Papanikolas, Helen Zeese

Helen Z. Papanikolas was born in 1917(?) in Cameren, Utah, the daughter of Greek immigrant parents. She became a researcher and writer on Greek American history and Utah local history and has worked for the Utah Historical Society.

Short history of Utah's Greek community by Mike Korologos:

On October 22, 2005, the Greek Orthodox Church Community of Greater Salt Lake observed its 100th anniversary. The festivities marked the founding of the first Greek Orthodox Church in Utah, a historically significant occurrence because strong ties to the church are at the core of the founding, perpetuating and expanding Greek presence in the Utah and the West.

Drawn to America and westward to Utah by the promise of jobs, primarily in mineral extraction and the expanding railroad, the Greek pioneer immigrants were seeking a better life than what they faced their native land. With the first major influx of immigrants from Greece occurring between 1900 and1920, (the second was in the 1960s) the early arrivals experienced many hardships, ridicule, prejudice and tragedy. With determination, hard work and with the church fulfilling their religious, social and cultural necessities, the immigrants cobbled together a foundation on which subsequent generations continue to build.

At the time of the centennial observance, some 5,000 citizens of Greek ancestors resided in the Salt Lake Valley with two Greek Orthodox Churches still serving as the catalyst for perpetuating Greek customs, language, traditions and religious beliefs. Driven by the work ethic of their forefathers who stressed upon them the necessity of a good education, the Greek-Americans of Utah has grown in prominence and includes significant number of leaders in the business, cultural, political, educational, judicial, and religious landscape of the Utah, the West and nationally.

To commemorate its 100th anniversary, the Greek Orthodox Community in Utah published a hard-cover, 176-page history entitled "100 Years of Faith and Fervor-A History of the Greek Orthodox Church Community of Greater Salt Lake City, Utah 1905-2005." Long-time chronicler of the Greek community in Salt Lake City, Constantine J. Skedros, is the author.