Current News

04 August 2011

The mission parish of Jacksonville, Fla., realized a long-held dream this summer when it purchased a new property to serve as a community center, where local Armenians can gather for worship, and for cultural and social programs.

The parish plans to renovate the two-story, 3,600-square-foot building, located on 2 acres of land, in the coming year. When completed, the second floor will be used for liturgical celebrations and performing sacraments, while the first floor will be for Sunday School classrooms, Bible study sessions, and other activities.

"We're very pleased to see the Armenian faithful of Jacksonville take this important step forward towards a more vibrant community life," said Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern).

The Armenian community in Jacksonville began to coalesce in the 1980s, when the few Armenians who had settled there began searching the phone book for other Armenian families. The community grew in 1991 when a wave of immigrants from Azerbaijan arrived in the area, and soon a mission parish was formed.

For years, the parish held services at a local Greek Orthodox church, with Diocesan clergy visiting about once a month for the celebration of the Divine Liturgy. But with the increase of young families, the community saw a need for a place they could call their own.

"This mission parish is a great group of people," said parish council member Carl Bazarian, who also serves as the vice chair on the Board of the Fund for Armenian Relief. "We have a new generation now that we have to keep together."

Mr. Bazarian added that the community worked hard to raise funds for the project. In addition to a large donation from the late Mabel Altoonjian, the parish hosted picnics, garage sales, dinners, and other events to raise money.

"Through donations, hard work, and commitment of time, the seeds of hope were planted," said Jacksonville's parish council vice chair John Brooks. "Our community waited a long time for this day."

The purchase of the property was finalized on July 26. Community members say that through continued perseverance and the assistance of the Diocese and other parishes, they hope to acquire the necessary liturgical items and other materials needed to furnish the building.

Elmira Grigoryan, who moved to the United States from Azerbaijan and became involved in the Jacksonville community in the last decade, serves as the parish council chair. She stressed the importance of having a physical place to gather for regular church-related activities.

"It was a dream for the whole community to have a place of our own," she said of the new building, but added that a lot remains to be done. She said she hoped more people would be inspired to get involved in renovating the building and strengthening parish outreach.

"For this community of families—who had overcome the hardships of the pogroms in Baku and Artsakh, and the difficulties in establishing themselves in this country—purchasing this property is a remarkable accomplishment," said the Rev. Fr. Tateos Abdalian, director of the Diocese's Mission Parish Department. "They are an example of determination, character, and dedication to their church."

Mr. Bazarian said the mission parish hopes to welcome Archbishop Barsamian soon for a celebratory event. In the meantime, visitors are invited to learn more about the community by visiting its website, www.armenianchurchjacksonville.com.