“BUILDING ON TRADITION – PRESERVING THE FAITH”

A church is the flowering of a blessed seed. We can admire the architect and builders, express gratitude to the donors, recite stories of sacrifice and dedication. But churches are creations not of men, but of God. And so it is with the Saint Archangel Michael Church in Saratoga.

The Serbian Orthodox Christians of Santa Clara Valley had a vision to establish a neighborhood parish to fulfill the spiritual needs of the faithful.  This initial group of people was made up of valley farmers, merchants, and business people who shared a common religious belief.  Most of this original collection of believers had long and established roots in the community, many dating back to the late 19th and early 20th century.  Evidence of their contribution to the community is still present today as you drive through the towns of Saratoga, Los Gatos Cupertino, and Campbell, with family names proudly displayed on streets, roads, buildings and remaining orchards.  These were hard working family people who loved their community and their Orthodox Christian faith.

In the summer of 1961, the parishioners officially incorporated as St. Michael Archangel Orthodox Church.  In November of that year, the property at 18870 Allendale Avenue was donated to the church by the Mijo Miljevich family of Saratoga.  The following spring, plans were created and permits were pulled to start construction on the hall that exists today.  Shortly thereafter, construction began on the parish home and religious classroom facilities.  The church building was still in the planning phases when a political shift caused a breakup in the parish and divided the community.  This split unfortunately divided an already small group of parishioners into two much smaller groups.  Half of the members left and established another church in a renovated house in Cupertino.  The other group remained in Saratoga.  In each small group the faithful maintained their existence and provided for the spiritual needs of their fellow believers.  However the building of a church remained a dream due to the lack of resources and people.

With time, the political differences between the two groups were settled.  In the late nineties the two congregations were united as one unified spiritual body.  The combined membership congregated at the larger facility and property site of Saratoga.  A decision was made to sell the Cupertino parcel and use the proceeds to finally realize the dream of an Orthodox Christian Sanctuary established so many years before.  The Cupertino property sale was completed in the spring of 2001.  The sale proceeds along with other funds collected over the years created the financial means to build a church that would accommodate the existing needs of the local Serbian Orthodox Christian Community.  In June of 2001 the building committee of parish members was formed to manage and guide the process.

Years have passed since then, and the spiritual community continues to wait.  Many of our elderly members who have tirelessly contributed to the success and growth of the parish have passed away.  Their sons and daughters desire a religious home to worship, get married, baptize their children, and solemnly pray for deceased loved ones.  With God’s speed and guidance, the Orthodox Christians of Silicon Valley will realize their vision created so many years ago, and continue to spread the message of God’s love.

A church is a sacred building, constructed of earthly materials by human hands.  Men and women whose names are too numerous to mention have contributed their time, their talents, their treasure.  But even devout men and women create nothing by themselves.  As with all Orthodox Churches, the inspiration for Saint Archangel Michael Church is divine.  The hands and hearts of the men and women who will lay its foundation and adorn its interior will be guided by the Holy Spirit.

The building of this Church is a miracle of our Creator.  The seed is beginning to bloom.  And, when it does, the grateful voices of the faithful will rise in praise of the Pantokrator, through whom all things are possible.