On December 15, 1923, our founding pastor, Rev. Stephen Stepanian, arrived in Philadelphia to establish the first Armenian Catholic parish in the “New World.” Through the benevolence of the pastor of St. Columba’s Church on Lehigh Avenue, Father Stepanian accepted the use of the basement of the lovely church for his chapel. Three years later, after learning the language and familiarizing himself with the ways of America, Father Stepanian was ready to venture out on his own.

Learn More