Parish Spotlight: St. Paul Armenian Church - Fresno, California

St. Paul Armenian Apostolic Church of Fresno, California, was formally established in 1940, but the Armenian Apostolic presence in Fresno reaches back much earlier. Before St. Paul, the community was served by Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church, one of the earliest Armenian churches in California and an important spiritual home for Fresno’s growing Armenian population. St. Paul emerged during a difficult period in Fresno Armenian church life, formed by parishioners determined to remain faithful to the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.

The parish first worshiped in borrowed space before acquiring its own church, and its present complex was consecrated on April 22, 1979. Over the decades, St. Paul has become an important spiritual and community center for generations of Armenians in Fresno, continuing a legacy of worship, education, service, and cultural preservation.

Today, the parish is served by Rev. Fr. Yessai Bedros, who was appointed parish priest in 2014 and continues to lead the community in its spiritual and parish life.