There have been Armenian presence in Montreal dating as far back as 1908, but it is only in the 1940s that the Armenians started being organized as a community. The first flow of Armenians into Montreal took place in 1952, when by mitigation of the immigration laws, approximately 250 Armenians migrated from Greece. In 1956, after the major occurrences in Istanbul, and especially in the late 1950’s
, during the civil war in Egypt, a huge number of Armenians came to Canada. In the next decades, small groups of Armenians came continuously from Ethiopia, Iran, and the Middle East. Montreal now, has a community rich with more than 30,000 Armenians. The church has always and continues today to welcome and assist newcomers from various parts of the world. In the 1950’s Devine Liturgy was regularly celebrated and the sub-committees of the Church worked actively. By 1957 the governmental registration of the Armenian Holy Apostolic Church of Montreal had taken place. Successively, in regard to the swift multiplication of the Canadian Armenians, in 1967, the Diocesan Council of the Eastern Armenians of America, and His Eminence Archbishop Torkom Manoukian established, the Substitute Primacy of Canada, they denoted His Grace Bishop Vatche Hovsepian, Substitute Primate of all Armenians in Canada, and Montreal as the headquarters. In 1969, a celebration was organised to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the famous Armenian musician Father Gomidas, the celebration took place in the Fairmount St. Gilles United Church by the intervention of Rev. Zarifian, shortly after the event it was announced that the Church building was for sale. The Annual General Meeting of February 18, 1969, unanimously decided to purchase that Church for $250,000. On Easter Sunday, March 29, Bishop Vatche Hovsepian celebrated the first Devine Liturgy. The Fundraising donations started to accumulate vigorously, by the Armenian Americans and Canadians. Alex Manoogian donated the amount of $100,000; the rest was converted into annual bill payments. On June 20, 1969 the final purchase documents were signed by the Parish Council in assembly. In 1980, with the blessing of His Holiness Vazken I Supreme Patriarch of All Armenians, an independent Diocese for Canadian Armenians was established and on October 6, 1984 Very Rev. Vazken Keshishian was elected as the first Primate of Armenians of Canada, and the second floor of the Church becomes the official residence of the primate. After the development of congregation, Pastor’s duties were performed by the following Pastors: Rev. Zkon Tcharkhougian, Rev. Khoren Mamigonian, Very Rev. Isahag Ghazarian, Very Rev. Vazken Tatoyan, Rev. Ghevont Papazian, Rev. Mampre Biberian, Rev. Housig Nichanian, Rev. Guregh Yetenegian, Rev. Mamigon Oskanian, Rev. Sahag Balian, Very Rev. Zaven Arzoumanian, Rev. Gomidas Sherbetdjian, Very Rev. Shenork Kasbarian, Very Rev. Bared Yeretzian, Rev. Arch. Partogh Kherkadjian, Rev. Zareh Zarkarian, Very Rev. Ararat Kaltakdjian, Rev. fr. Vazgen Boyajyan, and Rev. David Margaryan.
