Consecration of St. Stephen’s Church, New Britain, 1926

The photograph was taken in May 1926. It shows the consecration ceremony of St. Stephen’s (Surb Stepanos) Armenian Apostolic Church in the city of New Britain, Connecticut, United States. The church was named in honour of St. Stephen, the first Christian martyr.

The façade of the brick church has a round, flower-shaped window, a cross at the top and towers on both sides. A large crowd has gathered on the entrance steps and in the street, and clergy in liturgical vestments stand on the steps.

According to the source, members of the Armenian community gathered on Tremont Street. The founding of the church symbolised Armenians settling on new shores and their will to preserve their faith and culture. The photograph has been preserved thanks to the Project SAVE archive.