Women's Guild

Women's Guild Members

2007

	Mary Ann Tutunjian, Chairman
	Nazeni Nakashian, Vice-Chairman
	Arpie Nakashian McQueen, Secretary/Treasurer
	Zaeouhi Otchy, Treasurer
	Marie Haytaian, Corresponding Secretary

History of our Women's Guild

A small group of Armenian men and women in the Monmouth County area felt the need for an Armenian Church at the Shore. With enthusiasm and drive, a “need” became a reality in 1954 when a property was purchased at 1184 Ocean Avenue, Elberon, NJ consisting of a three story house and detached building; soon to be called St. Mary Armenian Apostolic Church.

Although not officially organized, this was the beginning of a Women’s Guild in our small Armenian Church. Usually during these early years, the women met along with the men, in most cases their husbands, to organize, plan, raise money, etc. in establishing a functional church from this newly purchased “run down” property and buildings in need of great repair and renovation. The women played an important role led by four very important early pioneers, Serpouhi Nargiz, Elsie Kazanjian, Shoushan Hekimian and Mary Bahadurian. Undergoing major renovations to convert the old house into a Church, and, “clean up” of a much overgrown property was a challenge in itself that a small group of volunteer men and women took upon themselves.

In 1968, the Women decided it was now time to form an official Women’s Guild for St. Mary, and, Mrs. Yeran Mamourian became the first Women’s Guild Chairman, 1986-1970. A surge of fund raisers followed including: Shish Kebab Picnics, Chicken Dinners every Sunday after Services, and yearly plays by a drama group organized within the guild.

It was on Sunday, January 19, 1986 that Mr. Kevork Hovnanian unveiled to the congregation a scale model and fully completed drawings for a new church structure and parish hall to replace the rapidly deteriorating condition of the old structure of St. Mary Church now having been in use for about 30 years. The old church would be torn down and the new church built at the same site. Mrs. Virginia Dedeian was chairman of the Women’s Guild at that time and led the Guild capably through yet another chapter of Church history. 

Through the years, the Women’s Guild has had 14 very capable chairmen: Jenev Chakamian, Virginia Dedeian, Araxy Gokberk, Mary Gorra, Ann Hagopian, Maral Karakashian, Serpouhi Karakashian, Dido Krikorian, Yeran Mamourian, Marion Manigian, Seranoush Najarian, Dorothy Otchy, Mary Ann Tutunjian and Vartanoush Zadikian. Mrs. Araxy Gokberk has been chairman the longest, now serving her 10th year in this capacity.

With each passing year the members of our Women’s Guild have tried to better meet the purposes of the Guild as stated in their by laws. Guild dues are $10.00 a year. They meet the 2nd Tuesday of each month, meeting in the Church hall at 11:30 A.M. bringing a brown bag lunch (dessert & coffee are available). They are proud to announce that they now have 62 members and always welcome and encourage guests and new members to their meetings. The Guild does not meet during the two summer months of July and August. The meetings can be a fun time basically with socializing, interesting programs, planning fund raisers and other activities, and, just being involved in helping in the progress of our faith!