| St. Mark Church |
|
2427 Wilbraham Road
Springfield, MA 01129 |
Telephone: (413) 783-5793
Fax: (413) 783-5793
Email: stmarkarmch1@hotmail.com
|
Pastor: Rev. Fr. Mesrob Benlian
|
History
Established: June 15, 1958
Consecrated: June 15, 1958, for the original
Sanctuary: The parish owns its permanent sanctuary, which is not the original one. The previous site was on Dresden Street in Springfield, MA, and was known as St. John the Divine Armenian Church from 1958-83. It was purchased for $12,500 from the Chase Memorial Baptist Church. The parish built its current sanctuary. Major benefactors include Fred Zeytoonjian, Kapriel Garabedian family, Mr. and Mrs. Sam Bedrosian, and Nishan Toros Omartian. Important Events: The parish hosted the ACYOA National Sports Weekend in 1972, the National Choir Assembly in 1975, and the Diocesan Assembly in 1987 and again in 2002. |
|
| Statistics |
|
Armenians in general area: 200 Estimated number of members: 200 Dues-paid members: 115 Average number of sacraments:
Baptisms: 3
Funerals: 7
(Figures from 2001) |
| Pastors |
| Rev. Fr. Guregh Kalfayan, 1958-62; Rev. Fr. Bedros Feredjian, 1962-65; V. Rev. Fr. Mesrob Semerjian, 1965-69; Rev. Fr. Nerses Baboorian, 1967-69; Rev. Fr. Nerses Jebejian, 1969-80; V. Rev. Fr. Mesrob Semerjian (visiting), 1980-84; V. Rev. Fr. Nourhan Manoogian, 1984-92; Visiting Clergy, 1992-95; Rev. Fr. Vasken Kouzouian, 1995-99; Fr. Mikael Devejian, 2002-2004; Visiting Clergy, 2004-2005; Fr. Mesrob Benlian, 2005-present |
| Parish Council
|
Mary Omartian, Chairman
Zhirayr Khachigian, Vice Chairman
Karen Tesini, Secretary
Suzanne Elmasian, Treasurer
Council Members: Dr. Armen Asik, Nersess (Nelson) Assarian, Dr. Mark Belemjian, Richard Demirgian, Elane Devine, Jeri Humphries, David Jermakian
Delegate: Hagop Boyajian
|
|
|
|
Church Schools
Sunday School, 30 students
Armenian School, 14 students
Church Publications
Sanahin, a monthly newsletter
|
Parish Organizations
Women's Guild founded in 1958, 21 members; ACYOA Juniors founded in 1996, 8 members; Men's Club founded in 1958, 22 members; Choir, 11 members; Next Generation Club founded in 1994, 12 members
|
|
|
