Church Timeline

Earliest Armenians arrived in Indian Orchard escaping the Hamidian massacres and conflict in the Ottoman Empire. This resulted in a very small population and an unorganized community in Indian Orchard. 

Immigration of primarily unmarried men, from the Sepastia region in Armenia, who sought to avoid service in the Ottoman Turkish army.  They came to America (Indian Orchard) to earn money for their families in Western Armenia, expecting to return to their homeland. While in Indian Orchard, they lived in temporary rooming houses. 

The Armenian immigrants worked in factories and were unable to return to Armenia due to World War I and Armenian Genocide. A community began to form in Indian Orchard as they sought permanent residence. Some of the men volunteered to serve as Armenian Legionnaires under the Allied Command in the Middle East and Cilicia. 

Many of the Armenian Legionnaires returned to the U.S. married and began families. The first Indian Orchard Armenian community was established which included political organizations, benevolent chapters, and men's / women's groups. 

During the height of the Great Depression, the Armenians in Indian Orchard decided to build a community center at 135 Goodwin Street where their religious, educational and social needs could be met.

Groundbreaking of the first St. Gregory Armenian Church in Indian Orchard took place. Sam Aykanian performed the symbolic shoveling at the groundbreaking event. Building the structure (site preparation, masonry, carpentry, etc) was carried out by members of the community, which included 26 charter families*. 

* See below for list of the 26 charter families

The formal dedication and consecration took place with Rev. Hoosig Nakhnikian

of Worcester. The godfather was Krikor DerStepanian who requested the church

be named St. Gregory the Illuminator after the patron saint of the Armenian

Church.  General Sebouh was the honored guest.

Many St. Gregory men served in World War II in Europe and in the Pacific. The community continued to grow as men returned to Indian Orchard, got married and raised families. 

Planning and fundraising began for the expansion and renovation of St. Gregory Armenian Church.

Dedication of the St. Gregory Armenian Church expansion (sanctuary renovation, baptismal, clergy room, hall/ kitchen renovation) took place. “Buy a Brick” campaign was started to fund the construction.

St. Gregory Armenian Church caught fire during a painting renovation where the church overheated inside.

Fundraising began to rebuild a new St. Gregory Church. An Architect was hired to redesign the church based on the designs of St. Hripsime Church in Armenia and

the Holy Cross Cathedral in Akhtamar on Lake Van. During this time, services continued at a local Episcopal church (St. Andrew, Ludlow)

Consecration of the new St. Gregory Armenian Church in Indian Orchard took place and was presided by Prelate Hrant Surpazan.  Much of the interior finish was completed by the community. 

The first priestly ordination at St. Gregory took place. Der Antranig Baljian was ordained and began his long ministry at this parish. 

Church Office and Vestment Room addition was completed. 

50th Anniversary of St. Gregory Armenian Church

75th Anniversary celebration of St. Gregory Armenian Church was held at the Wilbraham Country Club.