By the turn of the 20th century, Greeks had settled and opened their own businesses in the East Bay Area of Northern California. The early Greek immigrants did not have a place of worship and would travel by ferry boat to Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in San Francisco for religious services. Periodically the Holy Trinity priest would travel to Oakland to officiate at baptisms, weddings, and funerals. By 1914, Greeks, Syrians, and Lebanese were celebrating the Divine Liturgy in the Native Sons Hall on 11th and Clay Streets in Oakland. The Hellenic Community of Oakland and Vicinity was formally chartered on February 16, 1917. Within four years a church was built for the sizable sum of $30,000.

The Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption at 920 Brush Street was dedicated on May 22, 1921, with more than 250 people in attendance.

In 1932, the parish home adjacent to the church was demolished and a Community center, Adamantios Koraes Hall, was built on that site. By 1960, the community outgrew its facilities and the Brush Street property (Church of the Assumption) was sold.

Having met the criteria of both architectural and cultural significance, the church escaped the fate of the demolition and is listed on both the National and State Registers as an Historical Landmark.