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Immediately following the arrival of Father Shirikian, Archbishop Hrant Khatchadourian, the Prelate of America, on a special mission, presided over a new committee for building the church, which was formed with Father Shirikian, President; Krikor Krouzian, Chairman; Sarkis Sarkisian, Secretary; Suren Saroyan, Treasurer; Carl Zekarian and Violet Goliti as Advisors.

On April 19, 1964, the ground blessing services were performed by Prelate, Archbishop Hrant Khatchadourian. On the same afternoon we held a banquet where the mortgage was ceremoniously burned for the purchase of 51 Commonwealth Avenue, and additional monies were raised toward the new church building fund.

Pictured to the Right: GROUND BLESSING HIS EMINENCE ARCHBISHOP HRANT KHATCHADOURIAN, PRELATE OF THE ARMENIAN APOSTOLIC CHURCH OF AMERICA
The building Committee instituted an immediate search for an architect, interviewing several firms. They decided to hire the architectural firm of Mr. Francis Constable. Mr. Tigran Kirakossian, who was a well known authority on authentic Armenian Church architecture, prepared the architectural design of our church and became a consultant to Mr. Constable. Upon completion of the plans, three companies were invited to bid on the construction. At the April 18, 1965 general membership meeting, the building committee was authorized to spend up to $205,000 on the construction of a new church. The construction contract was awarded to the Roger Deal Company, and construction began the latter part of August 1965.

The Building Committee negotiated the financing with Wells Fargo Band, and was able to secure a $165,000 loan payable over 15 years with 6% interest. The Board of Trustees and the Building Committee began planning for the blessing ceremony of the foundation of the church. On Sunday August 15, 1965, on the day of the Holy Mother "Astvadzadzeen", the foundation and grape blessing ceremonies took place. His Eminence, Archbishop Hrant Khatchadourian, Prelate of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America, presided over the ceremonies. Assisting him was Father Shirikian, with deacons and the choir. A banquet followed the ceremony at the Furniture Mart where enthusiastic members contributed generously, and over $30,000 was raised.