In 1948, the Congregation for the Oriental Churches, at the request of Cardinal Mooney and confirmed by His Eminence Cardinal Agagianian, appointed Father Hovsep Kalaydjian as Pastor in Detroit, Michigan.
The first six months were a most difficult period to prepare for the founding of a new parish. Father Kalaydjian sought shelter in the Armenian households until he was able to purchase, with the permission of the Archbishop of Detroit, a house and transformed it into a small church, which in later years was named Saint Vartan Armenian Catholic Church. At the same time, Father Kalaydjian organized a ladies guild comprised of Armenian and American ladies. The Guild worked systematically and once a month organized meetings and gatherings for the parish members, thereby raising money to pay the expenses incurred by Father Kalaydjian and the church. Father Kalaydjian, a master in the field of music, started a choir with 20 members. Slowly, he became well known in the area for his choral music compositions and the talented way that his choir grew to more than 40 members. Father Kalaydjian and his choir were asked to organize and perform at concerts for many diverse occasions. As a result, the church gained recognition and attracted the faithful from many other ethnic groups, who came to hear the choir and praise the Lord with the Armenian Catholic community.
Father Kalaydjian worked tirelessly for ten years, visiting parishioners at their homes, conducting parish meetings, managing the choir, contributing articles to local newspapers and Armenian journals like “Hayrenik” and many other activities to bring the community together. By 1957, he recognized the dire need for a new church. He approached Cardinal Mooney for assistance. The Cardinal gave him a piece of land next to the Dominican Sisters School in city. Father Kalaydjian immediately started the construction of St. Vartan Church. This action inspired a new spirit and enthusiasm in the life of the parishioners. The opening ceremony was held in June 1958. The pastoral field was open to parish-related activities, especially catechism classes, and Armenian language studies for both Armenian and non-Armenian kids. St. Vartan became a center of social and spiritual life for the Armenian community in Detroit.
In 1972, the Armenian Catholic Community solemnly celebrated the 25th anniversary of St. Vartan’s Church. At this happy occasion, many donations were made to cover the church’s debt.
In 1975, a large hall was added to the church property. The addition provided a venue for parishioners to gather and celebrate.
Of Father Kalaydjian’s 67 years of vigorous pastoral life, 50 years were spent with full dedication and sacrifices to the Detroit Armenian Catholics pastoral mission. He was deeply respected by all Armenians in Detroit. Renowned Armenian benefactor Mr. Alex Manoukian was one of the most faithful assisting Father Kalaydjian by serving as Deacon at Mass and singing in his choir. In Father Kalaydjian’s later years, Mr. Manoukian was of great assistance to the priest, whom he considered a brother.
1998 was marked by three significant celebrations for Father Kalaydjian—he celebrated
his 90th birthday, the 50th anniversary of the founding of Detroit parish; and the 40th anniversary of St. Vartan Church. One year later Father Hovsep Kalaydjian passed away.
In 1998, Father Antoine Saroyan, a member of the Ardzivian Armenian Catholic Congregation of Bzommar, was appointed Pastor of St. Vartan Church.
Father Saroyan completed his philosophical studies in Rome at the Gregoriana University, then continued his theological studies in Beirut, Lebanon. Soon thereafter, he moved to Germany, where he attended courses taught by Dr. Joseph Ratzinger, today Pope Benedict XVI of the Roman Catholic Church.
Father Antoine Saroyan was the one who organized the triple celebrations of the 50th anniversary of the Detroit parish, the 40th anniversary of the construction of St. Vartan Church, the 90th anniversary of the founding priest Father Hovsep Kalaydjian.
As a result of political and racial strife, in 1960, the Armenians decided that the time had come to continue their activities elsewhere. The existing church remained isolated in a dangerous neighborhhod. Father Saroyan began to officiate dominical services to the Armenian Catholic community in the Southwest region of the city at the Byzantine Church. Father Antoine served the Armenian Catholic Church in Detroit for seven years, and then transferred to Los Angeles, to reside in Glendale, California, at St. Gregory Armenian Catholic Church, which was acquired and extensively renovated through the tireless efforts of Msgr. Raphael Minassian.
In 2005, Father Thomas Garabedian, the Pastor of St. Ann’s Armenian Catholic Cathedral in Manhattan, was appointed pastor of the Armenian Catholic parish in Detroit.
In 2006, Father Thomas successfully negotiated with the Archbishop of Detroit Cardinal Adam Maiden to assign the deed of St. Vartan’s to the Armenian Catholic community. Possession of the deed would allow the Armenians to sell the existing facility and buy another property to build a new St. Vartan Church. At the same time, Father Thomas prepared deacons and cantors to enhance celebration of Armenian Iiturgy. His Excellency Bishop Manuel Batakian ordained the assistants.
In October 2007, Father Thomas was appointed Vice Rector to the Pontifical Armenian College in Rome. Mgr. Andon Atamian former Dean Pastor of Baghdad, Iraq was removed from the war zone and temporarily assumed the open position in Detroit.
In 2008, Mgr. Andon Atamian was appointed Pastor to St. Vartan Armenian Catholic Church in Detroit.
