[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 43 (Thursday, March 18, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E478]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      CONGRATULATING ST. GREGORY THE ILLUMINATOR CHURCH OF FOWLER

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GEORGE RADANOVICH

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 18, 1999

  Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate St. Gregory 
the Illuminator Church of Fowler, CA, upon its reopening. St. Gregory 
the Illuminator is the fourth oldest Armenian Church in the United 
States.
  St. Gregory first opened its doors in 1906 as the Armenian Apostolic 
Church. The services were held in the Episcopal Church of Fowler, and 
officiated by Father Sahag Vartabed Nazaretian, pastor of the Holy 
Trinity Church in Fresno. During this time, the congregation of the St. 
Gregory Church consisted of 75 to 100 families.
  In 1907, the First Divine Liturgy of the Armenian Apostolic Church 
was celebrated. Immediately following the liturgy, the congregation 
elected a board of trustees, their objective being the selection of a 
suitable site for a church building. On April 15, 1909, the present 
church site in Fowler was selected and purchased.
  Construction of the church building on February 3, 1910. On April 17, 
the church was consecrated in a ceremony in the presence of a large 
congregation. The St. Gregory Church became the fourth established 
Armenian Apostolic Church in America, under the jurisdiction of the 
Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America.
  Over the years, the original church building has expanded, and a 
church hall and Sunday school classes have been added. In 1993 the 
church decided to expand further. The site has since been enhanced by a 
park, basketball and volleyball courts, a playground and a courtyard, 
all of which are frequently used and enjoyed by parishioners. Most 
recently, construction has taken place to expand the sanctuary and 
church offices; a library and conference room have also been added. 
During this time of construction, services have been held in Markarian 
Hall, and a drastic increase in the congregation has been observed, 
making the re-opening of the sanctuary highly anticipated.
  It is the memorable event that St. Gregory celebrates as it serves 
its third generation of Armenians, as well as many converts. It is the 
prayer of the parish that St. Gregory will be able to meet the 
challenge of inspiring those who worship in and make St. Gregory their 
spiritual home.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in congratulating St. 
Gregory the Illuminator Church of Fowler on its longtime service to the 
Christian community, and its efforts to serve better through expansion. 
May it long continue its growth and success.

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