The year-long centennial celebration at St. Mesrob Church of Racine, WI, continued last month with a weekend of celebrations and reunions. On October 8, some 200 guests gathered at Racine’s Delta Marriott for a Centennial Banquet.
Presided over the occasion was Diocesan Vicar Fr. Simeon Odabashian, representing Diocesan Primate Fr. Mesrop Parsamyan. Fr. Simeon conveyed blessings from the Primate, and congratulated the parish on its milestone.
Racine Mayor Cory Mason presented the parish with a certificate commemorating the auspicious occasion.
Dn. Dan Korakian was Master of Ceremonies for the evening, in a program featuring opening and closing prayers by former St. Mesrob pastors Fr. Garabed Kochakian and Fr. Yeprem Kelegian. “We were very blessed to have so many supporters from our parish as well as guests from surrounding communities,” remarked banquet chair Judy Petersen.
A video titled The Translators, highlighting the parish’s trailblazing history, premiered during the dinner. Racine pastor Fr. Avedis Kalayjian produced the film and served as its narrator.
“The spiritual culture of St. Mesrob Church has been one of service for the glory of God,” he said in the video. “Through the years, Armenians have cared for the less fortunate, the voiceless, the poor, the soldiers of our adopted country, our brothers and sisters in Armenia and Artsakh. The parish responded generously to appeals locally and abroad, and took its own initiative to spread the mercy of God to others.” (To watch the video online, click here.)
Remarks & Remembrances
Other highlights of the evening included remarks from Elsie Garoukian, Harry Boranian, Nadine Mach, and parish council chair Steve Gengozian. A musical interlude featured Aram Kalayjian on piano. An Armenian tapestry featuring St. Mesrob Mashdots and the alphabet was unveiled, as a special gift to the parish from Diramayr Anahid Kalayjian.
Banquet attendees received St. Mesrob Centennial commemorative key chains handmade in Armenia, as well as a commemorative anniversary booklet. The banquet concluded in a dance, with music provided by the Wisconsin-based Armenian band, the Mid-East Beat.
The following day, a special hokehankist was offered for all the clergy, yeretzgins, and other parishioners who have served and passed on during the past 100 years of parish life. After the badarak celebrated by Fr. Odabashian, worshipers gathered for a luncheon sponsored by the St. Mesrob ACYOA. Fr. Garbed spoke on the stained glass project he had spearhead in the early 1980s, during his tenure in Racine.
Joining Fr. Kalayjian on the Centennial Banquet committee were dedicated parishioners Judy Hachikian Petersen, Lauren Chalekian, Linda Budlow, Patti Drumm, and Janet Mrazek. The October weekend was part of a series of anniversary events and initiatives in 2022. Others included the monthly Centennial Spotlight, the Racine 4th of July Parade, a madagh dinner, the Armenian Fest Centennial display, and a vespers service at the first church in Racine to host St. Mesrob worshipers.
Still to come, on November 16, is a service and reception at the original St. Mesrob sanctuary in Racine.