How did the Armenian Church of America rise from ashes to become a beacon of faith? In Philadelphia stands the Armenian Church of America. It is a testament to resilience and community. This is the story of Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church. It began in 1934. The church was officially recognized as a parish. This was a part of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America. Very Rev. Fr. Mampre Kalfayan served as Locum-Tenens. This was after the 1933 assassination of Archbishop Ghevont Tourian.
In 1942, the congregation purchased a church. The building was originally built in 1881. It was located at Susquehanna and Marshall Streets. The purchase price was $40000. Archbishop Karekin Hovsepian consecrated the new church on December 27.
Aram and Rose Boornazian were the first couple married. This happened at the newly consecrated Holy Trinity in 1943. Armen and Anahid Babian were the first infants baptized. They were the children of Simon and Ethel Babian.
By 1944, the congregation celebrated the burning of the mortgage. Archbishop Karekin Hovsepian presided over a banquet. In 1945, Holy Trinity hosted the Annual Diocesan Assembly. Bishop Tiran Nersoyan presided as Primate.
Holy Trinity hosted the First Annual ACYOA General Assembly in 1947. Archbishop Tiran Nersoyan presided. Zaven Hovsepian was the Chairman of the first ACYOA Central Council.
Excitement filled the church. It was the venue for two priestly ordinations. Deacon Antranig Ashjian was ordained Fr. Arten. Deacon Hrant Arakelian was ordained Fr. Levon. These were the first and only priestly ordinations at Holy Trinity.
A Pontifical visit occurred in 1960. His Holiness Vazken I came. He was the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians. The community welcomed him warmly.
The church community actively engaged in the Philadelphia Folk Fair. This was during the 1960s. Berjoohy Haigazian led the efforts. The Nationalities Service Center sponsored the event. Volunteer parishioners participated. They promoted Armenian culture. This included cuisine, dance, music, arts, crafts, and history.
Disaster struck on December 1 1964. An arsonist burned the church to the ground. The community had to move on after 22 years. Fortunately, the church owned property in Cheltenham Township. Holy Trinity built a new church there.
Archbishop Mampre Kalfayan created the Diocesan Ladies Auxiliary. Holy Trinity organized a group. It supported the Diocese through fundraising.
Sooren Paretchanian and Sarkis Manoogian headed the Building Committee. They worked with architect John Samuelian and the Kuljian Corporation. Very Rev. Fr. Zaven Arzoumanian led the parish. The Divine Liturgy, Sunday School, and meetings occurred at the Odd Fellows Orphanage.
Archbishop Torkom Manoogian consecrated the new Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church. This was on September 18 1966. He returned a year later. He consecrated the marble baptismal font.
Clement Hrant Kashkashian was the first infant baptized. This occurred at the newly consecrated church on October 9 1966. Helen and Jack Vishab were the first couple married there the following year.
His Holiness Vazken I made a second Pontifical visit in 1968. The Philadelphia Armenian community hosted. The parish hosted the Annual Diocesan Assembly in 1970. Archbishop Torkom Manoogian was elected to a second term as Primate. The parish celebrated the church’s consecration anniversary. They also marked the Primate’s ordination anniversary.
The Holy Trinity ACYOA chapter celebrated its 25th anniversary in 1971. It also hosted the Annual ACYOA General Assembly. Today, the Armenian Church of America stands as a symbol. It embodies faith, culture, and community spirit.