The William Penn Chapter No. 61 of the Order of AHEPA (American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association) was organized in Reading, Berks County, Pa., by one of the original founders of AHEPA, the late George A. Polos.
Brother Polos came to Reading in the early months of 1925 and spent several weeks in the community talking to Reading-area Greek-Americans about the AHEPA. He initiated the first group of AHEPANs into the Fraternal Order. On March 16, 1925, he initiated another group of 18 members into the AHEPA.
Twenty-five of these brothers signed the petition on May 2, 1925, asking the "Supreme Council of AHEPA," as it was then known, to grant them a charter. The Reading AHEPA Chapter was the sixth one organized in Pennsylvania (and the 61st chartered in the United States).
The official charter for Chapter No. 61 was dated March 16, 1925.
In 1926, the first major banquet was sponsored by the Reading AHEPA Chapter, and among the dignitaries attending were Reading Mayor William Sherman, Berks County Judge John D. Shaffer, and Berks County Superintendent of Schools E.M. Rapp.
Another banquet was held in 1928 with Robert Birch as toastmaster, and among those attending were Mayor J. Henry Stump, the Rev. Miller, and Congressman Charles J. Esterly.
In 1933, the Reading Chapter was host to the Pennsylvania AHEPA District Convention, and just prior to the Convention, the Reading Times newspaper published a glowing editorial on July 10, 1933, praising the work of the local AHEPA chapter.
Now came the Chapter's golden years. With capable men assuming the leadership, the respect for the AHEPA grew, many activities of all kinds were held, and many more joined the Fraternal Order.
The AHEPA Parade Patrol was organized and, under the leadership of the late Peter Eleftheriou, won many awards, including first prize in Easton, Pa.'s 50th Anniversary Parade.
The AHEPA Greek Award was established by the Chapter and given every year to a student attending Albright College who excelled in the studies of Greek.
Then came World War II. Many members of the Order of AHEPA served in the U.S. Armed Forces. Some were wounded in combat, but all eventually returned with honorable discharges to rejoin the local Chapter. The Reading Chapter participated in the AHEPA drive to sell War Bonds and, as a result, the entire Order of AHEPA was commended by the U.S. Government for the millions of dollars of War Bonds its members sold.
In 1946, when Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church purchased the building at 8th and Court Streets in downtown Reading and moved the church facilities there, Chapter 61 donated the cost of the Iconostasis (Icon Screen). The cost of the Iconostasis was $1,835, and this was at a time when Chapter dues were $6 per year, and Church membership dues were $12 per year.
When the present church building at 1001 E. Wyomissing Blvd. was built in 1970, that Iconostasis was taken apart, brought over to the new church from downtown Reading and reassembled, and was used until the present newer Iconostasis was installed in 1995. Some parts of the old Iconostasis are now on display in the church’s Heritage Room.
On May 5, 1957, the Reading AHEPA Chapter hosted a banquet honoring Berks County President Judge H. Robert Mays and Judge Marks on their retirement that year. Charles Alvin Jones, the Chief Justice of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, was the main speaker.
In 1959, the Reading AHEPA Chapter entered into an agreement with Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church to rent the old Greek School building at 734 Walnut Street in downtown Reading for $500 per year for its chapter headquarters.
Although this was a commendable effort to provide a home for the local chapter, it later proved to be the downfall of the chapter and almost caused its extinction. Of course, the division of the church that took place about that same time aggravated the situation.
In 1974, the Reading AHEPA chapter was reorganized under the leadership of Michael Firilas, an immigrant from Cyprus, and many new members were initiated, old members were reinstated, and the chapter became very active once again. Brother Firilas was elected to the office of District Governor of Power District No. 4 and later to the Supreme Lodge of the Order of AHEPA.
Brother Firilas was also involved in the national level of AHEPA to lobby for Cyprus after the Turkish invasion of the island.
Around this time, the Daughters of Penelope Proteus Chapter No 197 was re-activated, with most of the wives of AHEPA members joining the local chapter.
In 1978, the Reading AHEPA Chapter hosted the Pennsylvania District Convention again, with many city, county and state officials attending the formal District Banquet on June 17.
Under the leadership of chapter Presidents Bill Sianis, Gus Varish, Spyros Phyrillas, Stratton Marmarou and Tony Phyrillas, the Reading AHEPA chapter enjoyed a renaissance from the mid-1980s to the mid-1990s, hosting another successful Pennsylvania District Convention in 1988, establishing the first Chapter Scholarship Fund and winning recognition from Power District No. 4 for the initiation of most new members and reinstatement of past members. Chapter membership peaked at 80 during those years.
The Reading AHEPA Chapter hosted a District 4 Bowling Tournament and formed its first Chapter Softball Team during this time.
The Chapter sent full delegations to all District and National AHEPA Conventions throughout these 10 years. Several chapter members served on the District Lodge and Brother Michael Firilas was again elected as a Supreme Governor of the Order of AHEPA. Brother Firilas was also named 1991 AHEPAN of the Year by Power District No. 4.
The Reading AHEPA chapter also held two successful banquets in honor of U.S. Congressman Gus Yatron (a longtime member of the Reading AHEPA Chapter) and the two pastors who served the Greek Orthodox churches in Reading: Rev. Thomas Pappalas and Rev. Spyridon Papademetriou. The events received coverage in the local Reading newspapers.
During this time, the Reading AHEPA Chapter also attended Reading City Council meetings every March to accept a proclamation for Greek Independence Day from the council and the mayor.
As financial scandals rocked the national AHEPA during the mid-1990s and criminal charges were filed against its top leadership, membership in the fraternity declined significantly and the Reading Chapter, like many others across the country, fell into a period of dormancy. The local chapter was kept alive by Tony Phyrillas, who served 11 years as president and handled most administrative duties for the chapter.
In 2010, a new effort was put forth to return the chapter to its glory days, spearheaded by Gust C. Kraras. Many new members were initiated, and former members were reinstated. A new set of officers was elected, continuing the tradition of their illustrious predecessors. Dr. George Giovanis was elected president, an office he would hold for the next 15 years as he guided the chapter to a new resurgence.
The chapter brought back the Annual AHEPA Day at Saints Constantine and Helen Church each May. The Sunday includes a Memorial Service for all our departed Brothers, followed by a meal served after church. Also, a booklet with all the names of the departed Brothers, the present chapter officers, and the present membership is prepared for distribution to all parishioners that day.
In collaboration with the local St. Xenia Philoptochos Society, the chapter organized a successful Christmas Party for the children of the Saints Constantine and Helen community in 2011, with about 250 children and adults attending. The event has continued in various forms, with proceeds going to charity.
Also, a new idea was put into practice of holding regular dinner meetings at Reading-area restaurants, where the Brothers can enjoy fellowship as true AHEPANS.
An annual AHEPA Golf Tournament was organized, bringing the brothers together for a game of golf, and their families joined afterward for a casual picnic social. The event was eventually named in honor of our late Brother Ernie Orphanos, who organized the first tournament and chaired the event for several years as Athletic Director. The golf tournament, under the chairmanship of Michael Macaronis and Phil Macaronis, continues to serve as the chapter's main source of scholarship revenue each year.
The Reading AHEPA Chapter was recognized as Chapter of the Year in Pennsylvania in 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2015.
By the end of 2013, chapter membership topped 100 Brothers, making William Penn Chapter 61 one of the largest AHEPA chapters in Pennsylvania (and the entire AHEPA domain).
Another milestone for the chapter occurred in 2015. On June 1, 2015, the chapter was renamed in honor of Gust C. Kraras during a 90th Anniversary Banquet. Brother Kraras is a 70-year member of the Order of AHEPA and was a Past District Governor of District No. 5 in New Jersey. Brother Kraras was instrumental in reviving the Reading AHEPA Chapter and guiding its resurgence in the 21st century.
An annual highlight on the chapter calendar is the Scholarship Banquet held each Spring to recognize outstanding high school graduates from our community. Since 2011, the chapter has awarded more than $50,000 in scholarships.
Work is underway to celebrate the Reading chapter's 100th anniversary in 2025.
-- Chapter History Compiled by Gust C. Kraras and Tony A. Phyrillas
