St. Stepanos Armenian Church has been an active parish since 1956. In 1956, St. Mary Armenian Church was established on the present-day grounds of St. Stepanos Armenian Church. The church property consisted of a stately Elberon home which had been purchased by benefactors and converted into a church. The church served the spiritual needs of local residents and experienced larger gatherings in the summer with the addition of shore vacationers. By the 1980’s, the local community outgrew the aged church building which was no longer a viable house of worship. Addressing the needs of the community, Mr. and Mrs. Kevork and Sirvart Hovnanian decided to underwrite the construction of a new church complex, consisting of a sanctuary, parish hall, and school.
In 1987, the new church was consecrated as St. Stepanos Armenian Church. The new church is known for its unique Armenian architecture and brilliant gold dome.
The major benefactors include Dadour Dadourian, Artin Aslanian, Poozant Piranian, and Mr. and Mrs. Kevork Hovnanian.
See more details of the history.
Pastors, past and present:
| Visiting priests, 1956-72 | |
| Rev. Fr. Vertanes Kalayjian, 1972-1976 | |
| Rev. Fr. Avak Assadourian, 1977-1979 | |
| Rev. Fr. Guregh Kalfayan, 1980-1982 | |
| V. Rev. Fr. Haigazoun Najarian, 1987-1990 | |
| Rev. Fr. Yeghia Hairabedian, 1990-1992 | |
| Rev. Fr. Diran Bohajian, 1992-1999 | |
| V. Rev. Fr. Mamigon Kiledjian, 2000-2012
Rev. Fr. Daniel Karadjian, 2013 |
Important Historic Events:
| Visitation of His Holiness Catholicos Vazken 1 in 1987 | |
| Ordination of Father Diran to sacred priesthood on January 17, 1993 | |
| Celebration of 10th Anniversary, with His Beatitude Archbishop Torkom Manoogian, Patriarch of Jerusalem, attending the festivities on June 14 and 15, 1997
On the weekend of Aug 26 & 27, 2017, the St. Stepanos Armenian Church celebrated the 30th Anniversary of its consecration while also celebrating its 60th year as an organized parish of the Diocese. |