'ACKNOWLEDGMENT S This, paper is an attempt to write a complete factual history of the Armenian Apostolic Churches in New Britain, t2Connecticut. Connecticut. The g,L4 _ was i.t. ly intriguing and fascinating, and several time627Urfficult 'ue to the lack of written information. As Tittle opinion as possible is given man attempt to keep the facts correct. The largest and most important challenge was the translation from Armenian to English of several hundred pages of Armenian Church records. This challenge was accom- plished at meetings, held almost every weekday, during May and June of 1977. The translation would not have been accomplished without the extreme knowledge and effort of Reverand Father Vartan DerAssadourian, pastor of the Armenian Church of the Holy Resurrect! on. His assistance was apprekiated to the'utmost. Thanks can be given to several local Armenians who lent their time and knowledge to this project, namely: Reverand Father Sahag- Anclekian, pastor of St. Stephen's Armenian Apostolic Church Mr. Gregory- Abrahamian Mr. Stephen DerMargosien Mr. Sarkis Eeoian Mrs. Arshal Hoosigian my parents., Mr. & Mrs. B.J. Hovhanessian and, Miss Sarah Yagoobian Thanks must also go to Dr. Edwin Dahill, professor of History at Central Connecticut State College, for giving me the necessary motivation to complete this project. Gary Hovhanessian 111 . att4. 0 41 Ckwortimrloc 4a..Kam.xleta4n, 1900-1910 Zatig,iiiigin the last quarter of the 19th century, many "new immigrants" came to the United States from southern and eastern Europe. One group -;theArtenianpeopIes. their homeland due to oppressions caused by the Russo-Turkish War of 1876-77 and journeyed to the United States. Various statistics show that prior to this period the Armenian community in America did not exceed 100 and was, formed mainly by students coming from Constantinople (Istanbul).1 The location of Armenia, on the northeast boundry of Turkey, has caused her culture and history to contain an influen ial mixture of Indo-European and Central and East Asian traits. Armenia's strategic location has also caused conflict and commercial rivalries between Armenia and neigh- boring lands. Throughout history, Armenia and neighboring Turkey have engaged in numerous religious, economic, and political altercations.. One of these Occurred in 1876 after the enthronment of the Turkish Sultan. Abdul Hamid II and the- subsequent repressions of the Armenians in Turkey. This caused a considerable increase in Armenian migration to the United. States for the next twenty years. Statistics show that around 700 entered the...United States in 1880, 2,000 in 1890, and 5,000 in 18942 lArmenian Church Youth Organization of America (A.C.Y.O.A.) Sports Weekend 1976 Bicentennial Booklet-, (Lowell A.C.Y.O.A.: Lowell Massachusetts,1976). 2Ibid. -2- In 1894 the United States Bureau of the Census published a supplement to the 1890 Census of United States which indicated that there were six Armenian church organi- zations established. Of these, three were in Massachusetts, two in Rhode Island, and one in New York. The census also indicated that their Membership totaled 335 people. Throughout the 1880's and 90's, the increase of Armenian immigratiam and involvement in these church organ- izations was phenomenal. The supplementary United States Census of Churches, published in 1906, indicates that there were .73 such church organizations, including three church edifices. In response to a petition for clergymen, the Very Reverand Hovsep Sarajian was sent to the United States by the Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople.. and the first. Armenian Apostolic Church was built in 1889 in. Worcester, Massachusetts.3 At 'the turn of the century, 56 of the 73 Armenian church organizations were located in the North Atlantic region of the United States. Massachusetts contained twenty-nine; New York Contained ten; Rhode Island, Maine, and New Hampshire each_contained four; and Connecticut contained three.. The three established organizations in Connecticut‘ (New Britain, Hartford, and New Haven-Bridgeport) had a total membership of 579 people W4om more than 80% were male. New Britain was the largest, containing 300 Armenians within a Booklet,.' 3A.C.Y.O.A., Sports, Weekend 1976 Bicentennial -3- population of 26,000, Hartford, with a population of approximately 80,000, contained 210 Armenians. The New Haven-Bridgeport area, with a combined population of 178,000, contained the remaining 69 Armenians in Connecticut.4 The early- history of the Armenian :Church community in New Britain contained, fundamental problems that may appear to be meaningless but these were the main concerns of the organization during its inception. The Odd assortment of events may appear unconnected in the subject matter.. This is due to a tcarcity of early historical records. The first official church meeting held by Armenians in New Britain was on August 12, 1900.5 The meeting was. Presided over by the. Very Reverand That Markarian, Dioceaean Religious Pastor. Stressed at this initial meeting (and at ! 044k, almost all of the early meetings) was-Ahe.callectiJoftwiof annual dues, the electing of a governing body of trustees-- later ref ered. to as the Parish. Council--and'the "religious, moral, and financial needs of the Parish." The meeting ended with the comments of Very Reverand Khat Markarian wishing... "strength, success, and wisdom..." to the newly formed parish.6 A meeting was held on the following day, August 13, 1900, to decide which offices would be held by the newly elected members of the Parish Council. 4RLIXeall.cf the Census Special Reports on Religious Bodies, 1906,-(Wathington Government Printing Office, 1910). 51111MmaReCord,afe?Atmenian-ChurChComMitte4a901111, (The Armenian Church Committee: New Britain, Connecticut, 1900). p. 3.- 6Ibid., p. 3. The officers were: •Kaspar Hovhanessian, Chairman; Aram Shahmirian, Secretary; and Krikor Tateosian, Treasurer. There followed an eleven month. period in which only one _additional meeting was held and recorded. There are several possibilities as to "Why?" this occurred. It'is possible that the organization gathered on a social basis and that a record was not kept of these gatherings. It may also indicate a struggle for survival of the organization. meeting took place in July of 1901, under the presidency of the Very Reverand Arsen Vehoony, Diocesean Spiritual Pastor, again stressing the need to collect dues. Twenty-Eight new members registered and an election of a new Parish Coucll was held. The results were: Vahe Krikorian, Chairman; Harootyoon Khadsigian, Vice-Chairman; Aram Shahmirian, Secretary;.Sahag Kasparian, Vice-Secretary; and Krikor Tateosian, Treasurer. The new Parish Council had its first formal meeting on September 25, 1901, at which time it reviewed the Armenian Church Constitution of the United States and accepted it without any change. In February of 1903 a new Parish Council was elected under the presidency of Very Reverand Arsen Vehoony. The results were: Harootyoon Khadsigian, Chairman; Aram Shahmirian, Secretary; Hagop Ohanian, Treasurer; Eli DerBag- dassarian, Collector; and Seroup Sachaklian, Advisor. The group stressed the "need for a clergyman" as a nucleus of the church community. The Church Was beginning to provide a variety of services to its members as exemplified by. a. requebt:by Markos Charanian who needs a bachelor certificate to go to Cyprus. A request for a marriage certificate was made by George Kevorkian and also a request byTKhatchadoor Bedrossian for baptism services for his newly born son. The Parish Council became an important advisory board to many of the Armenians for several reasons. The young Armenian immigrants had come to the United States "without parents or other senior relatives" and others "were unable to speak English" and thus, #40. relied on the Parish Council, which contained "older members" and "some who could speak or who had learned to speak English,"' for advise in many domestic matters.7 In the summer of 1903 thet-;Armeillans made aorequest 4r4 to st,. s4W041 BTate,„-Eplacopaliah ChurOhforthe tAe:,.ofch*.t.t.Chapel fokISunday Church Services and meetings. The St Markls chapel,vas well as_:the chapel of the First Church of Christ (Congregational) were used by many of the local Armenians. throughtout the foIloWtngtwo decades. Dngthis periadv,fy many.:of.theArmetiehs-becamehembere of these parishes and some remained, possibly to avoid involvement in the severance that occurred in the church community in the 1930's. The church organization was struggling to form a financial base. There was a request for dues and donations at many of the early meetings., It was pointed out at an October, 1903 meeting that a delegate could not be sent to 7Interview with Mrs. Arshal Hoosigian and Miss Sarah Yagoobian, New Britain, Connecticut, 2 May 1977. -6- the national Diocesean Convention in Providence because of a. lack of money. The feri+owilts item on the agenda was a request to all members to pay their dues. In 1908, there was an order sent from the Diocese to the Armenian Church community. The order stated that the worship Services that were jointly being held by the Armenian Apostolic Church and the "Armenian Protestant Church" (First Church of Christ) should be done in separate places from now on. TheoarderyllaaY.heme;lbeen.;24ten-Alecause. of distinct theological differences between the two groups. There was no mention of a social separation of the two groups. It appears that the Armenians in the New Britain community had many obstacles to overcome in their early. history. Language barriers, leadership, organization, and the lack of substantial finances sometimes hampered the growth of the church organization. The gt.oupb establishment and influence with the national Diocese 'may have been the major factors that enabled the group to survive. . Also the peoples desire to keep. their own national and church identi.4es may,have irfluenced their gradual but persistent growth. -7- Chapter 2: Searching For A Parish Pastor, 1911-1920 As indicated in the first chapter, the Armenian church organization in New Britain had given guidance to many of the local Armenians and acted as a social and .religious bond, in the lives of these new immigrants. The group had. grown in number and the need for clerical guidance and leadership had become an item. of concern. on. the agenda of many meetings. In March of 1911, the Executive :Committee of the Parish Council decided to. submit a request to the Diocese to have a priest sent to New Britain to conduct Church services, It was also deliberated whether it would be feasible to have a permanent pastor at this time. On May 29r 1911, *a general public meeting was held at Lafayette Hall in New Britain that concerned the feasibility. All the meMbers of the Armehian. Church communitites in Connectiout were urged to attend. The chairman of the New Britain Parish Council, Seroup Sachaklian, gave a report on the matters discussed at the recent Diocesean Convention, including the matter of New Britain attaining a permanent pastor. The report recommended ,that New Britain consult its sister parishes in Connecticut, namely the "Hartford, New Haven, and Thompsonville parishes."8 New Britain warned her sister parishes that it could pay the stipend of the priest without financial assistance. The sister parishes • Thomp:Sonville was a. surprising- -addition to the, list. of _Oonnecticit parishes. I1 appears -that:Tp.dmpsonViile ^ ' _extsten:Ce as a pariah was only shortlived..:-:. Church Re ord. of, 'the Ariaenian.. 1900, p. 22. - a -8- reported that they would give their full assistance in the matter. It was decided that each family should pay $5.00 per year and that each single person pay $2.00 per year in order to pay the stipend. In Aligust, another meeting was held concerning the hiring of a pastor. New Britain was chosen as the central parish and it was decided that the priest would reside there. Every Sunday the priest would have woship services in a differ- ent parish. Each parish promised to give its yearly monetary share: New Britain would give $300.00, Hartford would give $200.00, and New Haven would give $60.00. Thompsonville was not mentioned at this time, possibly because their church organization *as,extremely shortlived. This assertion is made due to the fact that 'a "Thompsonville church community" was only mentioned during the May29,-1911 Meeting. The plans were specific and detailed but, due to financial difficulties, New Britain would still have to wait for a permanent priest. At a Parish Council meeting* held In October of 1912, Farish Council elections were held. The newly .elected Council consisted of Griagos Hagopian, Kevork S. Kevorkian, Toros Yagoobian, Seroup Sachaklian, and Garabed Minatsigian. It was proposed by the new Council to make a collection and begin a campaign to build a new church. Those present par- ticipated and there was "every: hope that it would be continued."9 9-ChUi4lii/If.eeb±4 1900,' p. 31. -9- The new church proposal was only a "hope" and, at a time of financial difficulty, appears almost anachronistic. The struggle to gather funds is evident at a November, 1913 meeting where ikk#A4 it is decided that "each member pay his dues six months in 40P40,044A41,0,444- advance,"10' The financial struggle a.o.e...e.Impaliaas. at the fel3Aoeng election mee44aftg on November 25, 1913, when the total profit of the orevious year, $21.60 was handed over to the new treasurer.11 The election reSults• were: Toros Yagoabian, Chairman; Hagop Palangian, Setretary; Bedros Simonian, Treasurer; Hovhaness Harotounian, Custodian; and Khatchadoor Boyajian, Advisor. Early in 1914.the New Britain parish Council acknowledged the election of:.the 'new Primate, Very Reverand Arsen Vehoony and also Archbishop_Seroupian's acceptance of an invitation to come to New Brdtain.12 Archbishop Seroupian performed Church services at St. Marki^s Epicopal Church on Eebruary,8,'19,14 and in the evening gave a one hour speech at Lafayette Hall before a large crowd. The speech was encouraging and "made a deep impression on those who were present.11113 During the summer of the same. year Right Reverand Shahe Kasoarian came to. New Britain: to baptize three children and celebrated Church services in Bristol. In September of 10Church Record, 1900v p. 33. 1Ibid., p, 34. 12,bid., p. 35. 13Ibid., p. 36. -10- 1914, Very Reverend Arsen Vehoony, who had previously visited to assist the Armenian community, journeyed to New Britain as the newly elected Primate, to assist in organizing a Women's Guild. The Guild, at that time, assisted in caring for Armenian orphans and persons escaping the genocide of the Armenians in eastern Turkey.14 It was decided that, while Very Reverend Vehoony was in the areata meeting would be held with the Hartford Parish Council to again distuss the matter of attaining a permanent priest. The stipend of $600.00 per year was the predominant factor in deciding against one at that time. The importance of attaining a priest is signified by a cluster of three meetings in five days which were concerned with this matter. The meeting of September 24, 1914, was attended by the Parish Council and four local -AEMenian political groups. The Parish Council of the Armenian Church organization, along with the Armenian Revolutionary Federation or Tashnag Party, the Hunchagan Party, the Vev-Ho Party, and the Armenian Democratic League promised to give their moral and financial asbistance to attaining a priest for the. church. The political organizations had been established in Armenia as an attempt to combat the oppressions of the Turkish govern- ment. At times, the different ideologies of the groups has teAtiut caused conflict Pnd incompatibility pF4ettest the Armenian community. The political organizations also supported the proposed ideas -of an Armenian School, a local Armenian Citizens Club, and an Armenian interpreter to assist at the local courthouses. - 14Church Record, 1900, pp..38-40.. -11- The outbreak of World Mar I in arope "caused anxiety" within the local Armenian community. A Message was sent from the Diocese 'stating that "all Armenians in America should defer their plmIned activities and act on them according to the dictate of the times."15 The Parish Council continued its role in assisting individuals in social and domestic matters. The Council found itself as .the mediator of a misunderstanding between two gentlemen concerning a domestic problem. The' Council advised that these "frivolous and nonsensical" misunderstandings should be avoided in the future. The Council also had to hear the story of two brothers who were not getting along.. The Council ordered.that the matter be taken care of. The Parish Council listened to the arguements of both brothers for a ten-month period. Finally, in November of 1.925 the dispute was settled, guilt was admitted and a $3.00 fine was paid. The prolonging of this dispute appears to have caused a local schism. The people involved in the dispute had taken. sides and had used the political. party groups as supportive backers. Another incident occurred the following month that also, indicated divisions within the local community. The New 13mitain NSws reported, on. December 2o,-19,15:* that a "near riot" occurred when one party accused the other of "stuffing ballot boxes and defeating their candidate" for the local church committee.16 15Church Record, 1900., p. 42. V 16 AM New Britain News, 20 December 1915. Ad a : 4.411•442,04=14; Att.Ottr," At 441 -12- In 1916, the national Diocese was showing a strong effort to become much more organized. Bi7laws were rewritten and support was given to the local communities in ,any function that was initiated. • Between 1914 and 1916 the New Britain community became the central Armenian community of Connecticut.. The actual dues =membership was 135 people as compared to 25 in Hartford and 31 in the New Haven area.17 During this period the Parish Council struggled.to form. some sort of financial base. Dues, as previously stated, were always a matter of importance. • Collections were made whenever a Chureh serviee.:.Or a meeting was held. In the earlier years "there always seemed to be a collection and everyone who was able was willing to give.n18 At a Christmas service in 1913, a collection was made and $29.00 was collected. When the church organization needed financial assistance to 1, -0 acquire cemetary -property "all took part in the collection andW. $55.00: was collected.49 The idea of ar Armenian School was proposed on September 24, 1914, Following the acceptance of the proposal, the- Parish Council and the four political groups who were present donated the sum of $35.00.20 The Diocese- assisted by initiating projects, such as a sale of calenders, in March of 1915. Beginning in 1915,.t was decided that a fee 17Church Record, 190,. p. 122. 18Interview with Mrs. A. Hoosigian and Miss S. Yagoobian, 2 May 1978, 19Church Record, 1900, p. 36. 20Ib1d., W. 4.,42. -13- of $5.00 would be paid to the Church for funeral services.21 IhJanuary of 1917, the Parish Council asked that a fee be paid for baptisms, also. The fee was43.50 for dues paying members and $4.50 for non-dues paying members.22 The Council also collected or loaned money to individual e in the community. In 1918, the Council collected $20.00 for a] certailL individual and his family because "he had become ill and had been unable to work." The Council has since ended the policy of loaning money due to, the personal problems that it may have created. One specific example in this period occurred in 1919 when an individual was asked to pay back a "$150.00 loan." •Noting;thestruggling financial situation of the organization at that time shays the importance of that amount. To)cemparatively show the value of the loan, it can be noted that in 1.920 the Council purchased an area.of cemetary land for $600.00. An:initial payment of $150.00 was made. Epre than a year later, the Ceuncil was discussing'ways of paying off the $300.00 balance. Again in 1916, the New Britain Parish Council asked for a permanent pastor. The stipulations were that his salary would be $15.00 per week and that he teach 'three days .... 41144 a week at the Armenian School. The Council requested the services of Reverand Seroupeh Neshabou but to no avail. Reverand Neshabou informed the parish that he had found employment in the community of West Hoboken, New Jersey. -.7:21bhurCh'ieCord4 1900p. ; i32; 8:-. -14— The Council then requested the pastoral services of Very .Reverand Drepoon but.soon rejected his acceptance because it was not economically feasible at that time. The "permanent priest" question rose again in 1918 when Reverand Ysghyezar accepted the invitation to become New Britain's pastor. He was also denied due to financial difficulties. In 1917 the Cairman of the Parish Council, Karekin Kevorkian, was asked by the Parish to see the principal of one of the local schools and request a classroom so that "the Armenian children could learn (to speak) Armenian." The chairman reported back to the Council that the principal had stated, "You are in America and you should learn English and not any other language. Other languages are prohibited." -0 It was decided to ask a second time, giving more detail concerning the needs of the classroom and pointing out that America is a democratic republic and "never puts any restriction on any foreigners in learning their own language." The requestrrv- was again denied. It was decided that Armenian School classes would be held in the club of the Huchagan political party. The Armenian School classes officially began on March 28, 1918 with Miss Yeranian as the instructor. Classes were held twice aLweek for two hours. Later in the same year, Reverand Yeghyezar was again requested to come to New Britain to meet with the parishes of New Britain and Hartford and discuss the feasibility of =-15- attaining him as the pastor. A special meeting was called which very few attended. This possiblY indidated that the majority of both communities felt at this time that the whole matter was a wasted effort. The Council declared, "our hopes vanished when nobody showed up." The newly elected Parish Council of 1920 consisted of: Karekin Kevorkian, Chairman; Toros Yagoobian, Vice-Chairman; Khatchadoor Davidian, Treasurer; Khatchadoor Anspigian, Secretary;-and Garabed Yessian, Keeper of the Official Seal. Aside from the usual order of business the main concerns of the 1920 Council were the diminishing cemetary area and the hiring of a permanent priest. The Council decided that, beginning in November of 1920 the permanent services of Reverand MaMpre'Paltigian would-be confirmed:23His stipend would ,be-$25:00 per week. This period ended a long and grueling search for a permanent priest. The attainment of Reverand Paltigian proved to be very beneficial to the Armenian community. Business could be run smoothly and more rapidly and the mere pressence of a priest in the community gave the parishoners a new enthusiasm. 23Due- to incomplete..recors, Reverand Paltigian's' actual'acceptance and confirwation as pastor in November of 1920 was not rea34zed until a meeting held on. May 6, 1921. Church Record, 19O, pp. 211,213. Ajd 0 't -16- Chapter 3: The Building of the First Armenian Church Edifice In. Connecticut r 1521-1926 The newly elected Parish Council of 1921 consisted of: Karekin Kevorkian, Chairman. Toros Yagoobian, Vice-Chairman; Gitagos Hagopian, Secretary; Garabed Yessian, Treasurer; and Manuel Atashian, Seal Keeper. With Reverand Paltigian's permanent appointment as pastor of the New Britain parish, the organization appeared to be moving towards larger e devours, namely the building of its own church. The parish gascx flouribhed inother ways during this period, namely the organization of a choir,and a drama group,and the growth of the Women's Guild and the Armenian School. At a Parish Council meeting held on February ,25, 1921,the Council stressed the importance of having their own meeting hall and worship facility. A special general meeting was held on March 4, 1921, where it was again stressed that a "building of some sort" was necessary. A committee was elected which consisted of: Kevork S. Kevorkian, Hovhaness Haroutounian, Alexan Edgarian, Dickran Sarkissian, Khatchadoor Boyajian, and Harootyoon Najarian. This new "Building Committee" met jointly with the Parish Council in March of 1921 to discuss future plans. The chairman of the Parish Council, Karekin Kevorkian, announced that a suitable' place had been, found on Summer Street in New Britain. The property was 80 feet wide and 100 feet deep. The price of the land was reported as $3000.00. -17- After lengthy deliberation the cost of the construction of a church and a hall was estimated at $20,000.09. At a meeting held on March 16, 1923,, the Cotncil devised a plan that it believed could raise between $4,00045,000. .The Council hoped that if 300 families could donate $15.00 each that the amount of $4,500.00 would be used as a down payment. The Council also decided to begin a campaign of parishoners from sister.churches, with the authorization of the Diocese. Within two weeks a new building committee was elected.. This committee consisted of: Kevork S. Kevorkian, Alexan Edgarian, Melkon Shahanian. Khatchadoor Boyajian, and Tavit Bagdassarian. Their function would be to further the 11 purchasing of a building and to canvass the parishoners for building fund's. Katekin Kevorkian started the fund.:taiSing:, * by giving his word for a $500.00 donation. By the end of March, it was reported that $2,490.00 had been collected. A lull occurred in April, 1921, when the Building Committee submitted its resignation. The Council was also faced with another dilemma, namely the lack. of-funds to pay the stipend of Reverand Paltigian. The situation took pregaent at following meetings," A new building committee was elected on August 5, •1921.with*the Drohlem of the priest's stipend still unresolved. The new committee consisted of: Kaspar Kasparian, Alexan Edgarian, KhorenBayramian, Setrag Boghosian, and Tavit Bagdassarian. The parish was visited by the Primate, Archbishop 18- Dirayr Hovhanessian in November. He performed Church services and then gave a "fiery" lecture at a general meeting of the Armenian community. He expressed that there was a need to "keep persisting to support the Church and Armenian School and to continue what our forefathers had begun." He also stressed the great importance of the Church, "especially to the Armenian people.„24 On the next evening, the Primate leetured at a general meeting. He reprimanded the parish for the treatment that they had given to Reverand Paltigian concerning his stipend and accomodations. It appears that this uncomfortable situation had caused Reverand Paltigian to submit a letter of resignation.25 A meeting between the New Britain and Hartford Parish Councils was held on November 18, 1921. The Councils decided to select a committee to go to the Armenian families of each community and raise funds for the future building endevours of the church organizations. Written records concerning fund raising-are unavailable. Parishoners claim ,that "visiting clergyten assisted committee members and visited each family, requesting whatever donation could be given.826 One parishoner specifically remembers that "one time, all were asked to give 25.00 and those who did not have it would borrow it from the bank and give it to the Church."27 It was confirmed that "those who could give would give generous1y.”28 24 'Ohuray.Reeord4 19001 pp. 245-247. 25 Ibidar 'pp. 255-256. 26Interview with Mrs. A. Hoosigian and MissS. Yagoobian, 2 May 1978. 27Ibid. -19- The Parish Council had.:also suggested many innovative methods of raising funds. Early in 1921, at a special general meeting, it was proposed to sponsor a "Khunjooyk" ( a dance and social festivity). TheCouncil•suggested that the Women's Guild might consider sponsoring a Church Bazaar. These functions have become traditional in the Church's social affairs, as well as a method of obtaining funds. The church records for the year 1922 are extremely sparce. It appeareethat a lull may have occurred and no , further building ee79urs occurred until the following year with the, election of an influential Parish Council. The 1923 Parish Council consisted of: Karekin Kevorkiam, Chairman; Kapriel.Khabaian, Vice-Chairman; Yervant Papazian, Secretary; Hovhaness Haroutounian, Vice-Secretary; and Tavit Bagdassarian, Treasurer. The newly elected Coucil decided to have a meeting and invite the Armenian "well-to-do" of the New Britain community and surrounding areas. The meeting was held .on March .25, 1923 where it was decided to,"have a church and a national home in the New. Britain.community."29 A new building committee was elected. It consisted of: Harootyoon Najarian, Dickran Sarkissian, and Kevork S. Kevorkian. The importance of this meeting is noted by the extensive and detailed ideas that were proposed. It was decided to name the Church, "The Armenian Apostolic Church of New Britain." The purposes of the Church would be: • (1) To keep alive the religious and national aspirations of the Armenian people of • New Britain, 2 Church Record, 1900, pp. 273-274. -20- (2) To gather all the parties and social activities around the center. (3) To continue the Armenian School. (4) To have a Church Hall used as a meeting place and also as a center of culture. (5) To have a few large rooms to serve as lounges. (6) To have special stations for meetings. All this to be called the National Home. It was also decided that a number of fund raising activities be held "within'the immediate future" that would involve Armenian and non-Armenian participation. The itetelm committee suggested ta ea fair (bazaar) and rafflet., The "most suitable" location for a new church was found to be on Tremont Street in New Britain. The 1920 Census of the United States reveals a large number of New Britain's Armenian community to be living in this area-- which was Ward 6. The Census shovosd that of the 153 Armenians in New Britain, 111 lived in Ward 6.30 The lot was. 100 feet by 120 feet. Karekin Kevorkian and Harootyoon Najarian were selected to consult the owner of the property. An estimated cost of $20,000.00 was anticipated to complete the entire building venture. After consulting the property owner,-it was reported that the land was available for $3,000.00. It was also decided to ask the Primate, Archbishop Dirayr Hovhanessian, to: visit the parish and review all of the matters at hand. The Prim-ate met with the Council on 30Department of Commerce-Bureau of the Census, Fourteenth Census of the United Statesi Siate Compendium of Connecticut, (Government Printing Office: Washington D.C., 1924. May 30, 30, 1923 and appointed a new committee to further the building endevours. The committee consisted of: Karekin Kevorkian4 Harootyoon Najarian, Alexan. Eagarian, Dr. Moses Kaprelian, Dickran Sarkissian, Giragos Hagopian, Khatchadoor BoyOian4 Yervant Papaziany Asadoor Yagoobian, Tavit Bagdass- ariany and Hovhaness Shahanian. Four more members,.Kevork S. Kevorkian, Kapriel Khabaian, Moosheg Pazaian, and Khoren.(Amrah) Bayramian, were later added to the existing committee4- - In. 1924 another meeting was held to formulate dbfiniteplans for building an Armenian Church in the city of New Britain.. The meeting was presided over by Archbishop Dirayr Hovhaneasian. The meeting was attended by the following: Karekin'Kevorkian, Avedis Atashian, Dickran Sarkissianl:Dr. Moses Kaprelian, Yervant Papazian, Khoren-Bayramian, and-Bedros (Peter) Simonian. It was decided to hold a genera:I:meeting in early.. 1925 where the plans would be presented to the parishoners.- Representatives from various ArMenian organizations.and:the. entire Armenian community of New Britain and the :surrounding areasowere invited. It was at this meeting that the. plans for construction were finalized.31 The following men were selected as the Executive Board ofthe newly formed Building Committee: Avedis Atashian, Chairman; Karekin Kevorkisn, Chairman of Fund Raising; Giragos Hagopian* Secretary; Dickran Sarkissian, Treasurer; and*Khatchadoor Boyajian, Advisor. 31 Fiftieth AnniVetsary-;.St. StOhen's Armenian'APostolic Church of .Hartford-New Britain, (St. Stephen's Armenian ApoStoliC Church: Nsw Britain, Connecticut, 1975), section entitled, "History of St. Stephen's Armenian Apostolic Church." Ls.e Pb. ether members of the committee were: Tavit Bagdassarian Kapriel Kabaian Yervant Papazian Khoren Bayramian Garabed Kaprielian Aharon Parparian Alexan Bdgarian Kevork S. Kevorkian Bedros Simonian Takvor Harotian Haroetyoon Najarian Toros Yagoobian Dickran Sarkissian resigned from the treasurership some time later and was replaced by Kevork S. Sevorkian. A:latgefundeTaising-campaign,began immediately. Little is known about the actual methodsAf-fundLraiSing,and the amounts given by individuals. Witboittmention-of-2any new and innnvative fund raising methods, it is possible that methods us6d in the past were still being used at this time. One method that ,aut,Igostswas %thelute of local "Armenian" labor. Also, kiany whocotldtnot make monetary donations 'parted with their artifacts of treasured books which were later auctioned 'off to raise money."32 This enabled construction to begin as early as October of 1925. A parcel of land* sixty three by one hundred sixty feet, located on Tremont Street in New Britain was purchased from a Peter Duyla on September 6, 1924 by Karekin Kevorkian -for approximately $2,500.00 The church was built by one of most prominent contractors in New Britain, Antonio Squillicote.33 Many Armenians were creative in the construction of many of the features of the church. The beautiful alter was designed and built by Mr. Minas Bnyajian, an outstanding cabinet maker. An oil painting which occupies the center of the alter was painted by the local artist Krikor Gregor.34 32Fiftieth Anniversary-St. Stephen's Armenian Apostolic Church, "History" sec.. 33Ibid. 34Ibid. -23- Thus, the first Armenian Apostolic Church edifice in Connecticut was completed in April, 1926. The church was officially naMed, Incorporated. Armenian Apostolic Church of. New Britain, Connecticut. In May of 1926, impressive consecration services were held by Archbishop Dirayr Hovhanessian assisted.by the Reverand Harootyoon Hakimian. Karekin Kevorkian was the -Godfather of the Aew church. The church was consecrated St, Stephen's Armenian Apobtolic Church after the first Chxistian martyr, in. memory of Karekin Keverkian's father and for his first son. Kevorkian's influence on the community during this period Was evident by the endless times his name appeared on significant governing bodies and building committees. His leadership, along with. the devotiOn of the:aocal Armenian parishoners, enabled the "dream" of having a local church become reality. Chapter 4: 4: gchism and the Establishment of a Second Church Edifice, 1926-1941 (010 If one takes notice of the present situation of the Armenian Apostolic Church community in New Britain an ke,'47"-g41 awkward severance weitt4-.4e evident. Two church parishes havataAa;a11;a4gA4bprofessigng similar theological beliefs but different ideologies. Although there are many different ce10441 DYtitt.if -4*6'"/ interpretationsAof-tht-,ev4ata cauae*A.t7-AbA-..etiftrttftmote g0hAesalv one must contend that political influence was the A644tett4,44A foremost ftwe.e. of the split. Different ArMenian political organizations have been evident-since the initial years of Armenian life in New Britain, namely the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (also refered to as the "Tashnag" party), the Armenian Democratic league (also ref ered to as the TRomgavar" party), the HunChagan Party, and the Vev-Ho Party. A commemerative publication of St. Stephen's Armenian. Apostolic Church observes that between 1926 and 1933 the Armenian community and the church flourished in a "harmonious atmosphere."35 This observation has been contested. When questioned about a "harmonious atmosphere" during that period, members of the present Armenian community have stated that, "there were conflicts and arguments as far back as can be remembered."36 Another contends that "at meetings, tempers would flare and fists were alWays flying back and forth."37 ., 3 5F1ftieth Ahhiversary-St. Stephen's Armenian Apostolic Church, "History" sec. 36-Interv1ew with Mrs. A.. Hoosigian and Miss S. Yagooblan, 2 May-1978. 37Interview with Mr. Stephen DerMargosian, April 1978. -.25- The arguments were almost always of a "political" nature. Most of the conflicts have not been recorded in the actual church records, but are remembered and have been brought out by interviews and informal conversations with persons in the community. However, a New Britain newspaper, published on December 20, 1915, conkained the hadlines reading, "Armenian \ Church Men In Near Riot. The article indicate4that the conflict arose between the 'V,two factions" bacause orraccused the other of attempting to "af the ballot box" during an election of local Armenian leaderh„. The article observed that the incident 1was not the first time ttb46trouble had occurred. At, a previous meeting held "some time ago" iV"Wao,„necessary for jt he police to assist in clearing out "the angry mob." ' -mayumwatearsmat, , 4400r; 4e comMunity and church flourished during this 704401 0,4446MARAO, ao-Oheotte Vilti~gt erYbd, noteably by the establishment of the Sunday School And i1.444,-to. /-74-044.4A-,1M-414-4,44414` 461-40 LPfI a youth organization called the ' oils and Daughters of the 41,1go, Armenian Church."39 Howeter-, the "a1mospher0 was, at best, one of incompatibility with evidence of some tolerance. On Christmas Eve of 1933, a tragic event occurred in New York City that directly affected the Armenian community in New Britain. Archbishop Leon Tourian, Primate of the Armenian Apostolic Church in the United States, was assassinated while performing Church services. Mice believed that the 38New Britain, News, 20 December 1915. 39Diocese of the Armenian Church, History and Statistic of the Armenian Communities cf•the Diocese of the Armenian Churbh, prepared by Reverand Father Arten Ashjian, (Leylegian Printing Press: New York, New York, 1949)r new Britain" sec.. -26- slaying "had been inspired by the differences in Armenian politics."40 The article also observed that Archbishop Tourian had, at the time, an "armed bodyguard" due to previous disturbances. This "previous disturbance" ref ered to an incident at a Church picnic held the previous summer In Worcester, Massachusetts, where, the lieW_York Times statue, lhat the Archbishop was beaten during a disturbance caused after "members of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation" had arrived from Massachusetts and Rhode Island.41 Four alleged assasbins of the Archbishop (who were later found guilty) admitte& to be "members of Tashnag, •a revolutionary organization whose aim is the restoration of the old Republic of Armenia.42 The assassination caused the 4mosphere of New Britain to become one of complete severance. "Slate friends would not associate and even relatives would refrain from speaking, to each other if one was affiliated with the Tashnag Party."43 There were tragifeelings of "sadness" and membarassment." The ensuing five years were further marred by chaotic periods. The Armenian community was now divided into two predominant political factions. Some claim that the division was "the Tashnag faction against all the other factions."44 40New York Times, 25 December 1933. 41 New York Times, 26 December 1933. 42Ibid. 43Interview with Mrs. A. Hoosigian and Miss S. Yezoobian, 2 May 1978. -27- The two predominant factions were the Armenian Democratic League, known as the A.D.L., and the Armenian Revolutionary Federation usually called the Tashnag or A.R.F. organization. Soon after the assassination, St. Stephen's Church became controled by the members opposing the Tashnag faction. The initial shock had subsided and activities in the Church began again. Only now,, the community was deeply severed and the atmosphere had reflected the emotion of the sorrowful assassination. The Parish Council elected new officersfon February 12, 1934. The officers were: Krikor Manoogian, Chairman; Ghevont DerMargosiant Vice-Chariman; Khazar Haroutounian, Secretary; Armenag DerHoosigian, Vice-Secretary; Hovhaness Shahanian, Treasurer; Setrag DerBoghosian, Shavash Yessian, Bagdassar Bagdigian, and Sahag Sarkissian, Advisors. A number of new names appeared in the election and many of the influencial.leaders of the past were ousted due to the_severanOe. During the following years, many unusual and confusing events take place. There are •sometimes two or more interpre- tations of many of the events that caused conflict after the 14 .1450p4461,0410- severance. ao..t.a.fe.t.eatfa, re.a.lidalag.witattsaatmettettkenewskaaliaitaiEner4 On March 4, 1934 the Parish Council decided to increase its financial status by Conducting a membership drive and a fund raising campaign. Other methods of fund raising were attempted on April 3, 1934 when the Parish Council and the Women's Guild jointly decided to sponsor a "khunjooyk" -28- (social festivity). The price of the tiekets was set at 250.45 On July 10, 1934 the Council also decided to have a Church picnic in the summer and on August 17, 1934 decided to sponsor a raffle during autumn. Six thousand tickets were printed for the raffle. It appears that the Church had been without a permanent pastor for an extended period of time. A District Committee Meeting was held on May 27, 1934 concerning the matter. The following parishes were represented: New Britain, Hartford, New Haven, and :Indian Orchard and Springfield, Massachusetts. A yearly budget was decided which would pay the stipend of the priest. New Britain would contribute $525.00 aanually, Hartford $300.000 Springfield $125,00, and Indian Orchard $50.00. The total stipend was to be $1,000.00. There was no record of the amount of New Haven's contribution. Parish Council elections were held on January 28, 1935. The following were elected: Krikor Manoogian, Chairman; Ghevont DerMargosian, Vice-Chairman; Sarkis Azarigian, S9cretary; Khazar Haroutounian, Vice-Secretary; Hovhaness Shahanian, Treasurer; Ardashess DerBagdassarian, ahag Sarkissian, Kevork S. Kevorkian, and Bagdassar Bagdigian, Advisors. At the following meeting, held on February 1, 19350 the newly elected Parish Council concerned itself with paying the debt of the Church. The Council decided that it would ask for funds from the prominent local Armenians. Other attempts to gather funds were to increase the yearly dues to $6.00 and to sponsor a dance. The Council again attempted to ease the 45Minutes cf the Parish Council Meetings, beg; 1934. (St. Stephen's-IfErafan ApoStolic Church: Mew Britain, Connecticut, 1934), pp. 8-9. -29- financial situation of the Church. On February 22, 1935 the Council decided to organize a Financial Committee. The committee members were: Lazar Ranoogian, Harootyoon Najarian, Dickran Maghakian„ Hovhaness Garabedian, Kh. Markarian, Sarah Yagoobian, and S. Aharonian. The Council decided to have another church picnic and to visit the homes of parishoners to seek pledges and ask if the parishoners favored the Council's idea of attaining a permanent pastor.46 It appeared that the Council had proposed that when' Archbishop Karekin HovseDian visited the United States, the Council would recommend to him that RightReverand Mampre Kalfayan become, pastor of the New Britain parish. On June 20, 1935 the Parish Council reported that a profit. of 8100.00 was realized from the picnic. On 'September 100 1935 the Parish Council, with the instructions from the Diocese, decided to celebrate the 1500t1i Anniversary of the Translation, of the Bible into Armenian. The event took-place on October 13, 1935 under the supervision of the future priest, Deacon Sisag Nalbandian. The Parish Council also decided to have a fund raising event to help the cost of the ordination of - Deacon Sisag Into the priesthood. The Parish Council decided to have a "khema" party.(an Armenian gourmet delicacy made with raw beef).47:, A:meeting was held on December 154 1935, which was presided over by the newly ordained priest, Reverand Khoren (Nalbandian) Mamigonianl—formerly-Deacon Sisag Nalbandian. 462arish Council Minutes, beg. 1934, pp. 41-42. 47Ibid., pp. 55-56. -30- Reverand Khoren was to remain in New Britain as the permanent pastor. It was also noted that a certain Hovhaness Hovhanessiam from Hartford had donated a sheep to the New Britain Parish Council which would be used to make "khorovadz" (poptlarly known as shish-kebab) at the next picnic.48 An immediate problem, that arose at a January 26, 1936 meeting, was the matter of the stipend of the priest. The Council discussed how much money each parish, within the district, would pay. The Council decided that the largest community, New Britain, would pay $675.00. The Council also noted that Reverand Khoren resided in New Britain. Hartford was to contribute $250.00, Springfield,$125.00, and Indian OrChard,. $50.00-. The total annual stipend was:11;200.M Elections of the 1936 Parish Council members was held on February 10, 1936. The results were: Lazar Manoogian, Chairman; Ghevont DerMargosian, Vice-Chairman; Sarkis Azarigian, Secretary; Bagdassar Bagdigian, Vice-Secretary; Ardashess (Der) Bagdassarian, Treasurer; Havhaness Shahanian, Absistant Treasurer; Kevork S. Kevorkian, Harootyoon Hovsepian, and Mesrob Sarkissian, Advisors. In April of 1936, Bagdassar Bagdigian was moving away from New Britain and was replaced at his position by Setrag DerBoghosian. At a meeting held on May 22, 1936 the New Britain and Hartford Parish Council's decided to sponsor a joint picnic at Charter Oak Park in Hartford to raise funds for both communities. 48Parish Council Minutes., beg. 1934, pp. 571,59. -31- Although the NeW Britain parish was attemping several techniques of raising finances, the Parish Council noted, at a meeting held on June 8, 1936 that the mortgage had "put them in an awkward situation."49 The Council decided to call a general membership meeting to report the situation to the parish. It is unknown if any immediate decision was made concerning the mortgage because there:is-ft° mention of the situation until October 8, 1937, over a year later. On January 3, 1937 a new Parish Council was elected. The results were: Yervant Simonian, Chairman; Ghevont Dergargosian, Vice-Chail: an; Sarkis Azarigian, Secretary; Lazar Nanoogian, Vice-Secretary; Haig Yessian, Treasurer; Hovhaness Shahanian, Assistant Treasurer; Abraham Torosian, Levon Azarigian, and Boghos Yagoobian, Advisors. At a January 12, 1937 meeting, the Council decided what the rental fees would be for the use of the Church.: The Church would et Aft, $12.00 for a wedding service. Day meetings would poet $5.00 and night meetings, 86.00. Parties held during the day would cost $7.00 and at night, $8.00. At a meeting held on April 15, 1937 the Council decided to thank Miss Yeranoohi Kevorkian for the organ that she had. donated to the Church. At an October 8, 1937 meeting, the Parish Council decidedthat it would inform the Diocese of a "second mortgage" that was put on the Church.and- about the "awkward position" of the Council in regards to the payments of the initial mortgage.50 49Parish Council Minutes, beg. 1934, pp. 88-89. 5°lbd., -32- A reply from the Diocese was not made until hay,of the following year. In the interim a new Parish Council was elected. The members were: Armenag DerHoosigian, Haig Yessian, Antranig Bagdigianr Yagoob Yagoobian,.Tavit Tavitian, Setrag DerBoghosianr and for the firtt time,. threewomen, Arshalooys Hoosigian, Mariam Boghosian, and Bskoohi Simonian. aei4 Titles and positions liftre not known.dUe to a lack of information. The newly elected Council reported that a profit of only $130.27 was made from the previous year. The auditing committee donated $75,73 thus hringing the total gp to $206400. The. Council also decided to raise the wedding rental fee of the Church from $12.00 to $15.00. RentaL-feeAltereases:rpndc:1-t' requests for donations. indicatedtthat the Parish Council may have been. seeking more financial assiStance.in an attempt to ,pay off the mortgage of the Church. In March of 1938, the.0oulicil selected two members, Haig Yessian and Mariam Boghosianr to go to the Savings Bank of New Britain and discuss the mortgage situation. The situation with the bank was unusual. The bank claimed that a "second mortgage had been put on the Church, but the bank would not inform the Council members as to name appeared on the second mortgage." TheCounbil believed "that a local Armenian of the Tashnag faction held the second mortgage." -- The bank supposedly informed the Parish Council representatives that because it was presently occupying the building that it would have "first choice" to buy the Church if the bank assumed ownership.51 51Interview with Mrs. A. Hoosigian and Miss S. Yagoobian, 2 May 1978. A , -3.3- The Tashnag. affiliated Armenians "who had been excluded, from the Church since the schism in 1933," called an emergency meeting afterlearning that "non Armenian groups" were interested in purchasing the. Church. At this meeting sufficient funds were raised to pay the outstandingdebt and assume the mortgage of tha.Church.52 At a.Parish Council 'meeting held on May 4, 1938 a letter was read that had been received from the Diocese that stated, "the Situation that was taking place at the (New Britair) Church should not be put in the newspapers." It was also decided by the Council to stop the collection of dues-"until the positionof the Church was c1ear."53 Parish Council .members claimed that a Haig Samsarian. "was on his way to New Britain with a monetary sum in the form of a check that would complete payment of the outstanding debt and also the mortgage payments that. the Church owed 'to the bank."54 On June 29, 1938 the Savings Bank of New Britain transfered the Church property to Harry (Karekin) Kevorkian, Amrah Bayramian, Harry Parpariant and Avedis Atashian.55 These four members had been excluded from church matters since the' schism in 1933. With the abrupt change of hands, some members of the ousted parish felt that the situation with the bank had 52Fiftieth Anniversary-St. Stephen's Armenian Apostolic Church, "History" sec.. -53Parish Council Minutes, beg. 1934, pp. 141-142. 54Interview with Mrs. A. Hoosigian and Miss S. Yagooblan, 2 May 1978. 55Fiftieth Anniversary-St. Stephen's Armenian Apostolic Church, "History" sec.. -34- been unjust and inevitably caused the Church to be "stolen" from the grasp of the Parish Council. In February of 1939, the Parish Council met under the chairmanship of Armenag DerHoosigian.. The ousted Church group, still in a state of shock and animosity, immediately formed a financial record for a new Building Committee, which was to be separated from the finances of the Parish Council. Apparently, the gusted Parishoners had sought the use of St. Mark's Episcop41 Church because it was decided to pay ,tgn $5.00 -to St. Mark's for-the use of their Church. ,The Council ,414.0441 also dtetftriVArmenag DerHoosigian and Eskoohi Simonian, as representatives of the Parish Council, to a meeting of the Armenian Democratic League,which they had been invited-to. It is A possibility that the A.D.L. was financially willing to assist the Parish Council in its future building endevours. At a meeting held on April 27, 1939 the Parish Council discussed the matters concerning the articles that had been removed from the church edifice. It was noted that "a local authority" had enabled the ousted parishoners to enter the Church and remove "all that belonged to them."56 Itlizas claimed that "all furnishings, including pews, chandeliers, and all church records were missing. Only the alter remained."57 The Council decided that "the articles should be moved from their places and brought to one place under the supervision and control of the Parish Council."58 Also decided by the ,56Interview with Mrs. A. Hoosigian and hiss S. Yagoobian, 2 May 1978. 57Fiftieth Anniversary-St. Stephen's ALilenian Apostolic Church, "History" sec.. 261.ish' Council Minutes. beg. 1934, pp. 160-161. wv, , -35- t 4 Vpt -0444$4044 44,04 , • Ouncil. at the April 27, 1939'meeting, was Abt-tveneey a picnic at the Bagdigian farm (formerlY near Batterson Park in 'Farmington, Connecticut). The picnic was to be held on ) June 254 1939. P&tawka, 7 e 66';4i J On January 10, 1940 the Paris. Council had an election with the following results:; Krikor Manoogian, Chariman; Hovhaness Shahanian, Vice-Chairman; GaTabed Hovsepian, Secretary; Lazar Manoogian, Vice-Secretary; Mariam. Boghosian, Treasurer;. Ardashess DerBagdassariant Book. Keeper; lagoob Yagoobia314 Hovhaness Boghosian,' and Eskoohi Simonian, Advisors.. .At a Parish Council meeting .held on May 7,. 1940 Very Reverand Mesrob (Aperah) Semerjian had accepted an invitation and was elected as pastor of the parish. Under the leadership of Father Semerjian the immediate necessities of the parish were the first items that were discussed* 'namely having regular. church services and also having .a joint meeting between the Parish 'Council and the Women's Guild. The joint meeting may have been an attempt to encourage the Women's Guild to continue working with the Parish Coundil and also to assist in lending finacial aid to the future endevours of the parish. At the joint meeting, which was held on May 9, 1940ithe discussion. involved having "a smooth running Parish Council. and church. community." It was decided at the meeting that each.working,member pay $10.00 yearly dues.59 It appears that the Council, under its new clerical leadership, was ersulng swift ventures to establish another 5 9Parish Council Minutes, be. 1934, p. 181. Armenian Apostolic Church edifice in New Britain. At an August 28, 1940 meeting, the Parish Council reported that it had found a suitable building ffor sale on Erwin :Place in. New Britain that was a Ukranian Hall. The building and land was purchased shortly after for $6,500.00. The building was eighty feet. by forty feet.60 Different people were looking into the matter of renovating the hall to enable it to be converted into a church. Mariam Boghosian reported that the architect with wham. she consulted gave the figure of $1,160.00 for immediate constructions that. would have to be done. In November of 1940, the Council reported that a second architect, a Mr,Gazor would repair the building for $660.00. This price was found to be much more suitable and he was hired to repair the building. The Council met on NOvember 20, 1940 and the.Chairman stated, "there is much work to be done." MafinanceS'and- phybical work involved. - in the Conversion of the. building.were assumed by individuals and organizations of the church and 'local communities. The Church youth organization said that -err • Oh ttrvy would donate the funds heeded to construct the alter. Hovhaness Boghosian was asked to look for an architect to 40' construe-b.-the alter. The job of painting the hall was given to a Mr. Speptrin, for a fee. of $435..00. The construction of the alter was given to the New Britain Lumber Company for a 41k, fee of $134.00,. The picture for the alter was procurred from 6 °History and Statistics, "New. Britain"'sec.. -37- the Ukranian Hall for $35.00. Almostallc:ofLthe articles that were removed from St. Stephen's church were used to furnish and decorate the interior, thus minimizing the need for finances. A fund raising meeting which would involve the general community was called for December 14, 1940. Results of that meeting were not recorded.61 On January 29, 1941 the Parish Council decided to write a letter to the Diocese requesting the Primate to come to New Britain and consecrate the new church. On March 12, 1941 the Council reported that other construction and donations would be supplied by local Armenians. The.bapt c"mal font was designed and constructed by Peter Egazarian without any charge. The finishing work on the twelve crosses that represented the twelve Apostles would be done by Levon Azarigian.62.Aleo mentioned for their endless efforts were Sarkis Azarigian and Yagoob Yagoobian.63 The consecration of the church took place on March 19, 1941 by the Primate, Archbishop Karekin Hovsepian.. The church was 'officially called The Armenian Church of the Holy Resurrection. Levon Azarigian would be the Godfather of the Church, in memory of his brother, Harootyoon Azarigian.64 - Parish Council elections were held on May 18, 1941. 61 :Parish Council Minutes, beg, 1934, pj..1W.ahd1p. 191. 62Ibid., P. 198. 63History and Statistics, new. Britain" sec.. 64Parish Council Minutes, beg. 1934, p. 201. -38- The following were elected: Ghevont DerMargosian, Chairman; Armenag DerHoosigian, Secretary; Haig Yessian, Treasurer; Ardashess DerBagdassariant Hovhaness Boghosian, Tavit Tavitian, and Garabed Hovsepian, Advisors. The Council reported that the financial status of the Church was favorable and decided to par the mortgage "as soon as possible." A financial report of the preceeding fifteen month period read: Incom4 $4.340.49 and Expense, $3,979.55. Aitlerof $360.94 had been realized. Thus, the Church had been established and appeared to be flourishing without severe financial difficulties. Organizations, previously established, continued to lend their support to the parish, namely the Women's Guild, established in 1914; the Armenian School, which held its first official class in 1918; and more recently, the Sunday School, which was established in 1932-and a youth organization, established as the "Sons and Daughters of the Armenian Church, which in 1936 was renamed the Armenian Church Youth Organization of America (A.O.Y.O.A.). In. July of 1941 an educational committee was formed by .the Parish Council. The committee consisted of: Lazar Manoogian, Khatchadoor Markarian, and Sirvart Simonian. Also, because of the reported "lamented state of .the choir,"Barah Yagoobian was officially named choir director on September 18, 1941 in hopes that "her guidance would build the choir back to a respectable level."65 The Parish Council meeting of November 27, 1941 concerned itself with the resignation of Father Mesrob 6 5Parish Council Minutes, beg. 1934, pp. 216-217. -39- Semerjian. He had announced that Sunday, November 30, 1941 would be his last Sunday as pastor of the New Britain parish. During the crucial period of refurbishing, his guidance and leadership,cannot go without recognition. Thus, the tragic severance of the local. Armenian . community, caused by different political ideologies.and leading to the establishment of a second Armenian. Apostolic Church in New Britain. Both local churches are presently self governedo attrie.1.1.sabole4tecott.0164iseetr I rvatikescl, avresiten c clauxy„,,o,fauld.lagzaagaiika414a,1,044,44AdohlaktkrAsogniv Itittrrit haa,calIF.fletteta4-avagimeotaa-mi.e4orrat e • The growth of the two churches can possibly be a credit to a number of individual. Armenian people in the community who are very dedicated to their church. People such as, Miss Sarah Yagooblan, who began as choir director of her church in 1941 and has persisted at this task until the present day. The extreme emotional feeling of severance has subside& and both churches tolerate the existance of the other. Some parishoners attempt to keep Armenian politics and the Church separate. On certain. occAt4As,"joint social partici- pation is evident and some have reestablished friendships. The present situation can best be exemplified by the term that one calls the other...my "separated brethren." Although the groups have severed, both have cultural, historical,, and religious 'ties that will never die. • -40- BIBLIOGRAPHY , Armenian Church Committee, .Ch. rch eco'oi the Armenian Church Committee, (leg. 1900:1'1 The Armenian Church Committee: New Britain, Connecticut; 1900). /4:;' Armenian Church of the Holy ResurrecUoD4Aitittes of the Parish Council Meetings, Ug. 194' (The Pariah • Council of the Armenian Chureii-lif- the Holy Resurrection: New Britain, Connecticut, 1945). Department of Commerce; Bureau of the 0ensus,SPeoial-Reports on Religious Bodies, 1906, (Government Printing • Office: Washington, D.C., 1910), ' Department of Commerce; Bureau of the: Census, Fourteenth Census of the United States State ComvendiUm of • Connecticut, (GoVernment Printing Office: Washington, D.C., 1924). DerAssadourian, Rsverand Father Vartantjlastor • Church of the Holy Resurrection, New Llithan1,- 1711,,a7oce_11,:06,41cm Connecticut, May 1977. 6i,;# IrosikA4*4 ov 44.41 DerMargosian, Stephen; PariShoner of the Armenian Church of the Holy Resurrection and son of the. late* Ghevont DerMargosian; former Parish Council 'Officer.- April, 1978. Diocese of the Armenian Church, History. and Statistics of the Armenian Communities of the Diocese of the Armenian Church, prepared by Reverand Father.Arten Ashjian; (Leylegian Printing Press: New York, New York, 1949). Hoosigian, Mrs. Arshal and Yagoobian, Miss Sarah, Parishoners of the Armenian Church of the Holy Resurrection, 2 May 1978. Lowell A.C.Y.O.A•.; SPorts Weekend 1976 Bicentennial Booklet, (Lowell Chapter-of the• Armenian:Church Youth . Organization of America: Lowell, Massachusetts, 1976). New Britain News; ''Armenian Church Men. In Near Church Riot," • New Britain News, 20 December 1915. New York Times, :"Archbishop Athaassinated In. Procession'. To. . Alter*" New.York Times, Vol. LXXXIII No. 27,729, 25 December 1933. . New York Times, .'!Beaten At Church PicniW New York Times, Vol. LXXXIII No, 27,730, 26 December 1933. -41- St. Stephen's Armenian Apostolic Church, Ninutes of the Parish Council, beg. 19342 (The Paribh Council of St. Stephen's Armenian Apostolic Church: New Britain, Connecticut, 1934). St. Stephen's Armenian Apostolic Church, Fiftieth Anniversary of St. Stephen's Armenian Apostolic Church of Hartford- New Britain, St. Stephen's Armenian Apostolic Church: Neld Britain, Connecticut, 1975). . et.„1.04. , 424414 7peoe tAto-44- -14 ,14,„44t #vh:, qt AA §14T, ele • og 04,14Avs, 4 - z Ov, A4v4, _4:11 ui,44440w 0' /AeugmA ;21 z fJd s, •. ,,,Ipegd Plem elq g /peR, to • e.444.--Y64,-4-4.04) 4:044,,„*44442/174:44..;...PU 1J44.'°4---.-t