Our Parish - History
Since the arrival of the first Armenians in Cleveland near the turn of the century, interest in perpetuating the religious and cultural aspects of Armenian life has been constant. The first Armenian Church parish was organized in 1911 and in 1912. Bishop Mousheg Seropian celebrated the first Divine Liturgy at Grace Episcopal Church on East 91st Street. Between 1927-28, Cleveland had a regular parish priest, Fr. Vahram Nazaretian, although there was no church. For many years, the community had Divine Liturgy a few times a year with visiting priests at various churches. In the early years, having a church of their own remained but a dream.
It was not until 1950 that a campaign began to collect $50,000 to construct a church and hall. Our present 7-acre property was purchased with the house in April, 1958, for $37,500. In June, 1960, the community was blessed with the visit of His Holiness Catholicos Vazken I, who blessed the large maple tree between the parish house and church. He encouraged the people to fulfil their God-pleasing dream of building a church.
On June 4, 1961, Archbishop Sion Manoogian presided over the Building Committee Kick-Off Banquet at which over $60,000 was pledged. Members of the original building committee were Deacon Nersess Jebejian, Ralph Chakerian, Martha Hacherian, John Chakamian, Joseph Meketarian, Noubar Abdalian, Paul Apkarian, Alice Hacherian and Mary Bennaian. The groundbreaking ceremony was held on March 11, 1962, and construction of the first Armenian Church in Ohio began in August of that year. The design was based on the traditional lines of architecture and art developed during Armenia's rich history.
The Foundation Blessing and Cornerstone Laying ceremonies were held on December 2, 1962. In accordance with church canon, sixteen godfathers participated in the ceremony in honor of the eleven apostles, four evangelists and St. Gregory the Enlightener.
On April 12, 1964, in fulfillment of the community's dream, Cleveland's Armenian Church was consecrated in a solemn service by His Eminence Archbishop Sion Manoogian, assisted by Very Rev. Fr. Vasken Kebreslian, Rev. Fr. Arnak Kasparian, Rev. Fr. Diran Papazian, Very Rev. Fr. Jirayr Tashjian and Deacon Nersess Jebejian. The church was named by its godfather, Kegham K. Goekjian, for St. Gregory of Narek, a tenth century monk, teacher, mystic and writer, whose Book of Narek is one of the glories of classical Armenian religious literature.
The first sacrament to take place was the baptism of Nancy Davidian and the confirmation of Kenneth and Steven Davidian on April 19, 1964. The first wedding was that of Jack and Eileen Hacherian in August, 1964. Since then countless sacraments have been performed, perpetuating the richness of the religious heritage which has sustained Armenians through many dark days.
Another important step was taken in the preservation and growth of the community when ground was broken for the Cultural Hall. The hall was designed to compliment the church and was dedicated on April 9, 1972, by Archbishop Torkom Manoogian.
On April 24, 1966, a granite monument was dedicated on the church grounds to commemorate the 1.5 million Armenians who were massacred by the Turks between 1915 and 1918. An annual requiem service takes place before this monument each year on April 24 or the Sunday closest.
The church community has always demonstrated great generosity in its support of church and cultural projects and events. This generosity has also been of great assistance for the aid of Armenians in Turkey and Lebanon and most recently by its raising of over $100,000 for relief after the devastating earthquake of 1988.
St. Gregory of Narek Armenian Church is fortunate to have a strong history of outstanding religious leadership. The following clergy have served since the organizing of the parish:
2006-Pres. Deacon Artak Khachikyan
2002-2006 Deacon Serop Demirjian
1999-2002 Reverend Father Haroutiun Dagley
1992-1999 Very Reverend Father Simeon Odabashian
1989-1992 Deacon Serop Demirjian
1988-1989 Very Reverend Father Sooren Chinchinian
1985-1987 Reverend Father Terenig Kondralian
1972-1985 Reverend Father Diran Papazian
1967-1972 Very Reverend Father Arshag Khatchadourian
1965-1967 Very Reverend Father Vasken Kebreslian
1961-1964 Deacon Nersess Jebejian