Texas Orthodox Parish Launches $1 Million Expansion Campaign

MCKINNEY, TX — St. Nicholas Orthodox Church has launched a $1 million fundraising campaign to purchase land for a larger parish complex, as continued growth has left its current facility unable to accommodate the congregation. Parish leaders say the first phase of the effort will focus on acquiring property before turning to construction of a new church capable of serving a significantly larger community.

Fr. Seraphim Holland, who has served the parish for nearly three decades, said Sunday attendance has risen to between 200 and 240 worshippers, even though the existing church comfortably seats only about 150. To meet demand, the parish now celebrates two Divine Liturgies every Sunday. The lack of space also affects fellowship meals, Sunday School, and the parish's expanding homeschool co-op, which has grown from one day each week to two full days and could eventually develop into a full-time school.

The parish maintains an active liturgical and educational life, celebrating at least four Divine Liturgies each week while offering multiple children's classes, as well as adult instruction in both English and Russian. Parish leaders envision a new church that can seat at least 400 people, with room for future growth to approximately 500 attendees.

Beyond its own expansion, St. Nicholas hopes to strengthen Orthodox outreach across Texas. The parish recently helped establish a mission in the Texas Panhandle and expects that additional growth will make it possible to support more missions throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth region. As an expression of gratitude to benefactors, the parish continues its longstanding practice of commemorating donors and their family members by name in its prayers. At the time of publication, the GiveSendGo campaign had raised more than $115,000 toward its $1 million goal.

Previously, the UOJ reported that Mt. Athos received a new $3.9 million regional clinic.