2nd (and 3rd) Campus Goal:

The tradition at Saint Elias is that we are the mother church and the engine of growth for Orthodox Christianity in Central Texas. We have struggled in recent years to see how we can honor this tradition while also expanding our existing facilities to keep pace with the needs of our growing community. Through parish-wide meetings and lively debate we arrived at a pioneering “Second Campus” solution.

Simply put, we plan to grow not by dividing our church, but by expanding its ministries and resources. Saint Elias will remain one community, worshipping and growing our faith from two or more locations. The historic downtown campus, a north campus, and a future south campus will stand together, each serving its own unique ministry with the expanded resources made possible by accelerating growth at each location.

This plan calls us to go forward in faith as one growing community. Saint Elias will look forward to a third campus, probably to the south, and perhaps a fourth and fifth campus to follow. This expansion will also allow us to satisfy directives from our Metropolitan and our Bishop. As one growing family we can bring to fruition the tradition of growing the faith that was planted by the founding families of Saint Elias. This missionary outreach will target the expanding Central Texas population that desperately needs the living waters of the Orthodox Faith.

Download the latest flier for the 2nd Campus by clicking here.

Lastest News From Our Facebook Page:

2nd Campus Site Update:

A number of questions have come up that we want to address. If you have any questions, please be sure to let me know!

Question 1: Why have we selected the “Noah’s Ark” piece of land near the intersection of 45, Mopac, and I35?

• Proximity to Current and Future Parishioners: The “center of gravity” for St. Elias (the center of all the church’s families) is in the North Central part of Austin at about 2222 and Mopac. The center of new growth for both the parish and Central Texas is even further north. The site selected is in the center of that burgeoning growth.
• Austin’s New Downtown will be  “Uptown.” The new campus will be located near the center of population growth in the nation’s fastest-growing suburbs. This particular area is projected to be a new “downtown.” Check this out: http://impactnews.com/austin-metro/round-rock-pflugerville-hutto.
• Accessibility.  The church location will be near all major North/South and East/West highways in North Austin. It couldn’t be easier to see and find.
• Noah’s Ark II:  The actual legal description of this land includes the name “Noah’s Ark!”  This isn’t exactly a reason to choose this site—but, it certainly is a reminder that we are called to be the “Ark of Salvation!”

Question 2: You say it’s on a hill—but, it looks pretty flat—where’s the hill? Here’s the good news: it’s a flat piece of land on a high ridge! Because the land is flat it will be very easy to build on. But, because it’s on a ridge that can be seen from at least 8 miles north of the site, our new church may well be a very visible landmark for all the people who live, travel and work in this “New Uptown Downtown.”

Keep the questions coming!