In 1928 a few Greek families originally from Chios and Mani, with the support of the Pansamian Society went ahead and leased a second story flat at 120 Bank Street, Newark, that was going to serve as a Church, as well as a Greek School.

The late Rev. Nicholas Papas was the first priest to join St. Demetrios Church that same year. Their spirit, their determination and their faith were bitterly tested in the fall of 1928 when the first signs of the great Depression caused great financial hardship to the newly established Church.

While struggling to survive, the Church was further tested in 1930, when a schism among the parishioners resulted in Rev. Papas, with a large segment of the congregation, to leave and form a new Church of St. George around the corner on Plane Street. In 1932 however, the two groups were reunited, and together they purchased a building on 135 New Street with Rev. Papas as their spiritual leader.

The building was renovated, and two members of the Board of Trustees, Costas Moskoyiannis and Michael Hatzimihalis assumed the mortgage for that property. Rev. Papas served as Pastor for a short period of time and was assigned to a Parish in Texas. A succession of priests followed after that, until the late 1930's when Rev. Papas was reassigned and remained as spiritual leader until 1952.

The heroic efforts of the Board of Trustees and their Presidents, Demetrios Chrisoveris, Costas Moskoyiannis, Michael Hatzimihalis, Odysseas Neres, Costas Mumtzis, George Agalias, and Peter Thomas managed to overcome the difficult times of the 30's and early 40's.

In 1943, under the leadership of Peter Thomas, the community purchased a property on High and New Streets, with the intention of building a Church. However, the plan did not materialize, and the property was later sold. Finally in 1947 a property at 210 Clinton Avenue was purchased.

In 1952, Rev. Christopher Condoleon assumed the spiritual guidance of the St. Demetrios Church. Five years later, in February of 1957, a mortgage burning Dinner was held at the Robert Treat Hotel. The Church was finally out of debt!!! During the tenure of Fr. Christopher as Proistamenos, the following individuals served as Presidents of the Board of Trustees: Peter Thomas, Gus Makris, Peter Kokkalis, Gus Stravelakis, Andrew Agriantonis, Gus Genakos, Gus Stravelakis for a second time and Anastasios Soros.

The 50's and the 60's were years of progress and growth. The Philoptochos Society of "St. Irene", which has been active since the inception of our Church, and was officially re-organized in the mid fifties, had a very positive impact in the social and economic life of our Church. Much of the progress, growth and success of St. Demetrios can be attributed to the magnificent services and contributions of this excellent organization and its fine ladies.

The first President of the Philoptochos of "St. Irene", Mrs. Jenny Poulos, fits and deserves the title of "Mother of our Church". Mrs. Efterpe Papatheodorou who served twice as President and, under whom the Philoptochos enjoyed its largest membership ever, also needs to be mentioned.

By the late 60's, the membership of St. Demetrios Church reached nearly 500 families and earned St. Demetrios the reputation of being one of the best-established communities in the state of New Jersey.

All of the organizations and schools grew and prospered to their highest potentials. But the social climate of Newark began to change in the early 70's and shortly thereafter it became evident that the relocation of the Church would be necessary in order to retain its membership, the vitality and the social activity of the Church that had begun to decline.

Rev. Constantine Xirouhakis took over the spiritual guidance of the Parish shortly after Rev. Condoleon passed away in June 1981. The building fund was the initiated to raise the necessary funds, and the Parish began looking at various properties. After some unsuccessful attempts at other locations, which included a purchase and sale of property in Maplewood, the present location at 721 Rahway Avenue, Union became available in November 1983, during the Presidency of Mr. Anastasios Soros. After viewing and considering the property and the location, the overwhelming majority of the Parish expressed a favorable opinion for the purchase at a special General Meeting that was held at Jahn's Restaurant in Union on December 3, 1983.

The location made a lot of sense geographically since most of the Parishioners resided in Union or the surrounding communities. The signing of the contracts took place on June 16, 1984.

The last traces of doubt, skepticism and fear were eliminated when the late Elias Fotinos offered to pay the interest of the mortgage for the seven-year duration of the loan. Mr. Fotinos, being the greatest supporter and Benefactor of the Church, did pay the interest from June 1984 until June 1988 when the mortgage was finally paid in full, coincidentally just before he passed away. The beautiful hand crafted Altar is one of Mr. Elias Fotinos' many contributions to the Church. In tribute to his everlasting memory, the Parish dedicated the Chapel of the Church after Mr. Fotinos, thus naming it the "Chapel of the Prophet Elias"!

The other person greatly responsible for the move was a Board member at the time, who became President of our Parish Council's in 1984, a position he held for six years. Mr. Elias Loucopoulos had the determination that was needed to move forward with this purchase. The Parish went through a lot, spending countless hours and days trying to sell the old Church and buy the new one. They managed to overcome all the obstacles until finally the Parish reached its goal. The THYRANIXIA took place on October 14, of 1984. The renovations and transformation of the Edifice began immediately, starting with an all new kitchen that was entirely donated by the Philoptochos Society of "St. Irene". The Social Hall which was dedicated to the memory of Rev. Christopher Condoleon, four classrooms, storage rooms, and more recently a new stage area were constructed. Upstairs the altar was extended and the stained glass windows that had been removed from the old Church and preserved were installed. A conference room, the Pastor's office, the Choir area, and another classroom were added. Sprinkler and smoke detectors were added everywhere, the heating, the electrical and air conditioning systems were upgraded, and additional pews were added to increase the seating capacity by fifty-six. Outside a retaining wall was constructed which increased the parking area, storm sewers were installed for water drainage, and all the utilities needed for the festivals, the paving for the parking lot, and the landscaping of the Church's grounds were done professionally.

The New Church's CONSECRATION was done on October 29, 1989, with Metropolitan Silas of the Diocese of New Jersey, officiating. Now once again the St. Demetrios was alive in every way. Progress, peace and growth were the characteristics that were expected to return to the social life of the Parish.

The annual Festival, which was established in 1985, grew and became famous in the area. By 1993 and during the Presidency of Mr. Demos Arvanitis, the Church was free of debt once again and in 1994 with the presidency of Mr. Nicholas Chatzopoulos, the building of the New Community Center began. The Church offices were modernized and the Computer was introduced into the every day life of the Church.

The Community Center, which cost approximately 1.4 million dollars, houses the Afternoon Greek School with six classrooms. It has a basement, auditorium, and a second floor gymnasium for the youth with basketball, volleyball, tennis and indoor soccer available and in the Mezzanine are offices for the Church Organizations and a Conference Room. Both the renovation and expansion of the Church and the construction of the Community Center were done with the help of a Parishioner and Contractor, Mr. Menelaos Kontos who lent the interest free funds in order for the Parish to be able to complete these major undertakings.

On July 1995, Rev. Nicholas Pastrikos took over as Pastor from Rev. K. Xirouhakis who retired. The Community Center was BLESSED by Archbishop Spyridon, on May 11, 1997 and the Greek Afternoon School started operating in the new facilities in September 1997. The completed Community Center Building was officially DEDICATED by Archbishop Spyridon of America, on November 1, 1998.

On March 15 1999, Very Rev. Alexander Kile assumed the Pastorship of our community. During his tenure the Tree of Life was started and installed at the Narthex with the generous donation of Mr. Pappas, and the Chapel was founded and decorated with individual icons of all the Saints and Feast Days of the year. Father Alex launched our parish web site with the co-operation of Lucas Loucopoulos, C. Mikelis and the approval of the Parish Council. Father Alex was reassigned to the Parish of St. George in Piscataway, NJ

On May 1, 2004, Father Apostolos Panos was assigned by His eminence Metropolitan Evangelos of New Jersey to our beloved Saint Demetrios Church. Father Paul served the community until April 2005 when he was reassigned to Kimisis Tis Theotokou Church in Island Park, NY.

On April 2005 Father George Matsis became the spiritual leader of St. Demetrios Church and continues to serve our community with love and dedication.