About Our Lady Queen of Martyrs [Armenian] · Los Angeles, California
Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Armenian Catholic Church, located at 1327 Pleasant Avenue in the Boyle Heights neighborhood of Los Angeles, is the oldest Armenian Catholic parish in California, officially dedicated on April 29, 1956. It belongs to the Armenian Catholic Eparchy of Our Lady of Nareg (based in Glendale) and worships according to the Armenian Rite. The parish serves the historic Armenian Catholic community of greater Los Angeles with Sunday Divine Liturgy, faith formation for children, choir, the Ladies Guild, and parish council ministries, and is currently led by Father Armenag Bedrossian, who was appointed pastor in 2013. In August 2025 the church suffered a serious fire that damaged the sacristy and area around the altar, but the parish continues to worship and gather in its parish hall as it rebuilds.
- Established
- 1956
- Patron
- Our Lady Queen of Martyrs (the Blessed Virgin Mary under the title Queen of Martyrs)
- Rector
- Father Armenag Bedrossian
- Diocese
- Armenian Catholic Eparchy of Our Lady of Nareg in the United States of America and Canada (based in Glendale, CA); geographically located within the territory of the Roman Metropolitan Archdiocese of Los Angeles
Why belong here
Our Lady Queen of Martyrs offers the chance to worship in the Armenian Rite at the oldest Armenian Catholic parish in California, a community with roots stretching back to post-WWII immigrants from Europe, the Middle East, and Soviet Armenia. Parishioners can join the longstanding Ladies Guild, sing in the revived choir, enroll their children in religious education, attend an English-language Sunday Mass, and take part in monthly parish dinners and ongoing cultural outreach. Today, under Father Armenag Bedrossian's leadership, the parish is also actively rebuilding its historic Boyle Heights church after the August 2025 fire—an opportunity for new members to become part of a tight-knit, resilient community rooted in prayer, Armenian Catholic tradition, and service.
Mass times at Our Lady Queen of Martyrs [Armenian]
Weekly Mass schedule
History of Our Lady Queen of Martyrs
Our Lady Queen of Martyrs is the oldest Armenian Catholic parish in California. Its story begins after World War II, when Mekhitarist Father Michael Akian, having served displaced Armenians in Stuttgart and Vienna, traveled with his flock to California. With the backing of Cardinal James McIntyre, an existing church near Downtown Los Angeles was granted for Armenian Catholic use, and on April 29, 1956 it was dedicated as Our Lady Queen of Martyrs—the first Armenian Catholic church in California. The community grew rapidly as new immigrants arrived from Soviet Armenia, the Middle East, and Romania, and a Ladies Guild was soon founded to support parish life.
- Founded 1951; dedicated April 29, 1956.
- First Armenian Catholic church in California.
- Established with the support of Cardinal James McIntyre.
- 1951 visit of Patriarch Gregory Cardinal Agagianian.
- 1988 humanitarian aid sent after the Armenian earthquake.
- 1991 visit of Patriarch John-Peter XVIII Kasparian.
Parish Clergy and Pastoral Succession
The parish has been served by a series of Armenian Catholic and Mekhitarist priests since 1951. Father Michael Akian founded the community and led its dedication; he was followed by Father Clement Morian, then returned for a second tenure from 1976 to 1987. Father Mesrob Topalian, Father Raphael Minassian, and longtime assistant Father Anton Panossian each shaped the parish in turn, with Father Raphael spearheading the sister church in Glendale. Father Armenag Bedrossian has served as pastor since 2013 and has led the parish's modern revival.
- Father Michael Akian, M.O.C. — 1951–1964, 1976–1987 (founding pastor)
- Father Clement Morian — from 1964
- Father Basil Ferhatian and Father Gregory Heboyan — assistants during Akian's second tenure
- Father Mesrob Topalian — from 1987
- Father Raphael Minassian — from 1991 (led Glendale project)
- Father Anton Panossian — assistant pastor, 2001–2013
- Father Armenag Bedrossian — pastor since 2013
Worship, Liturgy, and Sacraments
The parish celebrates the Armenian Rite, with Sunday Divine Liturgy offered weekly at 11:00 AM. Under Father Armenag the parish has also offered an English-language Mass for those not fluent in Armenian. The parish walks families through every major Armenian Catholic sacrament, from the 40-day Karasoonk blessing of mother and newborn through Baptism, First Communion, weddings, and funerals, and offers confession by appointment.
- Sunday Divine Liturgy — 11:00 AM (Armenian, with English elements).
- Karasoonk — 40-Day Infant Blessing.
- Baptism (infant and adult).
- First Communion preparation for children.
- Confession by appointment.
- Weddings and funerals coordinated through the parish office.
Parish Ministries and Community Life
Parish life at Our Lady Queen of Martyrs centers on a network of ministries that span worship, education, culture, and fellowship. The Ladies Guild, founded alongside the parish, remains its financial and moral backbone and has launched a cookbook fundraiser. The Parish Council, Choir, and Children's Religious Education programs have all been re-energized under the current pastor, while the Armenian Catholic Youth Organization (ACYO), the Daniel Varoujan Cultural Society, and the Avedaper newsletter connect parishioners of every age.
- Ladies Guild (with active cookbook fundraiser)
- Parish Council
- Parish Choir (revitalized)
- Children's Religious Education (reintroduced)
- Armenian Catholic Youth Organization (ACYO)
- Daniel Varoujan Cultural Society
- Avedaper newsletter
- Monthly parish dinners
The 2025 Church Fire and Rebuilding
On Sunday, August 24, 2025, a fire broke out at the historic church on Pleasant Avenue, consuming the sacristy and causing serious damage around the Altar and within the worship space. Parishioners and friends took heart that the Altar itself was reported unharmed. In a letter signed by Father Armenag and quoted on the parish's website, he wrote: 'Although our sacred space has been wounded, our mission and faith remain unbroken. … We will rebuild our church, brick by brick, with prayer, love and unity.' Sunday services continue without interruption in the parish Hall, and a Church Restoration Gala was announced for early February to help fund the rebuild.
- Fire on Sunday, August 24, 2025 destroyed the sacristy and damaged the altar area.
- The Altar itself was reported to have stood unharmed.
- Sunday services continue in the parish Hall.
- A Church Restoration Gala was announced for February 1.
- Ladies Guild launched a two-part cookbook fundraiser in support of the parish.
Our Lady of Nareg and the Wider Armenian Catholic Community
Our Lady Queen of Martyrs belongs to the Armenian Catholic Eparchy of Our Lady of Nareg, which was created by Pope John Paul II in 1981 as the Apostolic Exarchate for Armenian Catholics in the United States and Canada and elevated to an eparchy in 2005. Its seat, St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Catholic Cathedral, has been in Glendale, California since 2013, and is currently led by Bishop Mikael Mouradian. Geographically the parish sits within the territory of the Roman Metropolitan Archdiocese of Los Angeles, and the Los Angeles region is home to more than 200,000 Armenians—the largest community in the Armenian diaspora.
- Eparchy established 1981; elevated to eparchy 2005.
- Seat at St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral, Glendale, CA.
- Bishop Mikael Mouradian, named 2011 by Pope Benedict XVI.
- Geographically within the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.
- Greater Los Angeles is home to more than 200,000 Armenians.
Visiting and Getting Involved
Visitors are warmly welcomed at Our Lady Queen of Martyrs, where Sunday Divine Liturgy begins at 11:00 AM and English-speaking newcomers can attend the parish's English-language Mass. The parish office can be reached at (323) 261-9898, and updates on rebuilding, fundraisers, and events are posted on the parish website. Newcomers are invited to get involved in the Ladies Guild, Choir, Parish Council, ACYO, or children's religious education programs.
- Address: 1327 Pleasant Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90033 (Boyle Heights).
- Telephone: (323) 261-9898.
- Sunday Liturgy: 11:00 AM.
- Ways to get involved: Ladies Guild, Choir, Parish Council, ACYO, children's religious education, monthly dinners.
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Michael Akian, M.O.C.1951–1964
Mekhitarist priest sent from Vienna; established the parish and led its dedication as the first Armenian Catholic church in California on April 29, 1956.
- Father Clement Morian1964–c.1976
Succeeded Father Akian when he was recalled to Vienna; led expansion as new immigrants arrived from Soviet Armenia, the Middle East, and Romania.
- Father Michael Akian, M.O.C.1976–1987
Returned as pastor; assisted by Fathers Basil Ferhatian and Gregory Heboyan. This era coincided with Pope John Paul II's 1981 establishment of the Apostolic Exarchate.
- Father Mesrob Topalian1987–c.1991
Succeeded Father Akian; oversaw launch of ACYO, Daniel Varoujan Cultural Society, and the Avedaper newsletter. Parish sent aid after the 1988 Armenian earthquake.
- Father Raphael Minassian1991–
Spearheaded development of the new Armenian-style church in Glendale, completed 2001 and consecrated by Bishop Manuel Batakian.
- Father Anton Panossian2001–2013
Served as assistant pastor from 2001 until his retirement in 2013.
- Father Armenag Bedrossian2013–present
Current pastor; led church renovations, revived the Parish Council, choir, children's religious education, community dinners, and an English-language Sunday Mass.