Trust Fund Committee of St. John Garabed Armenian Church Hopes Project May be Approved by Year End
SAN DIEGO—The Trust Fund Committee of St. John Garabed Armenian Church has resubmitted the Conditional Use Permit (C.U.P.) application to establish a new church campus on its picturesque property near Del Mar, California. This second submission is a “limited submittal” in response to specific concerns raised in the first review to traffic flow and environmental impact. After initial feedback from the City staff and affected agencies, a complete resubmittal will be made for a final, comprehensive review by the City of San Diego. The Trust Fund Committee is hopeful that the project may be approved by the end of this year.
Harry Krikorian, Chairman of the Trust Fund Committee, stated, “The San Diego Armenian community is eager to establish our spiritual, social, educational and cultural home on our new property near Del Mar. It has been our dream for several years, and now we are growing closer to realizing that dream. Throughout this process, we have been blessed by many fortuitous events that have helped to bring even greater potential to our project.”
Krikorian said that the new campus would be built in stages over a period of several years with the sanctuary and state-of-the-art social hall being the first priorities. In addition, the proposed church campus will include a cultural center and library, youth center, classrooms for Sunday & Armenian School, gymnasium, Armenian heritage park, picnic and meditation space, and abundant parking.
On November 10, 2012, the Trust Fund Committee will host the 2nd Annual “Bridge to the Future” Gala Dinner & Dance at the Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines with guest of honor, His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, and entertainment provided by music superstar Robert Chilingerian. For event information, contact Ani Lanuza (619) 889-1459 or email sjgsdtrust@gmail.com.
In 2008, the Trust Fund Committee of St. John Garabed Armenian Church of San Diego purchased close to 14 acres of premium property near Del Mar, California. The new property is located at 13860 El Camino Real in the City of San Diego. The current fundraising goal is to raise $1 million for expenses associated with final approval of the C.U.P. as well as final land acquisition.
For more than 30 years, St. John Garabed Armenian Church has been at the heart of Armenian community life in San Diego. Under the leadership of Rev. Fr. Datev A.K. Tatoulian, St. John Garabed is a vibrant parish with many active church organizations and groups, including the Parish Council, Ladies’ Society, Sunday & Armenian School, Church Choir, and A.C.Y.O.
To make an online donation, please go to www.stjohngarabedtrust.org/donate_online. To remember the Church in your will or estate planning, please contact Gary Takessian at (858) 569-6527. All contributions are tax-deductible. For information about the Trust Fund Committee, new church campus, fundraising events, and giving opportunities, please visit www.stjohngarabedtrust.org.
