All Saints dedicates fellowship hall in honor of George and Mary Ann Psaros
Craig Howell THE BIG REVEAL – Mary Ann Psaros reaches toward the plaque dedicating the fellowship hall at All Saints Greek Orthodox Church in Weirton in honor of her and her late husband, George, while their sons, Michael, at left, and Harry, look on.
Craig Howell KEEPING THEIR MEMORY – Saturday’s dinner officially renamed and rededicated the All Saints fellowship hall in honor of George M. and Mary Ann Psaros. This plaque will be hung at a later time.
Craig Howell SHARING MEMORIES – Members of the Psaros family were joined by members of the church, and other guests, Saturday. Pictured, from left, are Harry, Mary Ann, and Michael Psaros, and Metropolitan Savas, of the Holy Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Pittsburgh.
Craig Howell THE BIG REVEAL – Mary Ann Psaros reaches toward the plaque dedicating the fellowship hall at All Saints Greek Orthodox Church in Weirton in honor of her and her late husband, George, while their sons, Michael, at left, and Harry, look on.
Craig Howell KEEPING THEIR MEMORY – Saturday’s dinner officially renamed and rededicated the All Saints fellowship hall in honor of George M. and Mary Ann Psaros. This plaque will be hung at a later time.
Craig Howell SHARING MEMORIES – Members of the Psaros family were joined by members of the church, and other guests, Saturday. Pictured, from left, are Harry, Mary Ann, and Michael Psaros, and Metropolitan Savas, of the Holy Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Pittsburgh.
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WEIRTON - Parishioners of All Saints Greek Orthodox Church welcomed guests Saturday night as they celebrated history, community, and family in the rededication of the church's renovated fellowship hall.
Years of planning and work culminated in the official unveiling of the area, and its dedication as the George M. and Mary Ann Psaros Hellenic Memorial Hall.
"We thank the Psaros family for everything they've done," said Dean Makricostas, parish council president, noting there are pictures of Mary Ann Psaros helping to carry bricks in 1947 as the current building on West Street was under construction. "The Psaros family has been a foundation of this church."
George, who died in 2023, was an active member of AHEPA, and found numerous other ways to give back to the church community, something which was passed down to their sons, Michael and Harry, and their families.
During Saturday's dinner, a new plaque was unveiled, featuring a picture of George and Mary Ann, in ensure their memories will remain.
"Thank you, everyone," Mary Ann Psaros said, after she, Michael and Harry removed the cover draped over the plaque.
Much of the funding for the renovation, which included a full gutting and remodeling of the fellowship hall and kitchen area, came through a donation from Michael and his wife, Robin.
According to both Michael and Harry, the inspiration came when their father died, with the seed planted during his memorial service.
It's not something they could do alone, though.
"It takes a community to do something like this," Michael said.
They offered their thanks to their uncle, Nick Tranto, their cousin, Nick Latousakis, Alexandra Melonas, Jessica Wilson, Stephanie Kamarados, Rick Smith, and the Rev. Matthew Moore, the church's priest, for their guidance and support, along with many others from the church community.
"You are our family. Our church is our family," Harry said.
Metropolitan Savas, of the Holy Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Pittsburgh, was among those on hand for Saturday's dedication, recalling some of the words offered at the end of many of his prayers.
"We say 'may their memory be eternal,'" he said, explaining the importance of sharing the stories of those who have come before. "People die when the last person who remembers them stops mentioning them."
The rededicated hall, he said, will be one way to preserve the memory of George and Mary Ann Psaros, and serve as an inspiration to others to do good work in their church and their community.
Makricostas noted the church's long history as part of the Weirton community, explaining All Saints will mark 110 years in 2027.
"We will continue to be here. We are not going anywhere," Makricostas said. "God willing, we'll be here another 110 years."
(Howell can be contacted at chowell@weirtondailytimes.com)