St. Paul Armenian Apostolic Church Marks 60th Anniversary
The Waukegan parish celebrates six decades of service with a special liturgy and upcoming city recognition.
Updated on Oct. 24, 2026 in Civic
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St. Paul Armenian Apostolic Church in Waukegan recently celebrated its 60th anniversary with a weekend of commemorative events. The milestone was marked by a Divine Liturgy and a special Requiem service.
Why it matters
The celebration honors the parishs long-standing effort to provide a dedicated home for the local Armenian community. It highlights the churchs role as a long-term cultural and religious anchor in Waukegan.
The church currently oversees a mailing list of 75 members, a significant evolution from its origin on a double-wide lot in the 600-block of South Lewis Avenue. Archpriest Daron Stepanian has served as the pastor for the past 15 years.
The players
St. Paul Armenian Apostolic Church
This religious organization provides a dedicated parish for the Armenian community in Waukegan.
Daron Stepanian
He is the archpriest who has served as the pastor of St. Paul Armenian Apostolic Church for the last 15 years.
Waukegan City Council
This local government body governs the city of Waukegan and manages formal civic recognitions.
The details
The parish, which formerly conducted services in a side chapel of the Christ Episcopal Church, saw its own building consecrated in November 1966 after construction began in 1965. The recent anniversary was commemorated with a dinner and services for the local congregation.
Timeline
Construction of the church building started in the summer of 1965.
The church structure was officially consecrated in November 1966.
A Divine Liturgy and Requiem service were held on October 18, 2026.
The Waukegan City Council will present a formal proclamation on November 2, 2026.
Industry Dynamics
The church anniversary celebration follows the historical pattern of community preservation established during the 50th Armenian Genocide observance year. It underscores the ongoing effort of local congregations to maintain cultural heritage through institutional stability.
Residents can observe the citys formal recognition of the church during the upcoming public council meeting. The event underscores the continued availability of the parish for community members seeking services and cultural connection.
The takeaway
The churchs 60-year milestone illustrates the resilience of localized religious communities in maintaining cultural identity over time. Supporting local institutions provides residents with a consistent space for spiritual and community engagement.
Further reading
For more on local government and community developments, visit the Waukegan Civic section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Chronicle Media.
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