ARMENIAN CHURCH MOVES FORWARD WITH PLANS TO BUILD NEW BUILDING
The Desert Sun
April 15 2008
CA
They couldn’t afford to build a church, so members of the Armenian
Apostolic Church of the Desert spent several years worshipping in a
parish hall.
But thanks to a $1 million contribution last year, officials decided
to move forward with plans to build an official church on Vista Dunes
Road with enough pews to fit 170 people.
On Monday, the city’s Architectural Review Board voted 5-0 to recommend
the Planning Commission discuss the nearly $2million project at a
date to be determined.
"To get over the first hurdle is huge," church building committee
member Gary Funtas said.
The 3,540-square-foot church has been in the works for years
and previously was approved by city officials in 2001, church
representatives said.
A cash shortage forced the project to the back burner, and building
permits expired in 2005 before work could continue.
"The decision, which was a good move, was to build the hall first,"
Funtas said.
About 50 people worship in a 500-square-foot room at the parish hall
on a regular basis, and even more show up on holidays.
Other events, such as last October’s Armenian Cultural Festival,
also took place there.
"We finished the hall and thought we could utilize it for more,"
Parish Council Chairwoman Carolon Nigosian said.
Church officials have since raised about $600,000 for the project in
addition to the $1 million contribution.
They have declined to identify the benefactor.
ARB commissioners complimented church officials on the building’s
design.
"I really think it’s a very classic church," Commissioner Bill
Johnson said after the meeting. "You don’t know if it’s a night club
or church nowadays."