History of Saint Anthony the Great Church

Spring, Texas

Founded 1983

Saint Anthony the Great Orthodox Church began in 1982 as an Orthodox outreach to the northern part of the greater Houston, Texas area. The vision of Father Anthony Sabbagh of Saint George Parish, Houston and several parishioners, meetings were held in a subdivision clubhouse and in homes for a year. From the beginning, Saint Anthony was culturally diverse, reaching out to those from Middle Eastern, Mediterranean and Slavic roots, as well as welcoming into the Faith those from Western Christian heritage. When mission status was granted, a temporary place of worship was established in a nearby shopping center. Father Joseph Shahda, pastor of Saint George Church, with Subdeacon David Barr (now Father David), served Saturday Liturgy for another year. Typica services and church school were held on Sundays.

In August 1984, Father Peter Demro was appointed as our priest. He faithfully and lovingly served Saint Anthony Parish for seven years. During his tenure, property was bought and a permanent location for the parish was established to serve the northern area of Harris County, Texas.

With acreage purchased on Mirror Lake Drive, the task of clearing the land and draining a lake located on the property began. Time was at hand for the construction of Saint Anthony’s first building. The decision was made to first construct a parish hall and education building, which would serve also as a church until the building of a permanent temple. A dedicated group from the mission found that hard work, diligence and much prayer were the ingredients necessary for success. Soon the building’s exterior took shape: the foundation was poured, the steel forms erected, and bricks laid. Two special volunteers now reposed in the Lord, George Boer and William Walker, undertook interior finish work. Together they worked tirelessly and inspired the other volunteers. The work force from our mission eagerly and dutifully followed the directions of the two elder "foremen," putting up walls, hanging doors, painting, plumbing, installing insulation, and laying tile. The ladies of Saint Anthony, under the capable leadership of Alma Walker, of Blessed Memory, worked side by side with the men. With construction completed, the volunteers armed themselves with brooms, mops, and dust cloths to clean up. George Boer then undertook a true labor of love: the building of our iconostasis. Upon its completion and erection in the building, moving day was at hand.

Having guided this community from a storefront mission to a parish church, Father Peter felt his work was completed at Saint Anthony and was transferred to Florida. Parish status was granted when, on October 26th and 27, 1991, His Grace Bishop ANTOUN presided over the dedication of the newly completed church hall. Just prior to the opening of the new facility, Father John Lickwar was assigned as our new pastor. During the two-year tenure of Father John, an iconographer was commissioned and the first tier of icons on the iconostasis was completed. The parish settled into its role as the Orthodox presence in the community.

Father Justin McFeeters was assigned to Saint Anthony the Great in November 1993 where he served for seven years as pastor. Additional work on our church has seen the completion of beautiful Royal Doors, the construction of the solea, the acquiring of elegant new sacred vessels, a second tier of icons for the iconostasis and the addition of many hand-written veneration icons.

Father George Dahdouh served St. Anthony's for four years beginning in 2000. During his time with our parish we were blessed to be able to purchase 11+ acres of land on FM 2920 in Tomball, TX. We pray it is here that we may begin to build our new church.

Now we are being led forward by Father Andre Georges Issa, who joined our church family in February, 2005. To learn more about Father Andre, please visit the "Know Our Priest" section of our web site.

Soon, by the grace of God, our remaining indebtedness will be retired. The building of a permanent temple, to the glory of God, is our next challenge. The vision of Saint Anthony remains the same: to be a community rooted in the worship and service of Almighty God, and to be a visible and faithful witness to the Orthodox Faith in our city. During these years, our community has grown both in numbers and in spiritual depth. We have become a true family — brothers and sisters in our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ. Even though we are located in an extremely transient area, with people entering and leaving the community, God has richly blessed us with love, stability and unity. Saint Anthony is an "icon" of an American Orthodox parish who has experienced the reality of our Lord’s prayer, " … that they all may be one."

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