Saint Mary Church: A Must-Visit Historic Site in Tehran
Discover Armenian Heritage at Saint Mary Church in Tehran
Founded in 1945 by philanthropist Roman Issayan, Saint Mary Church is one of Tehran‘s most significant historic landmarks. As the first Armenian cathedral in Tehran, it served as the city’s primary cathedral until 1970. Today, Saint Mary Church remains a key site for religious ceremonies and a popular cultural attraction for those interested in Armenian history and culture.
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Saint Mary Church: A Historic Overview
Built during the Pahlavi era, Saint Mary Church has become a cherished location for the Armenian community, especially for those living nearby. Architect Nikolai Markov designed this beautiful structure, which houses notable Armenian figures such as Yeprem David Davidian (known as Yeprem Khan) and Hovhannes Khan Masihian.
After the Armenian Diocese moved its headquarters to Saint Sarkis Cathedral, the neighboring buildings became home to charitable, educational, and research organizations.
The installation of a bust of Dr. Haratoon Davidian has further established Saint Mary Church as a cultural and religious center for Tehran’s Armenian community. In 2002, the church was registered as a national heritage site under the number 7237.
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Location of Saint Mary Church in Tehran
Saint Mary Church is located on Mirza Kuchak Khan Street, off Jomhouri Avenue. The closest metro station is Ferdowsi, approximately one kilometer away. Alternatively, visitors can take the Line 4 BRT to Jomhouri Square, then transfer to a bus heading to Baharestan Square and disembark before the Ferdowsi intersection.
History of Saint Mary Church
Following World War I and a period of social and economic change in Iran, a wave of migration brought rural residents, including Armenians, to Tehran between the 1920s and 1930s. The Armenian community settled in new neighborhoods like Hassanabad, creating a need for local religious facilities.
Since the Saint George Church in the Ghaem Bazaar area was the closest option, Armenians from Hassanabad sought permission to establish a temporary church in the Haikazian School on Mirza Kuchak Khan Street. With the growing population, there was a demand for a new church and a separate diocese for Tehran’s Armenians. This led to the decision to build a cathedral in Hassanabad to meet both religious and administrative needs.
On April 17, 1937, a committee of Armenian architects met and commissioned Nikolai Laouri to design a large cathedral. Despite initial financial challenges, philanthropist Roman Issayan generously funded the project, allowing construction to proceed with Nikolai Markov as the architect after Laouri’s death.
Architecture of Saint Mary Church in Tehran
Saint Mary Church features a cruciform layout, most evident in the church’s floor plan. The altar is designed with three windows and flanked by two small rooms with doors opening to the main chapel. A central dome with multiple windows sits atop the chapel, while a secondary dome at the western end serves as the bell tower.
The church has three entrances, with the main entrance located on the western side, featuring a grand archway with two columns. Upon entering, visitors encounter two small, symmetrical rooms on either side of a hallway, above which lies a balcony designed for the choir, directly under the bell tower.
Large windows adorn the church’s three walls, creating a unique triangular pattern extending from the top of the walls to the foundation. Semi-circular carvings inspired by medieval Armenian architecture add to the building’s beauty and light contrast. A stone plaque above the main entrance details the church’s founding and its architect. The church grounds also contain the tombs of Hovhannes Masihian and Yeprem Khan, two notable Armenian figures.
Saint Mary Church Museum
In one of the adjacent buildings, the Saint Mary Church Museum was established in 2008 by Catholicos Aram I. This museum showcases various religious artifacts, maps, manuscripts, traditional Armenian women’s clothing, and personal items of Bishop Ardak Manoukian. Visitors can also view works by Iranian-Armenian artists.
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Visiting Saint Mary Church in Tehran
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, access to Saint Mary Church is limited. Normally, visits are allowed on non-ceremonial days with prior permission. Group visits to both the church and the museum are possible with prior arrangement.
For further guidance on Tehran’s landmarks and tours, visit SURFIRAN’s website.
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