The St. Sarkis Armenian Church Community
The Armenians of the St. Sarkis Church, DFW
Armenians continue to uphold strong cultural, religious, and historical customs and traditions. The St. Sarkis Armenian Church and its parish are an example of such an active Armenian community.
In the late 70s and early 80s, a wave of immigrant families had begun settling in the Dallas area. They wanted a place to gather, socialize, worship and preserve their heritage. With generous donations and the support of already established families, notably the godfather of the church Dr. Sarkis Kechejian, the community finally had a sanctuary consecrated by the Primate in 1991 as the St. Sarkis Armenian Church. An energized community planned their future by creating a place for their children to learn their ancestral heritage and practice the Armenian Christian faith, culture and language.
St. Sarkis is now the gathering center for Armenian families of North Texas and parts of Oklahoma. A dynamic young priest and his family, an active Youth Group, an energetic Women’s Guild, a combined school to serve the Armenian Language and faith, a Church Choir, a Seniors’ Group, and a successful annual ArmeniaFest complete the picture of our vibrant community.
The Consecration of the new St. Sarkis
The St. Sarkis community was blessed with the generous donation of a 4.5 acre land by the Elie and Ella Akilian family, on which a magnificent complex of a church, banquet hall, school, a soccer field and a gym were built. For many years the community held fundraising activities with the support of our Godfathers of the church, Dr. Sarkis Kechejian, Sam Simonian, Elie Akilian and Manas Sherenian to supplement the generous donations of Mr. and Mrs. Elie and Ella Akilian. On the exciting completion of the church, it was consecrated on April 23, 2022 in the presence of numerous luminaries from the religious, political and cultural communities and blessed by His Grace Primate Bishop Daniel. This complex has strengthened our resolve to maintain a sustainable model for our next generations complete with community activities, classrooms and cultural presentations.
Come and see us in Carrollton!
The new St. Sarkis church property on Charles Street is now officially part of the City of Carrollton. Our church has had a long history of a great relationship and cooperation with the City of Carrollton for over 25 years, when we first established our Random Road home. We are thrilled that we are going to remain permanently in Carrollton, energizing this great city and being inspired by it. Our ArmeniaFest is already one of the prominent cultural activities here. We are looking forward to growing in Christ, community and culture in our beloved Carrollton.
Read all about the St. Sarkis Armenian Church
Saint Sarkis Armenian Church honors victims of Armenian genocide (fastcompany.com)
Saint Sarkis Armenian Church - US Building of the Week (world-architects.com)
New St. Sarkis Armenian Church in Carrollton, Texas Memorializes 1,400-Year-Old Armenian Sanctuary – Asbarez.com
St. Sarkis Armenian Church Consecrated in Dallas - The Armenian Mirror-Spectator (mirrorspectator.com)
Architect David Hotson Reinterprets Classical Armenian Church Design in Texas - The Armenian Mirror-Spectator (mirrorspectator.com)
Carrollton church sanctified the day before international Armenian Diaspora | Carrollton Leader | starlocalmedia.com
Armenians continue to uphold strong cultural, religious, and historical customs and traditions. The St. Sarkis Armenian Church and its parish are an example of such an active Armenian community.
In the late 70s and early 80s, a wave of immigrant families had begun settling in the Dallas area. They wanted a place to gather, socialize, worship and preserve their heritage. With generous donations and the support of already established families, notably the godfather of the church Dr. Sarkis Kechejian, the community finally had a sanctuary consecrated by the Primate in 1991 as the St. Sarkis Armenian Church. An energized community planned their future by creating a place for their children to learn their ancestral heritage and practice the Armenian Christian faith, culture and language.
St. Sarkis is now the gathering center for Armenian families of North Texas and parts of Oklahoma. A dynamic young priest and his family, an active Youth Group, an energetic Women’s Guild, a combined school to serve the Armenian Language and faith, a Church Choir, a Seniors’ Group, and a successful annual ArmeniaFest complete the picture of our vibrant community.
The Consecration of the new St. Sarkis
The St. Sarkis community was blessed with the generous donation of a 4.5 acre land by the Elie and Ella Akilian family, on which a magnificent complex of a church, banquet hall, school, a soccer field and a gym were built. For many years the community held fundraising activities with the support of our Godfathers of the church, Dr. Sarkis Kechejian, Sam Simonian, Elie Akilian and Manas Sherenian to supplement the generous donations of Mr. and Mrs. Elie and Ella Akilian. On the exciting completion of the church, it was consecrated on April 23, 2022 in the presence of numerous luminaries from the religious, political and cultural communities and blessed by His Grace Primate Bishop Daniel. This complex has strengthened our resolve to maintain a sustainable model for our next generations complete with community activities, classrooms and cultural presentations.
Come and see us in Carrollton!
The new St. Sarkis church property on Charles Street is now officially part of the City of Carrollton. Our church has had a long history of a great relationship and cooperation with the City of Carrollton for over 25 years, when we first established our Random Road home. We are thrilled that we are going to remain permanently in Carrollton, energizing this great city and being inspired by it. Our ArmeniaFest is already one of the prominent cultural activities here. We are looking forward to growing in Christ, community and culture in our beloved Carrollton.
Read all about the St. Sarkis Armenian Church
Saint Sarkis Armenian Church honors victims of Armenian genocide (fastcompany.com)
Saint Sarkis Armenian Church - US Building of the Week (world-architects.com)
New St. Sarkis Armenian Church in Carrollton, Texas Memorializes 1,400-Year-Old Armenian Sanctuary – Asbarez.com
St. Sarkis Armenian Church Consecrated in Dallas - The Armenian Mirror-Spectator (mirrorspectator.com)
Architect David Hotson Reinterprets Classical Armenian Church Design in Texas - The Armenian Mirror-Spectator (mirrorspectator.com)
Carrollton church sanctified the day before international Armenian Diaspora | Carrollton Leader | starlocalmedia.com
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Consecration of St. Sarkis Armenian Church - April 23, 2022
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Celebrating Armenian Culture
Boghos Kirazian - Founder, ArmeniaFest
It's no coincidence. It does not just happen that we have ArmeniaFest in Dallas. For several years this community became the fusion of Armenians arriving from different parts of the United States, and the world. Looking for a place to call home. In the eighties we gathered in temporary rental halls and loaner churches. Taking every opportunity to celebrate our culture at the Dallas International Festival or bringing dance troupes from Armenia to connect with our heritage.
In 1991, we built our church - the St. Sarkis - and within a short few years a cultural hall. Now it was time that we had our own showcase. An event that all community members could be part of - young and old, talented or not, Armenian and non-Armenian, parishioners and non-parishioners - to enjoy and be proud members of the extended community of Armenian-Americans growing up in north Texas. We were forming our family.
ArmeniaFest started with a simple premise: "Armenian-Americans have a rich and ancient heritage that they want to share with their wider circle of friends and neighbors in north Texas." We posted this quote in our first black and white brochure in 1996 and that's the start of our history.
This is the annual banquet where we invite everyone to join our "family table." The food is delicious, the dances are fun, and it's an opportunity to tell you our stories and share our culture. It's where we meet and make new friends, and our extended family grows larger by the year.
We are proud to call ArmeniaFest a family gathering. This is when all of our community volunteers join hands to display what's best in our heritage and provide an opportunity for young members to connect with their roots. As I told a reporter many years ago, "It's like finding the heirlooms that your grandparents left you and showing off to your friends and neighbors." With the persistence and dedication of our young adults, and wonder and passion of our children, we hope that this annual family reunion will continue for generations.
Armenian traditional folk tales always have this beautiful ending: "Three apples fell from heaven... one for the teller, one for the listener, and one for all the peoples of the world." Come and hear our stories, they are in our music and in our dances. We are sure you will enjoy this annual celebration with our family. We love to share an "apple" with you.
Boghos Kirazian - Founder, ArmeniaFest
It's no coincidence. It does not just happen that we have ArmeniaFest in Dallas. For several years this community became the fusion of Armenians arriving from different parts of the United States, and the world. Looking for a place to call home. In the eighties we gathered in temporary rental halls and loaner churches. Taking every opportunity to celebrate our culture at the Dallas International Festival or bringing dance troupes from Armenia to connect with our heritage.
In 1991, we built our church - the St. Sarkis - and within a short few years a cultural hall. Now it was time that we had our own showcase. An event that all community members could be part of - young and old, talented or not, Armenian and non-Armenian, parishioners and non-parishioners - to enjoy and be proud members of the extended community of Armenian-Americans growing up in north Texas. We were forming our family.
ArmeniaFest started with a simple premise: "Armenian-Americans have a rich and ancient heritage that they want to share with their wider circle of friends and neighbors in north Texas." We posted this quote in our first black and white brochure in 1996 and that's the start of our history.
This is the annual banquet where we invite everyone to join our "family table." The food is delicious, the dances are fun, and it's an opportunity to tell you our stories and share our culture. It's where we meet and make new friends, and our extended family grows larger by the year.
We are proud to call ArmeniaFest a family gathering. This is when all of our community volunteers join hands to display what's best in our heritage and provide an opportunity for young members to connect with their roots. As I told a reporter many years ago, "It's like finding the heirlooms that your grandparents left you and showing off to your friends and neighbors." With the persistence and dedication of our young adults, and wonder and passion of our children, we hope that this annual family reunion will continue for generations.
Armenian traditional folk tales always have this beautiful ending: "Three apples fell from heaven... one for the teller, one for the listener, and one for all the peoples of the world." Come and hear our stories, they are in our music and in our dances. We are sure you will enjoy this annual celebration with our family. We love to share an "apple" with you.
