The oldest Armenian church in the United States—The Armenian Church of Our Saviour—is preparing to celebrate the 135th anniversary of its founding and is calling on descendants of its founding families to rediscover their roots and participate in jubilee events.

The church was consecrated in 1891 by Armenian immigrants who had settled in Worcester, Massachusetts. They came to the United States in search of new opportunities and primarily worked in the city’s wire factories. At that time, Armenian communities in America were just beginning to form, and this church became the first center of the Armenian Diocese in the country, playing an important role in the development of Armenian church life.

In 1952, with the growth of the community, the current sanctuary was built on Salisbury Street. Today, Worcester remains an important center of Armenian life in New England, where Armenian churches preserve faith, language, and cultural heritage.

According to Steve Mgrdichian, a member of the jubilee committee, many Armenian-American family histories began in Worcester before spreading across different states. The church hopes this celebration will reunite generations and honor the dedication and faith of those who built the community for future generations.