OCA Announces Recipients of 2027 Church Planting Grants

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Orthodox Church in America (OCA) has announced seven recipients of its 2027 Church Planting and Growing Spaces Grants, awarding a combined $242,600 to mission communities across North America. The grants were approved by the Metropolitan Council during its October 14–15 Fall Session and subsequently confirmed by the Holy Synod of Bishops.

Four communities will receive Church Planting Grants: St. Stephen Mission in Lima, Ohio, and St. Paisios Mission in Nacogdoches, Texas, will receive first-year awards. St. Catherine Mission Station in Columbus, Mississippi, and St. Nina Mission in Azalea Park, Florida, were approved for second-year assistance.

The program helps missions cover the salary and benefits of a full-time resident priest, providing support over three years as communities work toward financial sustainability and eventual parish status. It has been a central part of the OCA’s missionary efforts for more than three decades.

Three additional communities will receive the inaugural Growing Spaces Grants: Archangel Gabriel Mission in Phoenix, Oregon; St. John the Merciful Mission in Orlando, Florida; and St. John the Theologian Mission in Fairfax, Virginia. Launched in 2026, the program helps growing missions afford larger worship facilities by assisting with rent or mortgage expenses. Support also decreases over three years as communities assume greater financial responsibility.

Both programs are administered by the OCA Department of Evangelization and supported in part by donations from the faithful.

Previously, the UOJ reported that a new OCA grant supported missions that were outgrowing their worship spaces.