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1942 |
During his address to the Diocesan Assembly (convened in Providence, RI, on November 7-8), Archbishop Karekin Hovsepian--then Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America--urges the delegates to create a fund for a cathedral, diocesan center, and community library. After debate, the Assembly approves the idea in principle. |
| 1943 | The August issue of Hayastanyaitz Yegeghetzi (The Armenian Church)--the official organ of the Diocese--features an editorial written by Archbishop Hovsepian on the need for a cathedral and diocesan center. The envisioned structure is meant to include residences for the Primate and a few celibate priests. |
| 1945 |
With Fr. Tiran Nersoyan, the new Primate, presiding at the Diocesan Assembly (convened in Boston, MA, January 27-28), the delegates adopt a resolution on forming a committee for the Cathedral Building Project. |
| 1946 |
Bishop Nersoyan presides at a banquet in New York on February 24 in honor of Armenian-American men and women in the U.S. Armed Forces. The 200 people in attendance at this event raise $20,000 for the Cathedral Project. Bishop Nersoyan addresses the Diocesan Assembly (Watertown, MA, November 12-13) on how an Armenian cathedral and diocesan center will be important not only for New York City but for the entire Diocese. In a release to the public dated December 16, the Cathedral Project committee states that it has temporarily suspended its fundraising campaign in order to avoid jeopardizing the Repatriation to Armenia Campaign. |
| 1947 |
The editorial in the March Hayastanyaitz Yegeghetzi announces the resumption of the fundraising campaign for the Cathedral Project. On March 15, Bishop Nersoyan delivers a radio address on the subject; its Armenian and English texts are published in the April Hayastanyaitz Yegeghetzi. In his address to the Diocesan Assembly (Troy, NY, October 11-12), Bishop Nersoyan states the need to raise $250,000 to purchase a property for the Cathedral Project. |
| 1948 | The December Hayastanyaitz Yegeghetzi contains an announcement that, with $235,000 already raised, a location in mid-town Manhattan close to the United Nations headquarters is being considered for the project. Four plots of land have been purchased. |
| 1949 |
A press release dated April 25 from the Diocesan Office announces the purchase of a property on Second Avenue in Manhattan between 34th and 35th Streets, facing St. Gabriel Park. As of April, the address of the Diocesan Office is 630 Second Avenue. Bishop Nersoyan reminds the delegates of the Diocesan Assembly (North Philadelphia, PA, October 8-9), that "The building of the Cathedral and Community Center, for which the first important step was taken this year, should be promoted vigorously.... All efforts made in this direction will be a wise investment." The membership of the Central Committee of the Cathedral and Community Center Project Rt. Rev. Bishop Tiran Nersoyan, President and Chairman Committee Members: |