Following the disastrous earthquake of December 7, 1988, in Armenian, a committee was formed to activate our earthquake relief fund. Several trailers of clothing and medical supplies were provided by parishioners and friends. Additionally, approximately $230,000 was sent to the Armenian Diocese Relief Fund. Our Church’s efforts were coordinated with the two other local Armenian churches.
A Special Parish Assembly authorized a new Armenian Style cupola for the top of the steeple which eventually cost $209,000. A new cross was donated by Mr. Paul G. Hanoian. A new electronic organ was donated by Mr. and Mrs. Edward Mardigian (Southfield, Michigan) the sanctuary’s sound system was upgraded.
In 1991, our parish lost its senior Diocesan Delegate, Judge John K. Najarian, who had dedicated forty years of service to our Diocese and our parish. He was Chairman of the Diocesan Council, Chairman of the Diocesan Unity Committee, and was closely involved in parish activities.
The Armenian Church awards the Saint Nersess Shorhali Medal for dedicated service to the Church and Armenian Community. The individuals in our parish on whom this honor has been bestowed are: Raffie Najarian (deceased), Martin Bolodian (deceased), William Aznavourian, Deacon A. Edward Norigian (deceased), Deacon Kachadoor (Crosby) Kazarian (deceased), and George Chakoian. Their dedication, devotion, and service to our Church and Diocese is deeply appreciated.
The year 1993 was highlighted by two Special Parish Assemblies and the re-assignment of our pastor, the Very Reverend Father Baret Yeretzian. In April 1993, the First Special Parish Assembly authorized the sale of the 6.5 acres of land donated to the Church in 1964 by the Anjoorian Family for $45,000.
The second Special Parish Assembly in September 1993 authorized an $880,000 project for the renovation and expansion of the Egavian Cultural Center. The approved project included an elevator, enlarged kitchen, a totally renovated and expanded Cultural Center, new offices, a larger entrance to accommodate the elevator, and additional meeting rooms. The project would proceed when donations and pledges reached $500,000 with any remaining cost to be covered by mortgage financing, if necessary.
The $500,000 goal in donations and pledges was reached by May 1, 1994. In June 1994, clergy, parishioners, and contractor personnel participated in the groundbreaking ceremony. Construction was completed by February 1995. The first event in the renovated and expanded facilities was an optional black tie gala reception for all donors in March 1995, followed by a banquet the next day to officially open the facilities. The official dedication banquet and the blessing of the facilities by the Primate, Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, and the presentation of a Gontag (Encyclical) to a major benefactor, Mrs. Edward (Siroon) Egavian, took place in October 1995.
The total cost of construction and equipment was $910,000. The Church assumed a $250,000 mortgage in 1997. In 1999, the Church received $1,250,000 from the estate of Paul G. Hanoian in November of 1998. Adhering to the terms of the bequest, the money was used to discharge the remaining mortgage balance, provide for capital improvements to the church steeple cross maintenance and the establishment of several endowment funds, the earnings of which will be used to award grants to individuals studying for the priesthood and for church operating expenses. For his thoughtful generosity, the multi-purpose addition to the Egavian Cultural Center is now named The Paul G. Hanoian Memorial Wing.
Our Pastor, the Very Reverend Baret Yeretzian, celebrated his final Divine Liturgy in our parish in September 1993. After having served eight years, Hayr Soorp was assigned by His Eminence, Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, to be the pastor at St. John Armenian Church, Southfield, Michigan. Over 300 parishioners and friends attended a Farewell Dinner to bid goodbye to Hayr Soorp and wish him God’s speed in his new parish.
In March 1994, the Very Reverend Father Ghevont Samoorian was officially assigned to our Church. An immediate program recommended by Hayr Soorp and approved by the Parish Council was the Stewardship Program, the objective of which was to place the Church’s financial situation on more stable ground. The Church’s Annual Rug Sale, which began in the mid 1980’s and had generated sizeable income, had its final sale in April 1994 due to declining revenue.
With the recommendation of our pastor, the Parish Council approved that Maestro Konstantin Petrossian be retained as the Church’s Music Director. The Erepouni Cultural Society, having served our parish for 17 years with the dedicated leadership of Deacon Hagop Ghajanian, was melded into the newly formed Cultural Committee. Since its inception in 1995, this new Committee has sponsored many events. The Committee’s publication – KNAR – informs our parishioners about the cultural activities offered by our Church. This Committee’s Arts Education Program began in 1999 to encourage the younger generation to appreciate and enjoy music and other forms of art. The Nazeli Dance Group has performed in the Eastern United States and Canada to much acclaim.
With Maestro Petrossian’s guidance, the Junior Choir was formed in 1995. It participates in the Divine Liturgy on the first Sunday of each month. The Junior Choir has performed in many special events, including the 1996 Providence visit of His Holiness Karekin I, Catholicos of All Armenians and the May 2001 in Central Park, New York, during the visit of His Holiness, Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, where he celebrated the Divine Liturgy on the occasion of the 170oth Anniversary of the Christianization of Armenia. Most recently, the Junior Choir, in collaboration with the Narek Bell Choir of St. Mary Armenian Church of Washington, D.C., released its first CD Park EE Partsoons (Gloria in Excelsis), a composite of Armenian spiritual music. For this unique CD, the two choirs received a Gomidas Award.
The year 1995 was a momentous time for our parish. New Church organizations were formed (Cultural Committee, Jr. Choir, Financial Advisory Committee, the completion and dedication of the newly renovated and expanded Egavian Cultural Center, etc.). Coincidental with, but not part of the renovation/ expansion project, was the air-conditioning of our sanctuary. Paul G. Hanoian graciously had donated $25,000, which was matched by additional contributions to reach to the $50,000 project goal.
Bingo, begun in 1978, continued until 1995. In its seventeen years of operation, the Bingo raised $395,000. A special thank you to Chairman Jack Chakoian for his dedication in serving our parish and to all committee members and volunteers for their devoted service.
In 1996, our parish hosted a visit by newly elected Catholicos of All Armenian, His Holiness Karekin I. The well-planned and highly organized two-day visit was ended by an Ecumenical Service in Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral with an estimated 1,500 people attending, including clergy of all faiths and local dignitaries. After the completion of the Vehrapar’s North American tour, staff members of his entourage stated privately that the Providence visit was the most outstanding visit on his itinerary.
In October 1997, Hayr Soorp Ghevont completed his three years as our pastor. In November 1997, Reverend Father Haik Donikian was assigned to our parish as our interim pastor. Der Haik had previously served our parish for twenty-two years, having left in 1980. Father Donikian’s assignment was a six-month period while we searched for a new pastor.
With the departure of our interim pastor, Reverend Haik Donikian, in mid 1998, our Church was without a permanent clergyman for approximately one year. The Parish Council was severely challenged to provide clergy for Church services. Eleven priests from area churches combined their efforts to provided needed services. A large portion of those efforts were assumed by the Reverend Arsen Barsamian and Reverend Krikor Sabounjian.
The worldwide Armenian community was saddened by the passing of His Holiness Karekin 1, Catholicos of all Armenians.
In June 1999, a National Ecclesiastical Assembly was quickly convened and a new Catholicos Karekin II, was elected in October 1999. The Reverend Father Tateos R. Abdalian became our pastor in August 1999. In November 1999, weekly Bible Study classes with Professor Ara Dostourian and Deacon Gary Alexander as leaders was started.
The year 2001 was an important and exciting time – the 1700th Anniversary of Armenia’s Christianization. It began with a pilgrimage to Saint Vartan Cathedral which culminated in bring the Saint Gregory lantern to our Church that continued to burn throughout the year.
The storage room near the elevator was converted to a library, which has provided access to Armenian research and study. The land adjacent to the Hanoian Wing became part of a Church grounds improvement project. Also, the Sts. Sahag and Merob Newsletter began publication.
The Church greatly benefited from the Estates of Sarah (Sohigian) Black and Florence B. (Sally) Garin. These bequests were gratefully acknowledged as a testament of the consideration and love they each had for their Church.
In mid-2001, the Reverend Father Tateos Abdalian resigned as our pastor. Our Parish Council welcomed the return of the Very Reverend Father Shnork Kasparian to our parish as interim priest while we began another search for a permanent pastor.
Church hall improvements continued with a donation for air-conditioning, this area primarily serves the Sunday and Armenian School classrooms. The Special Parish Assembly of June 2002 approved a $110,00 landscaping project and parking lot expansion. A granite monument with our Church’s name, on the corner of Orms and Jefferson Streets, was pledged by the Vahe Samoorian Family.
In September 2002, His Eminence Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Diocesan Primate, visited Providence to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the ordination of Hayr Soorp Shnork Kasparian. The Primate celebrated the Divine Liturgy followed by a dinner in honor of Hayr Soorp Shnork.
Hayr Shnork retired from full-time duties when Primate Khajag Barsamian, appointed the Very Reverend Simeon Odabashian as pastor of our Church, effective January 1, 2004.
Many challenges have been faced and overcome. Other challenges remain and new ones will arise as we approach the Centennial Anniversary of our parish. We are confident that our Lord will continue to guide and help us to overcome our challenges.
