St Vincent of Lerins Orthodox church was founded in 1990 by a group of former Episcopalians.  They were looking for the sound theology and teachings of the Orthodox church, while still being able to worship using the Western Rite. After meeting at St Mary’s Orthodox Church for a time, they purchased a rectory, and the congregation worshiped in a chapel located in the basement.

 

After their priest left in 1991, and for a time, the parish had no permanently assigned priest. During this time, substitute clergy served liturgies when available, with the most common being Fr Nicholas Klodnicki.

 

In 1993, another former Omaha Episcopal group converted to Orthodoxy, led by Fr. Stephen Walinski. He was ordained as an Orthodox priest, after which he became the second Rector of St Vincent’s.  For a while, the parish worshiped in the sanctuary of a Baptist church, before purchasing a church building in 1994, located in the Benson area of Omaha.

 

In 2004, Fr Stephen was elevated to the rank of Archpriest, and retired a short time later.  Theodore Eklund, from St. Marks Orthodox Church in Denver, was ordained a priest in September of that same year, and became St Vincent’s third Rector, in October 2024.  In June 2005, Nicholas Tilden was ordained to the Diaconate, and assigned to serve as St Vincent’s deacon.