Церковь Сурб Саак и Сурб Месроп (Провиденс, Род-Айленд, США)

Шаблон:Churcht St. Sahag & St. Mesrob Armenian Apostolic Church (Providence) Армянская Апостольская Церковь св-ых Саака и Месропа (Провиденс)http://www.armenianchurch.net/parishes/info.php?parishid=57

Providence, RI Sts. Sahag and Mesrob Armenian Church

70 Jefferson St. Providence, RI 02908 Metro Area: Providence, RI Telephone: (401) 272-7712 Fax: (401) 272-2832 Email: office@stsahmes.org WebSite: www.stsahmes.org

History

Established: 1897 Consecrated: June 7, 1914

Sanctuary: The parish owns its permanent sanctuary, which is the original one. The building was bought from the Jefferson St. Baptist Church for $9,100 in 1913. In the 1950s, the parish built the Egavian Cultural Center adjacent to the church. An expansion in 1963 brought an office and seven classrooms. There was another expansion in 1995. Major donors include Dr. Sarkis Kechejian, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Gorvetzian, Mr. Vahram Rejebian, and the Manas and Nazar Sherenian families.

Important Events: Catholicos Vazken I visited in 1960 and Catholicos Karekin I in 1996. The parish awards the Charles Yaghoobian, Jr., Memorial Award in sports.

Providence Church Looks at Life of St. Gregory of Narek

Providence Honors Priestly Anniversary

Diocesan Clergy Grows with New Priest Ordinations, New Pastor Assignments Statistics

Armenians in general area: 10,000

Estimated number of members: 900

Dues-paid members: 450

Average number of sacraments: Baptisms: 14 Weddings: 6 Funerals: 32

(Figures from 2001) Pastors V. Rev. Fr. Vaghinag Sisagian, 1897-99; V. Rev. Fr. Khat Markarian, 1899-1900; V. Rev. Fr. Arsen Vehouni 1901-04; V. Rev. Fr. Mesrob Maksoudian, Rev. Fr. Sahag Minassian, and Rev. Fr. Avedis Shagoian, 1904; Rev. Fr. Theodoros Issahagian, 1904-07; Rev. Fr. Azaria Boyajian, Rev. Fr. Levont Bahlavouni, and V. Rev. Fr. Dripoun Bidzagian, 1907; V. Rev. Fr. Tavid Der Avedisian, 1907-09; Rev. Fr. Serovpe Nershabouh, 1910-11; Rev. Fr. Azaria Boyajian, 1911-12; V. Rev. Fr. Vagharshag Arshagouni 1913-17; V. Rev. Fr. Dirayr Markarian, 1917-19; Rev. Fr. Tavit Der Avedisian, 1919-21; V. Rev. Fr. Ghevont Martoogesian, 1921-29; Rev. Fr. Yeghishe Kalchinjian, 1929-31; Rev. Fr. Arsen Torosian, 1931; Rev. Fr. Yeghiazar Ashjian, 1931-32; Rev. Fr. Yeghishe Kalchinjian, 1932-36; Rev. Fr. Zkon Charkoogian, 1936-38; V. Rev. Fr. Sion Manoogian, 1938-45; V. Rev. Fr. Ghevont Arabian, 1945; V. Rev. Fr. Isahak Ghazarian, 1946-47; Rev. Fr. Vahan Jelalian, 1947-50; V. Rev. Fr. Krikor Voskanian, 1950; Rev. Fr. Shahe Altounian, 1950-58; Rev. Fr. Haik Donikian, 1958-80; V. Rev. Fr. Vazken Keshishian, 1980-83; V. Rev. Fr. Shnork Kasparian, 1983-85; V. Rev. Fr. Baret Yeretzian, 1985-93; V. Rev. Fr. Ghevont Samoorian, 1994-97; Rev. Fr. Haik Donikian, 1997-1999, Rev. Fr. Tateos Abdalian, 1999-2001 Parish Council John Kazarian, Chairman Linda Minassian, Vice Chairman Joyce Avedisian, Secretary Zita Butler, Assistant Secretary Ara Boghigian, Treasurer Gary Taraian, Assistant Treasurer Council Members: Hagop Ghajanian, David Griego, Armen Janigian, Melanie Krikorian, Paul Parnagian Delegates: Ara Boghigian, George Chakoian, Bertha Mugurdichian, Steven Megrdichian, Nathalie Yaghoobian

Church Schools

Sunday School: 88 students

Armenian School: 43 students

Church Publications

Paros, a monthly newsletter Parish Organizations

5{'s Guild/Ladies' Auxiliary, 90 members; ACYOA Juniors, 15 members; Choir, 20 members; Junior Choir, 22 members; Senior Citizens Group, 80 members; Bible Study, 20 members; Cultural Committee, 13 members; Sports Scholarship Committee, 4 members

http://www.stsahmes.org/History/SSMhistory_1.html

History A Brief History of Sts. Sahag & Mesrob Armenian Church

The following account was taken from the church's 75th Diamond Jubilee booklet and was written in 1988. It covers the years 1875 through 1988. As part of the preparations for the church's 90th anniversary this article is being update to include the past 16 years. When completed, it will be posted here. If you have any facts or materials you'd wish to contribute, click here.

The Armenian settlement of Providence was an extension of the Worcester community. It is said that in 1875 Hagop Boghigian arrived in America and settled in Massachusetts. He wrote to his relatives and friends in the Old Country and informed them that there were many opportunities for work in Worcester. These people left their homes and settled in Worcester, which at that time was the Armenian center of America. However, because of the great immigration to America during that era, unemployment rose in Worcester. Two well-educated Armenians, Krikor Krikorian and Dicran Kohararian, who both knew English well, attempted to find employment in the Providence area for the new arrivals. Soon, Armenians came to Providence and the surrounding cities, and thus the small Armenian community of Providence was established in the year 1888 with a population of about thirty-five. After the massacre of1895-1896, Armenians, seeking freedom and protection, came to these shores in ever increasing numbers.

The increase of the Armenian population was accompanied by an increase in religious and educational activities. The Primate of the Armenians in Worcester, the Very Reverend Hovsep Saradjian (later Bishop) visited the Providence community to celebrate the Divine Liturgy and in general to give spiritual guidance. During one of his visits, he formed a Parish Council and an Armenian National Library Association.

The Parish Council invited various priests to conduct religious services and give spiritual guidance to the members of the community. Soon afterwards, the Diocese of Providence was formed, encompassing Pawtucket, Woonsocket, Central Falls, Fall River, Hartford, and New Britain.

Because of some problems in the community, the then Primate, Reverend Malakia Derounian, came to Providence, resolved the problems and reorganized the Parish Council.

A community leader, Mr. Avedis Deroyantz, recommended that the Very Reverend Vaghinag Sisagian be the first permanent pastor. In response to this request from the community, the Catholicos, His Holiness Krimian Hairig, assigned Father Sisagian to Providence. Upon his arrival on May 30, 1897, Father Sisagian was honored by an enthusiastic reception from the parishioners. He established, according to a census, that the Armenian population of Providence was in excess of five hundred. At this time a new Parish Council was formed, consisting ofthe following members:

Kalousd Borchagian Zakar Sarkisian Boghos Yaghjian Dr. Shahbazian Kachadoor Sahagian Thomas Jelalian Shahen Shahinian Manoog Serabiim Setrag Soghigian Nazaret Tateosian Avedis Deroyantz Mardiros Khemetian

In a very short time the first pastor accomplished a great deal in religious and educational fields, and created a harmonious atmosphere among the parishioners. He also formed the Church Choir, orchestra, and a Boy Scout Troop and enriched the library with many additional volumes. He established contact with local dignitaries and other non-Armenian churchmen to make them aware ofthe existence of our Church and community. It was a great loss to the community when he passed away on July 14, 1899 at an early age, leaving a record of memorable service to this community.

In 1901, Very Reverend Arsen Vehouni was elected as pastor of the church and served for a period of three years. During this time he formed the Ladies Branch of the Armenian Relief Association (1901) which later became the Ladies Aid Society in 1911. In 1904, he became Vicar General under Bishop Saradjian. After his promotion, the Providence parish was left without regular spiritual leadership for about four years, during which time a large number of priests served for only very short terms.

In August 1913, Archbishop Kevork Utujian was sent to Providence by the Catholicos to revitalize and reorganize the parish. After his arrival in Providence, he formed a new Parish Council and instilled in the parish a spirit of cooperation which enabled the people to establish a permanent Church. The following were the members of the new Parish Council: Nishan Pashalian, Chairman; Hovhannes Abajian, ViceChairman; Toros Vartanian, Secretary; Eghia Kimatian, Assistant-Secretary; Avedis Geoljikian, Treasurer; Sump at Kalunian, Keeper of Seals; Hampartzoum Sbaroian, Auditor; Manoog Kazarian and Aharon Demourdjian, Advisors.

A Brief History of Sts. Sahag & Mesrob Armenian Church

The Renaissance of the Providence Armenian Community and the Purchase of a Church Building

The year 1913 must be regarded as the renaissance of the Providence Armenian Community because thereafter started a new chapter in its history. The dream of having a church building of our own finally came true. Prior to 1913, services were held in a hall at 50 Exchange Place.

In the preceding years, several attempts to build a church had met with failure. According to the minutes of Council meeting of 1905, an attempt was made to purchase a Swedish Church at auction. Because they had but five hundred dollars, and fund raising was delayed, this opportunity was lost. A similar situation took place in 1906 with the same unfortunate result. In another instance, efforts were made to purchase land with the intention of constructing a church but this also met with failure.

The date August 13,1913 will be remembered as one of the most important in the history of the Church. On that day the pastor of the Jefferson Baptist Church informed Mr. Avedis Deroyantz that the Jefferson Street Church was to be sold because they were uniting with another Baptist Church and this would be an excellent opportunity for the Armenians to purchase a church. Mr. Deroyantz conveyed this information to Messrs. Baba Kalunian, Zakar Danielian, Hovhannes Abajian and Boghos Yaghjian, Chairman of the Parish Council. After consultation, the Parish Council elected the following committee to negotiate with the Baptist officials regarding the purchase of the Church: Avedis Goeljikian, Baba Kalunian, and Hovhannes Abajian. This committee eventually came to a final agreement with the Baptists. The purchase documents were signed by Zakar Danielian, Baba Kalunian and Avedis Goeljikian. Hovhannes (John) Abajian, a Notary Public, had prepared and notarized these documents. The leading members ofthe community were then invited to a general meeting. Although unsuccessful attempts were made to disrupt this meeting, work proceeded as planned. Present at the meeting were more than two hundred persons, from whom a large committee was organized with the purpose of raising funds for the purchase of the church. The officers of this committee were the following: Setrag Sohigian, Chairman; Nigoghos Kashmanian, Secretary; Boghos Yaghjian, Treasurer; Harootiun Garabedian, Hagop Jo:rjorian, Garabed Sarafian, Alexan Manougian, Garabed Mooradian, Kevork Avedisian, Aslan Elmassian, and Avedis Talanian, Advisors. The Negotiating Committee announced the purchase of the Church for $9,100 and that Mr. Danielian had bound the agreement for sixty days by a personal payment of $100.

As a first step before final purchase it was essential that the Church be officially organized and chartered. Therefore, on behalf of the Church, the following members made an application to the Secretary of State of Rhode Island for a charter of incorporation under the name of Armenian A,postolic Church of Providence: Zakar Danielian, Avedis Goeljikian, Sumpat Kalunian, Manoog Kazarian, and Baba Kalunian. The charter was granted and sealed by J.Fred Parker, Secretary of State, on September 26,1913.

The fund-raising committee collected $3,000 which was paid to the Baptist Church on December 22, 1913. The balance of the purchase price was secured by two mortgages - $2,300 with the Baptist Church and $3,800 with Citizens Savings Bank. The mortgage papers were signed by Zakar Danielian and Baba Kalunian on behalf ofthe Church. The record shows that the $2,300 mortgage with the Baptist Church was fully paid July 19, 1915. In the ensuing years the mortgage structure appears to have changed and in 1922, the balance due on the mortgage was $5,100. Because of serious financial difficulties it was found necessary to acquire an additional mortgage of $6,000, which brought the total mortgage debt to $11,100. This latter mortgage was signed by Haroutiune Garabedian, Sarkis Najarian, and Sarkis Messerlian.

Fortunately, in the following years through the untiring efforts of the Parish Councils, the Church was able to retire all mortgage debts and in 1936 the mortgage papers were burned at an enthusiastic celebration held in the Church Hall.

Saints Sahag and Mesrob Armenian Church 70 Jefferson Street Providence, RI 02908 Telephone: 401.272.7712 Fax: 401.272.2832 e-mail: office@stsahmes.org

Pastor The Very Rev. Father Simeon Odabashian

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