The first Divine Liturgy in Palm Desert was celebrated by Archbishop Vatche Hovsepian in 1976 at St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church. In 1977 a meting was held to begin the organization of a parish, during which time an interim Parish Council was appointed led by Vagharsh Bedoian. Church services continued at St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church from 1977 to 2004, with priests and deacons provided by the Diocese. A choir directed by Anna Bedoian sang the Liturgy accompanied by organist Velo Herbekian.

In 1978 the Ladies Society was organized under the leadership of Anna Bedoian, and during a meeting in 1979 the Primate appointed an official Parish Council with Vagharsh Bedoian serving as the first chairman. In September 1980 Archbishop Hovsepian presided over the first Parish Assembly, and in November the Armenian Apostolic Church was formally established.

From 1981 to the present Church services have been held six times a year. Parishioners have been instrumental in gathering the necessary funds for the continuity of the parish. In 1999 a land of 4.6 acres was purchased in Rancho Mirage and a Building Committee was formed to begin construction of a Church. The following year the consecration ceremony was held presided by Archbishop Vatche Hovsepian. Ground was broken in 2003 and construction began.

On December 19, 2004 Rev. Fr. Mikayel Kyuregyan celebrated the Divine Liturgy in the newly constructed Kirkjan Family Hall.

On January 29, 2005 His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate, presided over the Dedication of the Hall. As part of the Dedication celebrations the Primate celebrated Divine Liturgy on January 30.Armenian Church of the Desert.