The groundbreaking ceremony was held on March 11, 1962, and construction of the first Armenian Church in Ohio began in August of that year. The building was designed to reflect elements of traditional Armenian church architecture. The foundation blessing and cornerstone laying ceremonies were held on December 2, 1962. In accordance with church canon, 16 godfathers participated in the ceremony, representing the eleven apostles, four evangelists, and St. Gregory the Enlightenerâthe patron saint of Armenia.

A little more than a year later, on April 12, 1964, the new church was consecrated by Archbishop Manoogian, with the assistance of the Very Rev. Fr. Vasken Kebreslian, Rev. Fr. Arnak Kasparian, Rev. Fr. Diran Papazian, Very Rev. Fr. Jirayr Tashjian, and Deacon Nersess Jebejian. The churchâs godfather, Kegham K. Goekjian, decided to name the house of worship St. Gregory of Narek Armenian Church in honor of the 10th century Armenian monk who authored the Book of Lamentations, a masterpiece of Armenian ecclesiastical literature. Click here to read more.