The Rebuilding of Saint Leon Armenian Church

"Rebuilding" and "reconstruction" are very popular terms in St. Leon Church. Since its inception at the turn of this century, the St. Leon community has been a living example of unselfish dedication to building a strong Armenian Christian community and witnessing to the faith of our fathers. Indeed, the community continues to do its best to make its buildings, programs and facilities compatible to the contemporary needs of its faithful members.

During the 1988 Annual Parish Assembly, the St. Leon community approved of a new phase of construction which would expand the sanctuary and school facilities of the Parish. Because of the terrible earthquake in Armenia during the winter of 1988, the Church had to stop the building project to direct all the available parish funds to help our devastated brothers and sisters in Armenia. In 1995, the Parish Assembly reviewed the previously approved expansion plans, and assigned a committee to execute it. The project was spearheaded by two dedicated leaders of the community, Sarkis Gabrellian and Sarkis Soultanian, as the cochairmen of the building project. The two cochairmen, with their enthusiastic building committee, began their meetings immediately following the Parish Assembly to discuss and approve the plans for building. Construction began within a few months after the Assembly.

The 1995-1996 reconstruction of St. Leon Armenian Church is a milestone in our Parish history. With it's modification from a simple building, the architectural form and the sanctuary character has been transformed to a more traditional Armenian Church thirty years after the original construction. Thomas Ashbahian, professional architect, longtime St. Leon Parishioner and student of ancient Armenian church architecture, provided the plans for this construction. Expansion of the sanctuary with apses to either side has created a cruciform plan and added substantial volume to interior space. The apses and increased floor area at the entry of the sanctuary allow for new pews accommodating approximately 68 new seats. The structure of the apses has also raised the roof lines in the center of the sanctuary and provided for the mounting of a 20 foot wide, 12-sided dome, rising 45 feet above the pews. Windows in each face of the dome flood the sanctuary with natural light never before seen in the center of the worship area. Additional graceful arched and circular windows have been added to compliment existing stained glass. The Narthex addition accommodates a larger Parish Council Room, a cry room, an elevator, and increased area for parishioners to prepare for their entry into the sanctuary. The Narthex is also crowned with a small dome allowing for substantial light to enter. The three exterior walls of the Narthex are tastefully penetrated by large arched topped windows. New 8 foot high mahogany exterior doors are mounted at the entrance below the original stained glass entry window. The chancel area has been expanded to accommodate the growing number of altar servers, choir members and visiting clergy. A new chancel rail, chandelier and candle stations adorn the interior. The exterior of the entire church has been completely reconstructed in new brick, precast stone, metal and stucco materials.

The color combinations, materials, shape and proportions evoke the appearance of churches in Armenia constructed over 1200 years ago. Careful architectural articulation of the additions and the original building has resulted in an integrated design, which belies the Church building's modest beginnings. New Armenian crosses sit atop each dome. Due to a major gas explosion in the lower level of the Church building, the Sunday School and Armenian School facility has been remodeled and expanded as part of the overall building effort. New walls, ceilings, doors and flooring prepare the classroom facility for many years to come as the heart of our education programs. Unseen but vitally important, are new energy efficient boiler and air-conditioning systems. Additionally, all washrooms have been gutted and rebuilt. Two of the rooms now contain baby changing stations for the growing population of young families.

Reconstruction took place over one year commencing in the fall of 1995 and was completed with a minimum of disruption to Parish Life. The sanctuary, and access to it, was maintained throughout construction. In true St. Leon fashion, all parishioners participated in this uplifting effort through their hard work, patience, and quiet belief in constant betterment of their Parish and ultimately in the Glory of God. On Sunday, November 17, 1996, His Eminence Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church, presided over the morning services, celebrated the Divine Liturgy and consecrated the newly renovated and added sections of the Church according to the tradition of the Armenian Orthodox Church.

"O Heavenly King, keep your Church unshaken. And the worshippers of your name, preserve in peace." (Armenian Hymn)