When Father Sam Kalamaras departed in August 1971, the parish was left in a quandary for thirteen months. Many wondered who would serve our community until the Archdiocese was able to recommend to us the Reverend Doctor Demetrios Constantelos. A professor at Stockton University, Doctor Constantelos found the time to come and serve our parish almost every Sunday for the thirteen months for which our community is eternally grateful. He helped keep us together during a difficult period of time.

Progress was rapid and outstanding and due only to the devotion of people committed to a purpose. Much excitement and anticipation ran through the thoughts and hopes of all. In the summer of 1972, the Reverend Doctor Sophocles Sophocles served as celebrant priest at the first liturgy on our property in open air. Doctor Sophocles was known to our parish since he filled in when Doctor Constantelos was unavailable. This service was followed by a picnic during which parishioners enjoyed the beautiful surroundings of their new home.

Reverend Father Ernest Arambiges was assigned to the parish on September 15, 1972 and he led this community with vigor and passion, nurturing it from its early childhood into the mature and respected parish of today. His arrival also ushered in a new period in the life of the parish. The coming years would give the Suburban Greek Orthodox Church an identity and foothold within the Baltimore metropolitan area, as well as in the New Jersey Diocese.

The Permanent Building Committee, chaired by Dr. Andrew Vendelis, was formed on October 1, 1972 to give direction and to formulate plans for the complex to be built on Cub Hill Road. Many meetings were held to discuss the available options for our future and what could be built "for the glory of God." The arduous task of selecting an architect to give form to the vision of the early leaders of the church rested with members of this committee. After much deliberation and fact-gathering, the Building Committee selected and recommended Leonard S. Friedman as architect for the entire church complex. So thorough was the research in the selection process that members of the committee took road trips to view other Greek Orthodox churches designed by Mr. Friedman in order to solidify their decision.

As plans progressed, the life of the parish continued to grow. On May 13, 1973 Archbishop Iakovos visited our parish at Parkville Senior High School. Imagine the excitement at hosting His Eminence for the first time in our parish life and in a high school auditorium. This showed the love and support of the Archdiocese and gave everyone the encouragement necessary to carry out their dreams. The first of our Grecian Festivals was held in October 1973 at Cromwell Valley Elementary School. This weekend of celebration, although tiresome, has proven to be and continues to be an unending expression of ethnic pride and community development, not to mention a great source of revenue for all that has been accomplished.

A unique and identifiable program to our community culminated on the weekend of February 15-16, 1974 as the Suburban Players first production of "Fiddler on the Roof" took place at Parkville Senior High School. Now in its twenty-ninth year, this group has typified the Christian ethic of love and used its God given talents promoting fellowship amongst man. We all have been the beneficiaries of all the hard work involved in the efforts of Orthodox and non-Orthodox people who have graced our lives even if only for a brief moment during these productions.

Life is made up of milestones. These are significant moments or events that tend to define exactly who we are. One of these times occurred on May 11, 1974 when the Suburban Greek Orthodox Church received its Christian identity, that of Saint Demetrios. The banquet at the Hunt Valley Inn brought such tears of happiness and joy because now we had an official name. On the following day, ground-breaking took place in the rain.  Ah, the rain! It should be noted that the runner up in the naming of our parish was Saint Andrew. It seems that at almost every major event in the history of the parish, since then, it has rained.