Please Donate!

As a not-for-profit organization, St. Nicholas depends on the generous donations of people such as yourself to continue the vital work of the Church in the world today.

Along with allowing St. Nicholas to “keep its lights on,” your contributions support (among other things) church school and adult education classes, sustaining the live-stream services, continuing choir improvement projects, the St. Nicholas African Education Fund, and books and icons for our parish bookstore — a source of spiritual nourishment for our members as well as an entryway into Orthodoxy for the uninitiated visitor.

Your generosity is greatly appreciated.

At the Annual Meeting of St. Nicholas Orthodox Church on February 2, 2025, the following proposal was unanimously approved:

“RESOLUTION The St. Nicholas Church Parish Council shall be authorized to enter into contract to purchase the property located at 3255-3257 Wilder Road, Santa Rosa, CA for a sale price of $720,000. The Council shall be authorized on behalf of the St Nicholas Church to attempt to secure a mortgage against the Wilder Road property and/or encumber the Church rectory located at Woodland Ave., San Anselmo, CA to finance the Wilder Road property purchase. The Parish Council shall also pursue fundraising to increase funds in the retirement savings account for the down payment.”

The property has been generously offered to the church by Deacon George and Matushka Peg Golitzin at a price that is well below its market value. This is a unique opportunity that will allow the church to provide retirement housing for Father Stephan and Matushka Elaine Meholick, honoring the promise made to them when they first came to St. Nicholas thirty years ago. In addition, it will also build value for the parish because it consists of 3 units (a single-family dwelling to be used as the retirement home and two additional rental units).

To secure a favorable loan and a reasonable monthly mortgage, we should have a total of $300,000 for the down payment. We currently have donations and pledges of approximately $158,000, which includes a $5000 donation received immediately following the Annual Meeting.

Thus, we need to raise an additional $142,000. The Parish Council is looking at several ways to do this (including many good suggestions provided at the Annual Meeting), and one of these is asking you to make a pledge separate from your regular pledge supporting the parish’s yearly expenses.

For planning purposes, the Parish Council would be grateful to receive your pledge as soon as you are able. While there is no fixed date for Father Stephan’s retirement, we would like to move forward with the purchase as soon as possible. Your help is needed now. Please make a donation!

If you prefer not to donate online, you can mail or bring in a check payable to St. Nicholas Church. Please indicate on your check that the donation is for the “Retirement Property.”