Small Vermont Gathering Grows into Official Mission
A once-small home gathering in Vermont has grown into an official mission under St. Olga of Alaska’s protection.
ST. JOHNSBURY, VT — The Orthodox Church in America (OCA) has granted provisional mission status to a small Orthodox community in St. Johnsbury, placing it under the heavenly protection of St. Olga of Kwethluk. The decision was made February 20 by Bp. Benedict of New England, according to the official OCA website.
The mission, currently meeting at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, has around two dozen regular members and is led by Fr. Ambrose Powell of Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church in Claremont, New Hampshire. It is one of three OCA communities in Vermont, reflecting gradual growth in the region.
The community traces its beginnings to 2011, when a handful of faithful began gathering for Readers’ Vespers in a private home. Over time, additional families joined, forming a small choir and regular fellowship. By early 2026, the group had grown sufficiently to move into a rented space, marking a new chapter in its development.
Previously, the UOJ reported that Bsp. Vasily announced mission reorganization and a new church plant in Idaho.
