Alecse (1982 to this date).

Considering the need for an English Speaking community, long overdue at the Holy Trinity, with the Blessing of His Grace Bishop Nathaniel of the Romanian Orthodox Episcopate of America and Canada, Very Rev. Fr. Constantin Alecse, Rector of the said church, and Dean of the Pacific Coast Deanery, had started "The Chapel", to serve the English Speaking community, since 1995, serving occasionally the Divine Liturgy, in English, in a "portable" chapel, in the Church's big hall.

In 1996-1997, an inspiring monastery-like Chapel was built, by volunteers, beautified with more than 125 Orthodox icons, an intimate iconostasis (including a kitchen where from light refreshments after services are served), on the grounds of the former "Chancery" (parish offices) of "the Mother Church".

For the sake of clear identification, by the non-Romanian Community, the Chapel bears the name of the "Holy Trinity Orthodox Church of Southern California" (The English Chapel).