On August 26, 2001 their dream became reality when our Archbishop Nathaniel surrounded by 10 priests and approximately 500 people consecrated our new church “St. John the Baptist Romanian Orthodox Church”.<\/strong><\/p>\n The church history began with an article written for SOLIA by Jack Boian where Archbishop Valerian was informed that there were a group of Romanian Orthodox families in Phoenix metropolitan area.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n In March 1982 Fr. R. Grabowski was sent to phoenix to look into the opinion of opening a mission church. There was an American-Romanian Club and Mr. Percy Avram – president of the club – provided a list of 58 families with 138 souls to the Episcopate as a good base for starting a mission church. Fr. Costic\u0103 Maftei was delegated to come to Poenix and in October 1982, after two meetings, first mission was created. In March 6th 1983 at a general meeting with Fr. G. Zmed as the representative from the Episcopate the mission became a parish under the name of “St. John the Baptist Romanian Orthodox Church” and Fr. Costic\u0103 Maftei was officially appointed to serve as parish priest. Among the founder families that are sill members of our church today are: John Breja fam., Silviu Rohan fam., Percy Avram fam., John Nan fam., Vasile Romega Thompson fam., Todor Rasa fam., Gheorghe (Bebe) Barac fam., Olivia Turc and John Nicoar\u0103 fam. Then there are a number of families and people founders that we don’t know where they are: Ioan Craiovean, Ioan Tabuc, Mihai Georgescu, Constantin Florea, Elaine Georgescu, Dan Horvath, Toma Eremie, Constantin Campan, Mitru Geijan and a number of church founders that are not anymore with us – may God rest their souls in peace – Jack Boian – first president, Emil Dumitrache, George \u015etefaniu, Maria Bohar, Nicolae Poleac and George Candea.<\/p>\n On March 25th 1983 the parish was registered with the State of Arizona and in April 11th 1983 the Romanian Orthodox Episcopate of America sent the Episcopate charter authorizing the parish to function as a legitimate parish. A place at 1507 West Hatcher Rd. in Phoenix was rented for 3 months as a place of worship than they moved at 5221 W. Motebello Ave suite #6 where a portion of a warehouse was arranged to serve both for worshiping and for parish social functions.<\/p>\n (A note from Gabriel Maftei: …One thing that I want to bring to your attention, is the church was also located in a building rented from Saguaro School. The address is 12835 N. 33rd Ave. Phoenix, AZ 85029. I can’t remember exactly the years we were there, but I know it was during the early to mid 80s and prior to us moving to the Montebello address.)<\/em><\/p>\n After 1983 a lot of other people were active with Romanian community and they are still members today. I will mention a few families: Peter Pascu, George Ardelean, Pitus Puican, Dumitru Pascu, Cornel Barbes, Mike Balos, George Zivan, Ken McNaughton and Lia Puicon.<\/p>\n In 1986 Fr. Costic\u0103 Maftei was released from duties and in 1987 Fr. Aurel Todorescu was appointed. In 1988 the actual land at 3749 W. Behrend Dr. was purchased. Mrs. Veca Heiu\u015e Tuttle, her husband Dr. Jacqueline Tuttle, together with Fr. Todorescu and parishioners participated for the blessing of the ground where the church hall was built. The church hall was built under the architecture design and supervision of Benjamin Barbe\u015e assisted by Ken McNaughton.<\/p>\n In 1990 Fr. Aurel Todorescu was replaced by Fr. Ion Preoteasa then between 1991 to 1997 Fr. Vasile P\u00e2r\u00e2u followed by Fr. Filimon Barbos were serving as parish priests.<\/p>\n