Between 1914-1930 there were very few Armenians in Florida. A small Armenian community in South Florida held religious services on the sands along 5th and 11th Streets on Miami Beach and occasionally at Trinity Episcopal Church under the leadership of Archdeacon Karekin Kevorkian. The founding fathers of this community were: Walter Fisher Balikjian, Dikran Basralian, Movses Movsesian Burt, Joseph Dalkranian, Karekin Harry Kevorkian, John Onnig Kulhanjian, Dr. Joseph Lucinian, Aram Missirlian, Diran Moomjian, Sisag Moomjian, Harootiun Tchakarian and Herant Tiryakian. As Miami grew, so did the Armenian population, and the need for a church was soon recognized. Archbishop Tiran Nersoyan of blessed memory, Primate of the Diocese, on February 17, 1948 appointed the first Building Committee: Mr. Harry Burt, Mr. John Kulhanjian, Dr. Joseph M. Lucinian, Mr. Aram Missirlian, Mr. Sam Moomjian, Mr. James Pilafian and Mr. Harry Tchakarian. He also appointed the first Parish Council: Mr. Dikran Basralian, Mr. Harry Burt, Dr. Mihran Dolmage, Mr. Dikran Khoyan, Mr. John Kulhanjian, Dr. Joseph M. Lucinian, Mr. Aram Missirlian, Mr. Sam Moomjian and Mr. Harry Tchakarian.

In 1951, the Greek Orthodox Church at the corner of NE 15th Street and 1st Avenue was purchased and after extensive remodeling Archbishop Nersoyan consecrated St. John the Baptist Armenian Apostolic Church of Miami on February 8, 1953. In the 1950’s the need for a community hall for cultural and social activities became imminent. In 1961 the Primate, Archbishop Mampre Calfayan of blessed memory, blessed the cornerstone of the Parish Hall during Father Levon Arakelian’s term as our pastor.

In the absence of a permanent pastor and prior to the consecration of the church and for a brief period thereafter, Archdeacon Karekin Kevorkian conducted church services. Divine Liturgy was held during the winter months due to the availability of clergymen. Other dedicated deacons who made it possible for the community to gather in spiritual worship were: Deacons Bedros Azarian, Dikran Basralian, Ghougas Ghougasian, Aram Missirlian, Archdeacon George Nazarian, Garbis Papelian, Hovannes Tamizian and Herant Tiryakian.

St. John/St. Mary grew spiritually through the years under the spiritual guidance of the following clergymen.

The Very Reverend Father Yeghishe Gizirian (1953)

The Most Reverend Father Vahram Nazaretian (1954-1960)

His Grace Archbishop Mampre Calfayan (1961)

Reverend Father Levon Arakelian (1962-1963)

The Most Reverend Father Isahag Ghazarian (1963-1967)

Visiting clergy (1968)

Reverend Father Mampre Biberian (1969-1970)

His Grace Bishop Hmayak Intoyan (1970-1972) – visiting clergy

Reverend Father Guregh Kalfayan (1972-1980)

Visiting clergy (1981-1983)

Reverend Father Terenig Kondralian (1983-1985)

The Very Reverend Father Jirayr Tashjian (1985-1986)

The Most Reverend Father Vasken Tatoyan (1987-1992)

Visiting clergy (1992-1994)

The Very Reverend Father Oshagan Gulgulian (1994-1996)

Visiting clergy (1997-1998)

Reverend Father Vartan Joulfayan (1998-present)

St. John was demolished in mid 1977 and the parish hall was used for Divine Liturgy along with classes and functions. During the following twenty years there was much discussion during Parish Council meetings and Parish Assemblies that the time had come for us to sell the downtown Miami property and look elsewhere. While renting at All Angels Episcopal Church in Miami Springs the need and yearning for our own church grew greater and greater. The dream of a new church finally became a reality.

The consecration of St. Mary Armenian Church is the realization of a much-cherished and long awaited dream. That dream goes back to 1948 when that group of Armenian men and women resolved to do that which most Armenians want when they come together – to build a church to pray in Armenian, to build a school to teach their children the Armenian religion, language and values and to build a hall to gather and continue their Armenian tradition. What started with that small group of newly established Armenians on the shores of South Florida continues today with us, and tomorrow with our children and their children.

In 1995 our former pastor, the Very Reverend Father Oshagan Gulgulian, together with members of the Building Committee (George Davitian, Ara Kulhanjian and the late Monoog Kulhanjian) set out to find a property within the North Dade-South Broward corridor. A five-acre property located in Cooper City (South Broward) was found and an offer was made. We closed on October 26, 1995. The late Richard Nenezian, Esq. handled the closing and all the documentation. Immediately upon closing, we set out to plan the construction and Father Gulgulian approached the prominent Armenian industrialist and philanthropist, Mr. Alex Manoogian. Mr. Manoogian recognized our need and decided to bring his assistance by promising the very generous sum of $200,000.00. May God bless Mr. Manoogian’s soul. Unfortunately, he is not with us today to see what his generous donation helped us accomplish.

His Holiness Karekin I, Catholicos of All Armenians blessed the ground on February 17, 1996, during his first historic pontifical visit to the United States. His Holiness challenged us to make sure that we build the church and consequently “BE BUILT BY IT.”

Aram Lusararian, of Golden Empire Homes, was awarded the contract for the construction. For the planning, Very Rev. Fr. Gulgulian and Aram traveled to Detroit to discuss our plans with Mr. Alex Manoogian and his architect, Mr. Ovsep Sarafian. The Building Committee and Parish Council approved the plans, which were then submitted to the Diocesan Architectural Review Board for their approval. The Board accepted the plans, which in turn were submitted to the Broward County Commission for the platting and site approval. At the Parish Assembly meeting in 1996 the members voted to change the name from St. John the Baptist Armenian Apostolic Church of Miami to St. Mary Armenian Apostolic Church because of the generous donation of Mr. Alex Manoogian in memory of his wife, Marie.

The dream of a new church finally became a reality and the Ground Breaking Ceremony took place on August 24, 1997, presided over by our Primate, His Eminence Archbishop Khajag Barsamian. During a very beautiful ceremony, the sixteen cornerstones, representing the twelve apostles and the four evangelists, were washed with wine, blessed and anointed with Holy Muron (oil) and placed in the ground under the columns. The apostles and evangelists were represented by the following sixteen Godfathers: Vian J. Avedisian, John Baldadian, James Batmasian, Jr., Sarkis Boghossian, George Davitian, Noreek Davitian, Sevan Davitian, Arsen Hanamirian, Mark Hanamirian, Michael Hanamirian, Bedros Kazazian, Knights of Vartan, Bedros Lusararian, George Nenezian, Michael Ohanian and David Semerjian.

With site plan approval in hand, construction began. The property was cleared and the foundation was poured in September 1997. By January 1998 the building was up, the roof installed and the school building started. In February we had our first Badarak in the new church building. Although it was cold, windy and no windows or pews, it was a heartwarming experience. The Rev. Fr. Garabed Kochakian, then Chancellor and member of the Diocesan Architectural Review Board, performed the Badarak and stayed with us to go over the construction progress. By March we were discussing interior design and looking at a completion date of June 1998.

Without the vision and foresight of Father Oshagan Gulgulian and the Building Committee Chairman, George Davitian this could not have been possible. They received the support from the members and dedication of some special men and women in our midst: The Parish Council of 1998 – Mr. Vartan Ananian, Mrs. Naomi Davitian, Mr. Bedros Kazazian, Mrs. Louise Mahakian, Dr. Armen Mirzoian, Mrs. Clara Nenezian and Mr. Arbo Zakaryan and The Building Committee of 1998 – Mrs. Seta Baldadian, Mr. George Davitian, Mrs. Naomi Davitian, Mr. Jack Esmerian, Mrs. Anna Kazazian, Mr. George Nenezian, Mrs. Shocky Pilafian, Mrs. Anny Yaghdjian and Mr. Arbo Zakaryan. Many people were working very hard toward the realization of this project, but none as completely and unselfishly as two very special people: George and Naomi Davitian. Their dedication and commitment were exemplary. They were the very generous benefactors of our church with a donation of $130,000.00

We are proud of our new church, and thank God every day for bringing us in contact with subcontractors who worked with us to ensure that our church would be the way we planned it. Aram worked with Tony Macarian, a designer by profession who studied Armenian Church Architecture and has traveled extensively throughout Armenia and Turkey. The Armenian Architectural style is everywhere: the columns, coloratura, and the stunning dome ceiling, which were hand painted by Tony and his wife Ayshen. The mosaic on our church sign was also designed and hand made by Ayshen, who studied architecture and specializes in mosaics. The beautiful main altar was manufactured by master cabinetmaker, Serge Gharakhanian. The side altars, candle stands and the baptismal font were also the works of his hands. The well-known artist, Armand Moumjian, painted the original oil paintings on the main altar, two side altars and above the baptismal font.

In April 1998 the Building Committee decided that the school/hall building should be extended by 45 feet minimum and a site plan amendment was submitted to the Broward County Commission. In the same month we were happy to welcome our new pastor, Rev. Father Vartan Joulfayan and Yeretzgin Gayane, who immediately set out to lead the committee and serve the parish in every way possible.

St. John the Baptist Armenian Apostolic Church of Miami has served the South Florida community for more than fifty years. Starting from the first deacons who held services on the shores of Miami Beach in the 1030’s till today in our newly built and relocated spiritual home, we have kept our religion alive. From the first Parish Council appointed in 1948 till the present council we have maintained our identity, customs and traditions through our church and its various organizations. The chapter may have closed on St. John but we have experienced the revival of the same spirit, hope and dedication that brought us this far.

Through the guidance of our Lord we have come so far and pray that God may grant us many more fruitful years in the future. Many new families have become members of our church. During the past years St. Mary Armenian Church played an important role in the lives of hundred of faithful parishioners. Our new sanctuary became a new lighthouse to many travelers and visitors who have admired the architectural design and the beauty of our house of prayer. The Davitian Hall also, next to the church, served and continues to serve as a warm place where various social and educational activities are being organized. Certainly, each and every parishioner will always remember the dedicated and unselfish servants of St. Mary with gratitude.

We need to recognize all our leaders, parishioners and clergymen past and present. Most especially the past! We succeeded not only because of the dedication of the present builders but due to the fact that our past foundation and pillars persevered and held on patiently. Everyone, now and then, had a purpose and a plan and glory to God that it was our time and place to be part of His plan and purpose.