About Us

About Us

About St. Andrew Armenian APOSTOLIC Church

The first monthly prayer services in Cupertino commenced in 1960 conducted by Rev. Fr. Shahe Altounian in the hospitality room of St. Jose Bank. Soon after the Primate of the Western Diocese, Bishop Papken Varjabedian, appointed an interim Parish Council and a Ladies’ Society. On January 29, 1961 the Primate celebrated the first Divine Liturgy of the community followed by a banquet.

The first permanent Ladies’ Society was established in 1963. Throughout this period monthly church services were conducted by visiting priests.

On Saturday, March 21, 1964 the Primate, Bishop Torkom Manoogian, presided over the first Parish Assembly during which thirty-five members of the community enrolled as Charter members of the Armenian Apostolic Church of Santa Clara Valley.

Church services continued on a monthly basis at several Episcopal churches until July 15, 1973 when a special Parish Assembly was called presided by Archbishop Vatche Hovsepian, which voted to purchase the property on Stelling Road.

In 1984 the name of the church was officially changed to St. Andrew Armenian Church and in 1988 the original building was demolished and work began on the new edifice, overseen by the Building Committee comprised of Ace Paul, Mike Kuzirian, Aram Henesian, Andy Kapjian and Tony Ayvazian.

On May 16 and 17, 1992 St. Andrew Armenian Church was formally consecrated by Archbishop Vatche Hovsepian.

From 1975 to 1977 Very Rev. Fr. Samuel Agoyan served as the first permanent Parish Priest of Cupertino. Very Rev. Fr. Sipan Mekhsian served 1978-1982, followed by the newly ordained Rev. Fr. Vazken Movsesian. In 1996 Rev. Fr. Hovsep Hagopian served as Pastor.

Rev. Fr. Datev Harutyunian arrived in 2000 and was officially installed as Parish Priest.