Brief History of the Women’s Guild

 On November 14, 1951, the Senior Women’s Auxiliary of Holy Trinity Church invited a number of younger women to an evening tea party, which took place at the Holy Trinity Church on Shawmut Avenue.  The purpose of this invitation was to establish an auxiliary to augment and assist in the Senior Women’s work and to assure their continuance.  That evening, 30 enthusiastic women became charter members, ten of whom were appointed as a temporary executive committee.  On November 27, 1951, the late Rev. Fr. Haroutune Toumayan, pastor of Holy Trinity Armenian Church, invited these women to a meeting in his office on Shawmut Avenue.  With his guidance, the officers of the executive committee were elected and plans started taking shape.  At the first membership meeting held on January 18, 1952, it was decided to call this new organization “The Young Women’s Auxiliary,” now known as the Women’s  Guild.  Just 40 days after its inception, the Rev. Fr. Papken Maksoudian began his ministry at Holy Trinity Church.  He served as a constant inspiration and guide to the organization for the Guild’s first 25 years. 

It was the fondest dream and objective of the Young Women’s Auxiliary to help raise funds for the building of a new church. Over the years, this committed group’s fund-raising efforts have resulted in the contribution of hundreds of thousands of dollars.  Ultimately, these funds helped erect the beautiful church on Brattle Street in Cambridge that proudly stands as a place of worship and center of the community.  The Rev. Fr. Mampre A. Kouzouian assumed the ministry of Holy Trinity Church in 1977, and continued supporting and guiding the Women’s Guild for the second 25 years. 

Now celebrating 50 years of service to the Holy Trinity Armenian Church, the Women’s Guild is 160 members strong.  Its members have spearheaded a wide variety of events from pastry and rummage sales to bazaars, fashion and entertainment shows and of special note, elegant Trinity Cotillions.  The Holy Trinity Women’s Guild was the first organization in the Boston Armenian community to host such an event.

“The Women’s Guild has been an integral facet in the fruitful and ongoing life of the Holy Trinity Armenian Church over the last 50 years.  Their continuous dedication serves as a wonderful inspiration as we carry out the ministry of our parish,” says Fr. Vasken A. Kouzouian, pastor. 

 Madeline Kolligian, the first Women’s Guild Chairman, on the 25th Anniversary Celebration of the Women’s Guild, wrote the following:

“We, the members of the Young Women’s Auxiliary, have learned more about our church and hope we have served it well.  We are grateful to all who have been instrumental in helping us attain our goals.  Now we are launching our second-quarter century. Coincidentally, history is repeating itself. As before, we are welcoming a new pastor, this time Rev. Father Mampre Kouzouian.  May we work together in harmony and dedication, escalating our efforts to help our fellow humans and to better the well-being of our community.”

How prophetic that now as the Women’s Guild enters into its third-quarter century, we have again welcomed a new pastor, Fr. Vasken A. Kouzouian.  And again, the goals of the Women’s Guild remain the same - “to work together in harmony and dedication, escalating our efforts to help our fellow humans and to better the well-being of our community.”

The Pastor and Parish Council, as well as the entire community, congratulate the Women’s Guild on their 50th Anniversary.  You have indeed “served well” the Holy Trinity Armenian Church of Greater Boston.