Milwaukee Armenians

By David Luhrssen

“It’s good to be back home,” said Rev. Fr. Tateos Abdalian, the celebrant and guest speaker for the 82nd anniversary celebration at St. John the Baptist Armenian Church, Greenfield. The November 10 event was a special occasion for Der Tateos and Milwaukee’s Armenian community. St. John was his first parish, the beginning of four decades of service in the Eastern Diocese. His years in Milwaukee were also a turning point for St. John, with Der Tateos taking the lead role in building the sanctuary that continues to be central to Armenian spiritual life in Milwaukee.

Der Tateos’ sermon was a reminder to parishioners who knew him in the ‘80s of his penetrating intelligence grounded in faith. He spoke of the power of silence, referencing the Book of Ecclesiastes 3:7, as a way to hear the voice of God in a world of noise and distraction. It’s a voice, he said, that we can hear “only if we learn to be quiet.” He encouraged the congregation to “Arrive early, before Liturgy, or stay afterward, sit quietly in the sanctuary, away from all noises and distractions, and hear God’s voice speak to you”.

After Badarak, a requiem service was conducted for all of St. John’s deceased priests, the godfathers of the parish and everyone instrumental in building the sanctuary in the ‘80s.

Parish Council Chairman Lyle Dadian was master of ceremonies in the program that followed. Among the highlights was a slide show assembled by Don and Donny Rask from photo albums that provided a visual tour of St. John’s 82 years. The presentation began with black and white photos from St. John’s original home in West Allis and moved swiftly to Greenfield in 1970. Photos from the ‘70s and ‘80s were a reminder that the Badarak was celebrated in those years on the stage of the Culture Hall. There was no church building until the ‘80s when Der Tateos pushed for its construction.

The slide show included many pictures of breaking ground, construction and the consecration by Archbishop Torkom Manoogian in 1986. Photos from the decades since display the continued activity in the church and the hall, including weddings, the annual Armenian Fest and the 2021 ordination of St. John’s current parish priest, Rev. Fr. Guregh Hambardzumyan.

Representing women of the community, Ramelann Kalagian presented Diane Blinka Award to Mary Rask and Dr. Sue Oneson for their many years of devoted service. Both women served in Sunday School as teachers, volunteers at Milwaukee Armenian Fest, choir members and as Parish Council members.

In his inspiring remarks, referring to the church, Fr. Guregh pointed out “Though this structure may appear to be a collection of bricks and stone, within its walls we encounter the living God, who nourishes us with His grace and invites us into deeper communion with Him.” And addressing Fr. Tateos, he said, “Der Hayr, it is through your steadfast leadership, and unwavering commitment of our beloved community that this Church has come to life—a place where we are continually drawn closer to the Source of all Good Things—our Creator and Sustainer.”

Also included in the program a rousing toast by Russell Kashian and a moving performance of Der Getso by Rev. Fr. Nareg Keutelian, St. John’s previous priest, accompanied on the piano by Jan Avakian Kopatich.

The weekend festivities concluded with assurances by Fr. Tateos returning to Milwaukee for the 2026 Diocesan Assembly (April 30- May 2, 2026) and celebrating the 40th anniversary of the construction and consecration of St. John’s current sanctuary on Sunday, May 3, 2026.