Armenian Evangelical Church, Ashrafieh

History

The Armenian Evangelical Church in Beirut, started in the Armenian camps in 1922. These camps were called each by the original name of the homeland. For example camp Hajen, camp Aintab, camp Adana, camp Amanos, camp Marash and other camps.

The Armenian Evangelicals were distributed in 13 different camps and nearby streets. In 1926 the Armenian Evangelical joint work was separated, and thus the Armenian Evangelical Church of Ashrafieh was formed. The Rev. Yenovk Hadidian became the founding pastor of the church and continued to serve the newly formed church until 1962. According to the statistics of 1926, the church had 1500 members (680 males and 820 females). The first deacons of the church were Mr. Partam Shanlian and Mr. Soghomon Balekian. The first Board of managers consisted of the following names: Mr. Haigazoun Roubian, Mr. Haroutioun Keleshian, Mr. Setrak Havoundjian and Mr. Sarkis Metrebian. The first Board of Trustees consisted of the following names: Mr. Haroutioun Khoshafian, Mr. Hampartsoum Momjian, Mr. Krikor Euredjian, Mr. Hovhannes Sanjejian and Mr. Arakel Zanazanian.

The worship services were held in a very poor setting. Under these poor conditions the church took form and developed during the following years and became a strong church.

For the first six years the church was called the Camp Armenian Evangelical Church and after the spring of 1932, it started to be known as the Armenian Evangelical Church of Ashrafieh.

The church building was erected in 1932 by the generous donation of Rev. Henry Riggs in memory of his wife and daughter, who passed away while serving among the Armenians of Kharpoot, Turkey.

In 1936 a new piece of land was bought adjacent to the church and the parsonage was built on it. The church bell was donated through the representative’s of the Swiss Friends of Armenia Mr. Karl Mayer and Mr. Yakob Kunzler.

The church had a large educational ministry in the Union of the Armenian Evangelical churches in the Near East. The first Armenian school in the camps started in 1922, in camp Adana. From 1922-1926, Rev. Yenovk Hadidian established 10 Armenian Evangelical schools. Besides these schools the church had its Sunday School. In 1928 the number of students in the churches’ Sunday school was 700 children.

The church had its Christian Endeavor Youth Association, which was founded by Dr. Puzant Hadidian and Miss Puzantouhi Yardemian. At its starting year, that is 1926, it had 134 members (45 boys and 89 girls). The church had its Junior Youth group, which had 65 members. Both of these organizations put their emphasis on the formation of the Christian character of the teenagers and preparing them both mentally and spiritually to become faithful followers of Jesus Christ and members of the church.

Seven women who were elected by the church’s communicant members started the women’s auxiliary in 1938. Some of the women were: Mrs. Satenig Kerkyasharian, Mrs. Maktaghine Manougian, Mrs. Mary Jafarian, Mrs. Helen Hadidian and others. This Women’s Union helps the church and the school financially and provids spiritual and moral guidance to the women of the church.

In 1942 the church stopped receiving financial aid from the Union of the Armenian Evangelical churches in the Near East and other sources, and became self-sufficient.

The church and its pastor, faithful to their spiritual calling, have always stressed the necessity of repentance and being born again Christians, prayer life and service and spreading the word of God.

There have been several spiritual awakenings in the church on different occasions, which brought spiritual renewal and new enthusiasm to the life of the church and increased its membership.

The church had several faithful deacons as Mr. Partam Shanlian, Mr. Soghomon Balekian, Mr. Setrag Havounjian, Mr. Hovhannes Dardaghanian and Mr. Samuel Festekjian.

Some of the churches prominent committee members were Mr. Haroutioun Keleshian, Mr. Krikor Euredjian, Mr. Armenag Zadigian, Mr. Movses Andonian, Mr. Haig Artinian, Mr. Vahan Melikian, Mr. Krikor Boghosian, Mr. Samuel Kerkasharian, Mr. Avedis Dzarougian, Dr. Voskeperan Merjanian, Dr. Henry Bedeer, Dr. Tashjian, Mr. Okosteen Bedeer, Mr. Zaven Hadidian, Mr. Toros Touzdjian and others.

The pastors who served in the Armenian Evangelical Ashrafieh church were:

  1. Rev. Yenovk Hadidian, 1926-1962
  2. Rev. Vahram Salibian, 1962-1966
  3. Rev. Hagop Sagherian, 1967-1986
  4. Rev. Krikor Youmushakian, 1986-1989
  5. Rev. Nishan Bakalian, 1992-1995
  6. Rev. Soghomon Kilaghbian, 1996-

At present the church has its Sunday school with the leadership of Mrs. Maral Haidostian and Miss Rima Cholakian. The Sunday school teachers for this year are:

  1. Miss Noushig Shanlian
  2. Miss Gassia Kelougian
  3. Miss Palig Kilaghbian
  4. Miss Betty Kechejian
  5. Miss Tsoler Boulghourjian
  6. Mrs. Jenny Saghdassarian
  7. Mrs. Taline Boymoushakian
  8. Mr. Khajag Khachadourian
  9. Mr. Raffy Parseghian
  10. Mr. Razmig Kaprielian
  11. Mr. Ara Boymoushakian

The Junior Youth group is with the leadership of Rev. Sebouh Terzian for the year 2007-2008. The assistant leaders are:

  1. Mr. Raffi Parseghian
  2. Mr. Samo Kelougian
  3. Mr. Shahan Kilaghbian
  4. Mr. Elie Dosh
  5. Miss Anna Bosnoyan
  6. Miss Pauline Bedros
  7. Miss Nanor Kelenjian

There are 30 teenagers who are attending the Junior Youth group activities.

The Youth Group is with the leadership of Mrs. Esther Kilaghbian. The Youth Group committee members are:

  1. Miss Gasia Kelougian
  2. Mr. Jean Minas
  3. Mr. Vrej Tchitchian
  4. Mr. Razmig Kaprielian
  5. Miss Marina Tchorekjian

There are forty young men and women who are attending the activities of the Youth Group.

The Women’s Auxiliary Committee members are:

  1. Mrs. Loulou Khatchadourian (chairperson)
  2. Mrs. Sosi Jamgochian (secretary)
  3. Mrs. Arpine Deyirmenjian (treasurer)
  4. Mrs. Sylva Mesrobian
  5. Mrs. Nver Gulesserian
  6. Mrs. Esther Kilaghbian (as yeretsgin)

There are forty ladies who usually attend the activities of the Women’s Auxiliary every Thursday morning and on various occasions.

The Church Spiritual Committee members are:

  1. Rev. Dr. Paul Haidostian
  2. Mrs. Maral Deyirmenjian
  3. Mr. John Sagherian

The Church Council members are:

  1. Rev. Soghomon Kilaghbian (chairperson)
  2. Rev. Sebouh Terzian (vice-chairperson)
  3. Mr. Garbis Deyirmenjian (secretary)
  4. Miss Sona Nashian
  5. Mrs. Maral Haidostian
  6. Mrs. Ani Kelenjian
  7. Mrs. Elen Sagherian (deacon)

The Church Trustees members are:

  1. Mr. Hrag Deyirmenjian (chairperson)
  2. Mr. Berj Kissoyan (secretary)
  3. Mr. Garo Tavitian (treasurer)
  4. Mrs. Maral Yacoubian
  5. Mrs. Loulou Khachadourian
  6. Mr. Jean Yardemian
  7. Mr. Ara Boymoushakian

The School Committee members are:

  1. Miss Pauline Sagherian (chairperson)
  2. Mrs. Maro Nersessian (secretary)
  3. Mrs. Shakee Kissoyan (treasurer)
  4. Mrs. Arlette Terzian
  5. Miss Karen Chenozian
  6. Mr. Edie Khachadourian
  7. Mr. Dzadour Khachadourian
  1. The church has a separate program for children during the worship service.
  2. Has two vans for transportation. They are used by the Sunday school, Junior Youth Group and for transporting the elderly people. The van drivers are all volunteers.
  3. Besides the Sunday Worship service the church has its prayer meeting every Tuesday.
  4. On Thursday it has a Bible study for the Youth group.
  5. End of year and Holy Week worship services.
  6. The Church has its annual one-day retreat, with its worship service, seminar, lunch and social hour.
  7. It has its annual luncheon every January.
  8. It has its pastoral class for preparing communicant members for the church.
  9. The church is a member in the Union of the Armenian Evangelical Churches in the Near East and participates in the different activities of the Union by providing both financial and moral support.
  10. The church also supports different humanitarian projects either through the Union or on its own.
  11. The church has its High School, The Armenian Evangelical Central High School.
  12. The school board members are elected usually from the church members. The students attend the worship service every other Sunday.
  13. For nurturing the spiritual life of its members the church organizes Bible studies, discussion groups and prayer meetings.
  14. Through the participation of its members both in Lebanon and in the Diaspora during the last three years the church windows were changed, the walls and the ceiling were painted, the doors and the benches were renovated and polished. Also an air conditioning unit was installed. And recently a new sound system was purchased.
  15. The church participates in the AMAA projects by keeping an orphan in Karapagh-Armenia, and by making general donations, during the month of March, to the different projects of the AMAA.