Last spring, St. Mesrob Church of Racine, WI, kicked off a summer of events celebrating the parish’s centennial. In the months that followed, thousands of people have come together, reuniting with parishioners and old friends, to mark St. Mesrob’s 100 years of lively and spiritual activity.
The Centennial events started in May 2022, with a traditional madagh meal honoring Dn. Chuck Hardy: a pillar of the Racine parish, and mentor to countless altar servers and parishioners. The large crowd of well-wishers–parishioners and guests from throughout the surrounding region–enjoyed performances by the Armenian Dance Company of Chicago and the Narek Bell Choir of St. James Church in Evanston, IL.
St. Mesrob Church was designated as an independent parish in 1922, at which time it was no longer considered part of the general “Midwest Parish” based in Chicago. In a 1922 meeting at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Racine, members of the community voted to request independent status from the Eastern Diocese. One hundred years later, on July 7, 2022–the day the Armenian Church commemorates the life of St. Mesrob Mashdots–parishioners of the namesake church returned to that sacred space for vespers services and a reception marking the momentous occasion.
“We were very thankful for the leaders of St. Luke’s, who allowed us to use their sanctuary for this special centennial celebration,” said Fr. Avedis Kalayjian, pastor of St. Mesrob Church. “A century ago, they opened their doors to us, and welcomed a defeated and heartbroken community. But the Armenians here never lost hope, and it was moving for their descendants to come back to where the parish formally began.”
Members of the parish Centennial Committee have worked diligently since 2021 in preparation for the landmark year. They incorporated the centennial theme into all aspects of parish life, including its annual Armenian Festival, where a special display on loan from the Racine Historical Society detailed some of the community’s history. St. Mesrob also entered a centennial-themed parade float, replete with a giant pomegranate, in Racine’s annual 4th of July Parade–a first-of-its-kind endeavor for the parish community.
Autumn Events
The presence of Armenian Christians in Wisconsin extends back to the 1880s. It took time for the St. Mesrob parish to come together as such; but when that formally happened in 1922, developments proceeded at a rapid pace. The assignment of a priest in the person of the late Fr. Vartan Tavidian, the purchase of property and the consecration of a church, the birth of numerous organizations—including the Eastern diocese’s first Sunday School program—built a solid foundation for the work of subsequent generations.
Racine’s Centennial Summer is leading up to some special events in the autumn months. A gala dinner-dance will take place on October 8 at the Delta Marriot in Racine. Diocesan Vicar Fr. Simeon Odabashian will travel to Racine to represent our Primate, Fr. Mesrop Parsamyan, who will join the event via video hook-up as he continues his physical rehabilitation following an auto accident.
On Sunday, October 9, Fr. Odabashian will celebrate the Divine Liturgy, and a special reception afterwards will feature a presentation on the stained glass in the church’s sanctuary, delivered by St. Mesrob’s beloved former pastor Fr. Garabed Kochakian.
The yearlong commemoration continues on November 16, when St. Mesrob parishioners and friends, having been at the current church location for nearly 50 years, will return to their original “State Street” sanctuary for an ecumenical vespers service and fellowship.
All are welcome to join the upcoming centennial events. For information, contact stmesrob100@gmail.com, or access the parish website, stmesrobchurch.org.
Click the following link to view photos of Racine’s Centennial Summer.