America’s oldest Armenian Church seeks founding families’ descendants
Armenian Church of Our Saviour in Worcester, recognized as America’s oldest Armenian church, is calling on descendants of its founding families — and all those whose family histories intersect with this historic parish — to reconnect with their roots as the church prepares to celebrate its 135th anniversary on November 21 and 22, 2026.
Consecrated in 1891, the church’s original sanctuary on Laurel Street was established by Armenian immigrants who came to central Massachusetts seeking opportunity and building new lives in America, many finding work in Worcester’s wire mills. At a time when Armenian communities were just beginning to take root in the United States, the parish became the first seat of the Armenian Diocese in America and helped lay the foundation for Armenian church life across the country.
As the Armenian community in Worcester grew, the parish built its current sanctuary on Salisbury Street in 1952 to serve an expanding congregation. Today, Worcester remains one of New England’s enduring centers of Armenian American life, where three Armenian churches continue to preserve faith, language, culture and community.
As part of this milestone anniversary, the church is reaching out to descendants of its founders and early parish leaders, many of whose families may now be living across the United States.
“Many Armenian American families began their journey in Worcester before putting down roots in other parts of the country,” said Steve Migridichian, a deacon of the church and member of the anniversary planning committee. “We hope this celebration will bring families back to where so many of their American stories began, while honoring the vision, sacrifice and faith of those who built this church for future generations.”
The planning committee is especially hoping to connect with descendants of the founders and members of the committee that built the original Laurel Street church, including:
- Bishop Hovsep Sarajian
- Abraham Agajanian
- Hamparsoom Arakelian
- Minas Aroian
- Krikor Bagdigian
- Mardiros Bagdigian
- George Mardiros
- Garabed Tashjian
- Z. Terzian
- Kevork Avedisian
- Mardiros Gujigian
- Kevork Juskalian
- Hovanes Krikorian
- Nazar Norsigian
- Bagdasar Tashjian
- Kevork Tashjian
- Yacoub Torosian
- Hovhannes Yaghjian
Individuals who believe they may be descendants — or who know families connected to these early parish leaders — are encouraged to contact Steve Migridichian at smigridichian@dandsrealtyllp.com
The anniversary committee is also seeking photographs, documents, and personal memories connected to the life of the parish. Families are invited to share photographs from baptisms, weddings, Sunday school, ACYOA activities, choir performances, picnics, and other moments that tell the story of Armenian American life through the generations.
All are invited to join the 135th anniversary celebration on Nov. 21, 2026, as the community gathers in the church cultural hall to honor the history of a church and the story of Armenian faith, perseverance and family in America.
Details about the event will follow. On Sunday, Nov. 22, 2026, a special worship service will be held at the church, presided over by Bishop Mesrop Parsamyan, Primate of the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church.
The church of our Savior on Laurel Street in Worcester, was consecrated in 1891. As noted, it is the first Armenian church on the American continent. A few miles from it, the Armenian Church of The Martyrs, was consecrate 10 years later in 1901. It is the oldest Armenian Church on the American continent still in use, at 22 Osmond street, Worcester. But in a deeper sense the Church is not the building. In The Armenian Church of the Martyrs there is a plaque where it is inscribed “1881 – Commenced with prayer meeting at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Hovhannes Yezijian (writer)”. It is documented that the new church “First, was constitutionally named Armenian Evangelical Church 1882-1892.” The church has had different names. In Armenian it was called “Հայ Նահատակաց Եկեղեցի». The Armenian Evangelical Union was found in this church in 1902 and The Armenian Missionary Associated of America (AMAA) was found in this church in 1918. No wonder that the late Dr. Hagop Martin Deranian titled his book “Worcester is America”, which is an actual quote by an Armenian immigrant, who upon being welcomed to America by the immigration officer, replied, “No, no, Worcester is America”.
As a descendent of the Armenian Church of Our Saviour, consecrated as Soorp Prgitch/ Holy Saviour, I am heartened to know that it still remains vibrant in its faithful ministry to the Armenian community of Worcester. My grandparents attended the first [original] sanctuary on Laurel Street, we buried from the church. my mother Diramayr Mary Kochakian was baptized in that church, and I recall attending one of the last weddings there of my Aunt Sally [nee Simonian] Arakelian in 1951 before the new church on Salisbury Street was built in 1952. My granduncle Dr. Sooren Simon Alexander [ my grandmother’s brother] was a Godfather to the new Church building on Salisbury Street.
Fast forward, it is the present edifice that became my own spiritual home– where I was ordained a priest 50 years ago, where I served as a Deacon, Assistant Pastor and then as Pastor. Many family and friends became my parishioners until I departed the community in 1982.
I have fond remembrances, historically spiritually and emotionally to to this blessed community where the families of Simonians, Alexanian/ Alexanders, Arakelians, Sogigians, Semirjians and Yaghjians served, led and worshipped- all a testament to the Faith of our fathers from Kharpert/ Mezireh to Worcester America.
As a descendent of the Armenian Church of Our Saviour, consecrated as Soorp Prgitch/ Holy Saviour, I am heartened to know that it still remains vibrant in its faithful ministry to the Armenian community of Worcester. My grandparents attended the first [original] sanctuary on Laurel Street, buried from the church. my mother Diramayr Mary Kochakian was baptized in that church, and I recall attending one of the last weddings there of my Aunt Sally [nee Simonian] Arakelian in 1951 before the new church on Salisbury Street was built in 1952. My granduncle Dr. Sooren Simon Alexander [ my grandmother’s brother] was a Godfather to the new Church building on Salisbury Street. Fast forward, it is the present edifice that became my own spiritual home– where I was ordained a priest 50 years ago, where I served as a Deacon, Assistant Pastor and then as Pastor. Many family and friends became my parishioners until I departed the community in 1982. I have fond remembrances, historically spiritually and emotionally to to this blessed community where the families of Simonians, Alexanian/ Alexanders, Arakelians, Sogigians, Semirjians and Yaghjians served, led and worshipped- all a testament to the Faith of our fathers from Kharpert/ Mezireh to Worcester America.