Our History

The Holy Trinity Armenian Church of Toronto has been serving the community since 1928 providing services in spiritual, humanitarian, educational, cultural and social aspects.

Our Journey Through Time

Black and white historic group photo of boys and men on steps, with banners reading 'CANADA, WE THANK YOU.' and 'ARMENIAN BOYS FARM GEORGETOWN.'

Large black and white group photo of men, women, and children dressed in early 20th-century attire, seated and standing outdoors on grass with trees in the background.

Black and white photo of the first parish council of Holy Trinity Armenian Church, showing six seated members and five standing members dressed formally.

Black and white portraits of founding members of Holy Trinity Armenian Church: Levon Babayan, Perouz Babayan, and Garabed Benlian.

Black and white photo of a large group of children and adults posing in front of a YMCA brick building with an arched entrance.

Black and white group photo of a large group of school children and adults posing outside a brick building with a large arched wooden door.

1928

The First Liturgies in Toronto

As early as 1928, a handful of Armenians held a few yearly Divine Liturgies at the St. Stephan’s Anglican Church. Then, during the years extending between 1930 and 1953, Divine Liturgies were offered at Holy Trinity Anglican Church. The founding members of this parish were Levon Babayan, Perouz Babayan and Garabed Benlian.

1953

First Church Established on Woodlawn Avenue

With the dedication of about 200 Armenians in Toronto, a new church was built on Woodlawn Avenue at Yonge Street and named Holy Trinity Armenian Church, in gratitude to the Anglican parish that had hosted the community for many years. The church was consecrated on December 6, 1953, by Archbishop Tiran Nersoyan, Primate of the Eastern Diocese of America.

In 1960, His Holiness Vasken I, Catholicos of All Armenians, of Blessed Memory, made his inaugural visit to the parish. The following year, in 1961, the church welcomed its first permanent pastor, Very Rev. Fr. Jirayr Tashjian.

Two women posing next to a sign reading 'Holy Trinity Armenian Church 1953' mounted on a brick wall.

Black and white photo of Holy Trinity Armenian Church with stained glass windows and two parked cars in front.

Black and white photo of a church choir with young boys and girls dressed in robes standing behind a seated priest in ceremonial robes and a crown inside a church.

Black and white photo of a group of eight people smiling and chatting around a table with food and drinks in an indoor setting.

Black and white photo of ten women standing behind a table displaying multiple intricately embroidered religious vestments.

Black and white photo of a mixed-age audience seated in rows, attentively watching something out of frame in an indoor setting.

Black and white group photo of students and teachers posed in rows in front of a curtain, dated 1968 with handwritten notes.

Black and white photo of a group of children and two adults, some in traditional costumes, posing on stage with a curtain backdrop; one adult is seated holding a musical instrument.

A priest washes the feet of a boy sitting on a chair during a religious ceremony with other altar boys and worshippers present.

Four construction workers wearing helmets working on the roof of a building with a large cross at the top.

Person in a gray coat and black hat installing or maintaining black letters on a gray stone building facade using an orange hydraulic lift.

Construction site sign for the new Holy Trinity Armenian Church with details of project management, engineering, and architects.

Concrete structure of a multi-level building under construction with scaffolding and construction materials around.

Four men in business attire standing in front of a construction site with a partially built concrete structure.

Crowd gathered outdoors for a ceremonial event with religious leaders in ornate robes and a man holding a shovel on grass.

1987

Current Church Consecrated

By the late 1970s, Toronto’s growing Armenian community recognized the need for a larger church. A new Holy Trinity Armenian Church was planned in Scarborough to meet the community’s spiritual and national needs.

Groundbreaking took place on August 28, 1986, led by Patriarch Shnork Kaloustian and Archbishop Vazken Keshishian. The church was completed in November 1987, thanks to the leadership of Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, then Pastor, and the dedication of the Armenian community. The consecration was performed on November 15, 1987, by His Holiness Vazken I, Catholicos of All Armenians.

Designed by architect Takvor Hopyan, the church blends old and new styles, inspired by St. Hripsime Cathedral in Etchmiadzin. The altar and stained-glass windows from the original Woodlawn church were lovingly preserved in the new sanctuary.

1996 to Present

A Period of Growth, Leadership, and Blessings

Since 1996, the parish has been blessed with its devoted and compassionate spiritual leader, Rev. Archpriest Fr. Zareh Zargarian.

The church was honoured by the visits of His Holiness Karekin I, Catholicos of All Armenians, of Blessed Memory, in 1996, and His Holiness Karekin II in 2001. Among the parish’s many milestones, the completion of the four-level Babayan Elevator in 2006 stands out as a major achievement.

From its humble beginnings in 1928, Holy Trinity has grown into a vibrant and active parish, flourishing under the leadership of Fr. Zargarian and the Parish Council.