Greek Orthodox Church
Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
National Register of Historic Places
by the United States Department of the Interior
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Immigration • Notable Buildings • Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1915.
Location. 42° 52.187′ N, 112° 26.822′ W. Marker is in Pocatello, Idaho, in Bannock County. It is at the intersection of North 5th Avenue and East Wyeth Street, on the right when traveling north on North 5th Avenue. The marker is mounted at eye-level, directly on the subject building, on the left side of the front/southwest entrance. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 518 North 5th Avenue, Pocatello ID 83201, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Idaho’s Bear River Country. It is also in the American Mountain West. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere.
Other nearby markers. At
this page online
Regarding Greek Orthodox Church. National Register of Historic Places № 79000773.
From the National Register Nomination prepared by Terrence W. Epperson, 3/12/1979:
The Pocatello Hellenic Orthodox Church is a one-story structure designed in a Byzantine Revival style with a gable roof, apsidal floor plan, and red brick exterior set off by stone accents. The west (front) facade is topped by a square bell tower and round-arched gable front. The central main entrance is flanked by two round-arched, stained glass windows. Each side facade has four round-arched windows, and a doorway is located in the center of the north side facade. Acylindrical roof-tower with a conical roof and twelve small round-arched windows provides additional illumination for the nave. The church windows are done primarily in opalescent glass, with green used as the predominant color. All window designs are abstract in character and do not depict specific scenes or events.Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 8, 20242. Greek Orthodox Church MarkerThe National Register of Historic Places marker is mounted on the left side of the front entrance.Records held by the church indicate that Pocatello architect Charles B. Onderdonk was involved in the construction of the church and may have served as project architect. Born in New York City in 1875, Onderdonk studied under McKim, Mead, and White, and came to Pocatello in 1914. The building contractor appears to have been North Pacific Construction Company.
As the oldest of two Hellenic Orthodox churches in Idaho, the Pocatello structure represents several areas of architectural, historical and cultural significance. The church and its intact interior provide an excellent example of Byzantine Revival architecture, and since its construction in 1915 has served as the educational, religious, and social focal point of the immigrant Greek community in Pocatello.
Because of employment opportunities in the railroad and livestock industries, the Pocatello immigrant Greek population was the largest in the state. In 1910, 641 Greek immigrants (35% of the state total) lived in Bannock County, most in Pocatello. Aside from its obvious religious importance, the Church of the Assumption was an important social and educational center. Even today, religious and national holidays, especially Independence Day, name days, and Easter, are celebrated at the church in the traditional style. The church also still provides instruction in Greek language and culture thus assuring the preservation of Idaho's Hellenic heritage.
Also see . . .
1. Church of the Assumption (Wikipedia).
Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Greek Orthodox CHurch
Pocatello, Idaho
Erected to the Glory of God
and his Holy Orthodox Church
August 15, 1915
Consecrated to the eternal service of God
June 9, 1985
Restored and beautified 100 year anniversary
May 17, 2015
Excerpt: The Church of the Assumption in Pocatello, Idaho, also known as the Hellenic Orthodox Church, is a Byzantine Revival-style building constructed in 1915. It was added to the National Register in 1979. It was then the older of the only two Hellenic Orthodox churches in Idaho.(Submitted on March 9, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
2. Greek Orthodox Church Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Excerpt: The interior space is basically one room with the main altar located in the apse end and a choir loft over the main entrance. A small secondary altar is located in the choir loft. A wooden iconostasis (altar screen) separates the sanctuary from the nave. The iconostasis is decorated with paintings of Christ, the Virgin Mary, John the Baptist, and the archangels Gabriel and Michael. Imported iconographic paintings adorn other interior walls in the church. The glass chandelier is also original and imported.(Submitted on March 9, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)The Pocatello Hellenic Orthodox church was consecrated Sunday, August 15, 1915. Because of his status as one of the major donors to the church building fund, Alex Katsilometes, a Greek immigrant who came to the United States in 1907 at the age of 17, was given the honor of being church godfather. Mr. Katsilometes chose the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, which is celebrated on August 15, as the name of the new church.
Credits. This page was last revised on March 9, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 8, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 156 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on March 9, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
