Since Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church purchased their building from a methodist church in 2005, it's been a steady effort to bring more traditional, orthodox touches to the building.
Thursday they installed an iconostasis, a carved wooden piece of architecture meant to hold holy icons.
Emily Dermatas, chairman of the planning committee for the church, said this was two years in the making.
"Two years ago, we were told we might be getting a large donation. And this [anonymous] donor wanted to have an icon screen made known as an iconostasis. So we started researching this in July 2016," Dermatas said. "Now here we are almost in July 2018. The money came in, the donor came in, and we were able to purchase this beautiful iconostasis alter screen that matches the other pieces of the church."
The church will be able to use their six original icons with the new icon screen, and 17 new icons will be installed. Marble flooring has also been installed in the alter area.
Dermatas said getting the iconostasis was a tedious process.
"Everything was made in Kavita, Greece, brought down to the port in Athens, put on a ship, came to Savannah, picked up by a moving company from the Savannah port, given to a mover here in Macon, Georgia, John Hall, and then John Hall brought it to Holy Cross."
Dermatas said word traveled fast to the congregation through Facebook, and they are excited to see the new renovations.
"It's beyond more than blessed to be able to have our Greek Orthodox church all for the glory of God and to show our orthodox traditions and our furnishing and iconography," Dermatas said.
PHOTOS | Iconostasis being installed at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church
The iconostasis and marble flooring aren't the only thing that's new about Holy Cross.
They received a new priest in June.
This will be Father Theodore Ehmer's first time serving in a community by himself. He previously was assistant priest at Holy Trinity Cathedral in Charlotte for three years.
"I'm thankful. It's a little bit intimidating of course because you're on your own for the first time, and when the rubber meets the road, that's you, you're the one steering the ship," Ehmer said.
Between moving to a new place, buying a home and his wife being pregnant, Ehmer said it's been overwhelming. But he's not worried because he knows he has love and support in his new community.
Although a bishop usually assigns priests to different churches, Ehmer said he was happy about moving to Macon.
"Macon is a smaller-sized city, the community is a lot more intimate here... we're excited for that," Ehmer said.
He's also excited to minister to people in the newly renovated space, which he said hearkens back to how traditional orthodox churches were built.
Ehmer said he is ready to commit his heart to this community, whether he's here for 2 years, 25 years or until death.
"I'm excited for that opportunity, I thank God for that opportunity, and really there's just so many beautiful people here," Ehmer said.