The following is an excerpt from the pontifical visit program...

Armenian Religious Life in the San Joaquin Valley
From the very beginning of their presence, the Armenians of the San Joaquin Valley showed the courageous qualities of pioneers making good in a new, pristine environment. They started farm, packed and shipped their products, built homes and schools, and developed community-wide cultural institutions. Their splendid effort displayed itself early, especially in their forming religious communions and building houses of worship.

This is evident in nothing that of the first five Armenian Apostolic Churches built and consecrated in the United States (the first being the Church of Our Savior of Worcester, Mass., 1891) three of them were in the San Joaquin Valley: Holy Trinity of Fresno the second in 1900, St. Gregory of Fowler being the fourth in 1910, and St. Mary Yettem being fifth in 1911. Today’s vibrant religious life throughout the San Joaquin Valley and all of the Western Diocese has its roots in this auspicious beginning.

The Very Beginning

Having had its first residents arrive in the San Joaquin Valley (Fresno) in 1871, the Armenian community soon felt the urge to hold religious services. But with the fledging community consisting of both Apostolic and Protestant Armenians, and each too small to have its own church edifice, joint religious services were first held on September 17, 1883, in the First Congregational Church of Fresno. In 1895 the arrangement for joint services had ceased, Father Aharon Melkonian, who had journeyed to Fresno to live with his son, led the Armenians in holding Apostolic services , in rented space in a church at “F” Street and California Avenue. This Arrangement continued until 1899, when the church membership was about 150 and the need to have its own place of worship became essential.

American Diocese Established

His Holiness, Mkrtich Khirmian (“Hairik”), Catholicos of All Armenians, by Encyclical (Gontag) dated July 2, 1898, established a separate Diocese of Armenians in America. The first Diocesan Assembly was held in Worcester, Massachusetts, on September 2, 1906. In 1907, the Fresno Holy Trinity parish received Bishop Hovsep Sarajian, who had resigned as Primate of the Diocese. Responding in 1910 to an inquiry from the diocesan office in Worcester, the Fresno parish reported 5,000 Armenians in California, of whom 4,000 were in Fresno.

The Fowler Parish

The strong Armenian Apostolic Church community of Fowler together with the Armenians in the nearby city of Selma, had been holding religious services in the Episcopal Church in Fowler, with Father Sahag, pastor of Holy Trinity Church of Fresno officiating. Bishop Hovsep and other visiting clergy also officiated at various times. During this time the congregation consisted of 70 to 100 families. The need for a church edifice of their own was being felt as early as 1903.The construction of the church building began on February 8, 1910, and in an impressive ceremony the church was consecrated on April 17, 1910 by Bishop Hovsep Sarajian, and named St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Church. Thus it became the fourth Armenian Apostolic Church in America.

Over the years, the original church structure has been enlarged and repeatedly improved. Also a church hall and rooms for Sunday School classes were added, as well as athletic facilities. The later addition of a dome-belfry lends and Armenian character to the church.It is of further interest to note that the parish of St. Gregory of Fowler is still in its original building (though with the changes made from time to time.) As such, it may be said that it is the second oldest Armenian Church edifice in use today in America.


The following is from the 90th anniversary program...

The City of Fowler is located 10 miles southwest of Fresno and has a population of approximately 3,800. Four families, namely M. Mukjian, Dickran Kaloostian, Peter Thompson, and Harry Yanukian, immigrated here in 1898, renting vineyards for their occupation. The City of Selma, located 15 miles southeast of Fresno, is the neighboring city that makes up a large portion of St. Gregory parish. The first Armenian settler in Selma was Hadji Asadoor in 1898. Armenians also settled in Del Rey, Kingsburg, Parlier, and surrounding areas.

The First Armenian Church in Fowler was the Armenian Congregational Church, which was established in 1903 with Rev. Hovannes Santigian as its first minister. The Armenian Apostolic Church held its services in 1906 and 1907 in the Episcopal Church of Fowler with Fr. Sahag Vartabed Nazaretian, pastor of the Holy Trinity Church in Fresno officiating. Bishop Hovsep Sarajian and other visiting clergy also officiated at various times. During this time, the congregation of the St. Gregory Church consisted of 75 to 100 families.

In the year 1907, the first Divine Liturgy of the Armenian Apostolic Church was celebrated in the Fowler Episcopal Church. Immediately following the Liturgy, the congregation elected a Board of Trustees, their objective being the selection of a suitable site for a church building.

As the majority of the congregation consisted of members from both the Fowler and Selma communities, the question arose to where the church building should be established. On April 15, 1909, the present church site in Fowler was selected and purchased.

The construction of the church building began on February 3, 1910. The godfathers of the foundation stones were the following: Nushan Saghigian, John Kazanjian, Harry Soghigian, John Kasparian, Dikran and Levon Kasparian, Arakel Mirigian, Hovsep Kandarian, Aharon Ajootian and Manoog Garabedian.

In an impressive ceremony the church was consecrated on April 17, 1910, by bishop Hovsep Sarajian, in the presence of a large congregation. The St. Gregory Church of Fowler became the fourth established Armenian Apostolic Church in America, under the jurisdiction of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America. One week after the consecration ceremonies, Ghevont and Hayasdan Shahbazian were the first couple married in the church.

Over the years, the original church building has been remodeled, first in 1971, then in 1985 and again in 1998-1999; a church hall (1932) and Sunday School classes (1980) were also added. From 1987 through 1992, the church site has been enhanced by a park, basketball and volleyball courts, playground, and courtyard, all of which are frequently used and enjoyed by parishioners.


The following clergymen have served St. Gregory...

Rev. Fr. Theodoros Isahagian (1910-1912), Rev. Fr. Soukias Altounian (1913-1914), Rev. Fr. Mampre Peltegian (1915), Rev. Fr. Theodoros Isahagian (1916-1917), Rev. Fr. Melkeset Der Murgrdechian (1918-1919), no resident priest in 1920-1921, Very Rev. Fr. Dirayr Markarian (1922-1932), Rev. Fr. Yeghiazar Ashjian (1935-1936), Rt. Rev. Bishop Hovsep Garabedian (1937) Rev. Fr. Ghevort Parounag (1938-1941 & 1944-1946), Rt. Rev. Bishop Mampre Calfayan (1941-1944), Rt. Rev. Bishop Vartan Kasparian (1946-1951), Rev. Fr. Shahe Avak-Kahana Semerdjian (1951-1962), Rev. Fr. Bessag Avak-Kahana Sarakissian (1963-1964), Very Rev. Fr. Yeznig Chavdarian (1964-1966), Rev. Fr. Haygaser Byramian (1966-1967), Rev. Fr. Tatoul Avak-Kahana Yeretzian (1967-1980), Rev. Fr. Kevork Arakelian (1980-2006), Fr. Yeghia Hairabedian (2006-present).

St. Gregory is now serving its third Generation of Armenians, as well as many converts. We pray that the parish of St. Gregory will be able to meet the challenge of inspiring those who worship and make St. Gregory their spiritual home.

2010 | St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Church