| In 1955, after a long and arduous search, the Building Committee submitted four sites for consideration: (1) Jackson and Laguna Streets (2) 14th Avenue and Balboa St. (3) 19th Avenue and Judah St. (4) 51 Commonwealth Avenue. |
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| In the interim, and with great difficulties, arrangements were made with the American Episcopalian, Greek, Syrian and Yugoslav churches in which to celebrate our church services. It is with a deep sense of gratitude that we recall the leadership and kind assistance given to us in those trying days by the Board of Trustees, and the priests who conducted the church services from various Armenian church communities, includeing Father Yeghishe Mkitraian from Fresno, Father Ashod Minassian from Los Angeles, Father Kourken Koudoukian from Los Angeles, and Father Papken Kasparian from Fresno. These priests came alternately every month to celebrate the Divine Liturgy in one of the above mentioned churches. |
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| The need for our own church property reached a crucial point. After an extensive research and study by the Building Committee and Board of Trustees, their findings were presented to the general membership meeting ant it was suggested that 51 Commonwealth Avenue would be best suited for St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Apostolic Church in San Francisco. |
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THE ORIGINAL PROPERTY AT 51 COMMONWEALTH AVENUE
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| In 1956, the membership meeting approved the purchase of the Commonwealth property for $67,500. The building already had a large library that could accommodate 120 people, a kitchen, and a number of other rooms that could house all the sister organizations and a few classrooms. |
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| The Board of Trustees decided to temporarily convert the library into a church. Father Vahrich Shirinian was invited to assume the responsibilities of permanent pastor. He moved to San Francisco with his family in June of 1957. His first Divine Liturgy was celebrated in the temporary quarters of the building on June 9, 1957. Father Vahrich and other parishioners took it upon themselves to transform the library into a chapel and on November 24, 1957, the first service was celebrated in the "church". |
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