[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 15]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 20870]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



            HONORING HOLY TRINITY ARMENIAN APOSTOLIC CHURCH

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GEORGE RADANOVICH

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, October 29, 2001

  Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to Holy Trinity Armenian 
Apostolic Church for their 101st anniversary. Holy Trinity Church has 
been a cornerstone of Fresno's Armenian community since its inception 
in 1900.
  For over 100 years, the Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church has 
served as the spiritual, cultural, and social landmark for Armenians 
throughout Fresno and the San Joaquin Valley.
  Armenian Apostolic Church services were held in Fresno as early as 
1895 in a rented hall by the Rev. Aharon Melkonian, who had arrived 
from Erzerum 1 year earlier. As the parish grew so did the need for a 
church building. Construction began soon after the church held a 
general meeting on February 25, 1900, at which a board of trustees was 
elected. Then, on March 2, 1900, a building committee was appointed and 
it was decided that the church would be named Holy Trinity.
  The foundation of the church was blessed on April 1, 1900, and on 
October 14, 1900, the Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church was 
consecrated by the Primate of the Armenian Diocese, Rev. Bishop Hovsep 
Sarajian. It was the second Armenian Apostolic Church in the United 
States.
  In the beginning many Armenians found themselves in a strange new 
land and turned to the church for support. Still today, those who are 
no longer strangers to this country continue to view the church as 
their focal point for spiritual guidance, thus enabling the church and 
its members to withstand the test of time.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to the Holy Trinity Armenian 
Apostolic Church on the occasion of the 101st anniversary celebration. 
I urge my colleagues to join me in honoring Holy Trinity Armenian 
Apostolic Church on this special day of recognition.

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