Contact Information: Marsha Alabachian (Chairperson) at (781) 848-4726.

When St. Gregory the Illuminator transformed Armenia into the first Christian state, the first task that he undertook was the establishment of church schools throughout the country.  He realized that the best way to ensure the permanency of the new religion was to teach it to the children.  The centuries have borne out the wisdom of St. Gregory’s actions.

A public school system, as we know it in this country, was unknown to our ancestors.  The teaching of the young has always been a function of the church.  Many clergymen doubled as teachers.

From the very beginning of their immigration to these shores in any sizeable numbers, the first public endeavor that a group of Armenians would undertake was a school, even if the meeting place was a room in a private home.  As soon as the means were available a space would be rented.  Often this space served extra duty as a meeting place for the Armenians at night or a site for various public and private affairs.

In Watertown, The Saints Sahag-Mesrob Armenian School was started and kept up under such conditions for many years by Mrs. G. Nazar.  When the St. James Armenian Church was finally built, the Saints Sahag-Mesrob Armenian School was taken over by the Church.

But it was not until 1935 that a Sunday School was instituted in the church.  Mrs. Nazeli Avakian of Arlington approached the Parish Council with a suggestion to establish a Sunday School and her suggestion was duly adopted. She was appointed as the first superintendent.

The early years were difficult.  No permanent location, limited funds and low enrollment hindered the first attempts.  But at that time there were, as there are today, one key ingredient that ensured success – dedicated people.

In addition to her duties as superintendent, Mrs. Avakian also taught a class as did her “right arm”, Mrs. Mary Boyajian, the assistant superintendent.  Including these two women there were nine teachers in all.  They were to receive the valuable guidance and assistance from the various chairmen of the Armenian School Committee:  the late Artin Papazian, Megerdich Jamgochian and Hagop Barsamian.

The first classes were held in the fall of 1935 in the Armenian Community Center, and there were approximately 75 students in attendance.  Soon it became necessary to take over all the rooms in the Armenian Community Center, including the kitchen and even the attic.  Some classes even had to be accommodated in the church hall.

The first class eventually graduated and those students established the happy tradition of staying with the Sunday School as teachers, or staff members, or joining the church choir.  They were able to fit right in because of the strong training they had received from Mrs. Dickranouhi Kupelian, who had joined the staff as Music Supervisor, and for many years taught the sharagans and prayers under the most adverse conditions.

World War II brought a lull in the growth of the Sunday School.  Most of the men teachers entered the service, which meant the doubling up of duties for the staff.  When “normal” conditions prevailed after the war, new problems arose as the enrollment began to increase rapidly.  The church then bought the building, known as the Parish House.  After a while this became inadequate and the Langdon Avenue property and the “Campbell House” were purchased.  With the completion of the Cultural and Youth Center in 1968, the Sunday School finally had a “home”.

Throughout the history, the school's numbers, places, and faces have changed.  Today, the Sunday School is well-established organization. We are no longer worried about basic problems like space and funds and the Sunday School has become increasingly progressive, improving and experimenting with curriculum and initiating new programs and events.  Today many other church schools look to St. James School for ideas, advice, and new concepts.

The Sunday School staff and the Parish Council and our Pastor recognize the vital work of the school and are dedicated to its continued success.  We look forward to the leadership and accomplishments of our Sunday School as it continues its mission of educating our young about Christianity and the Armenian Church. 

Please contact us if you would like to have more information about the Sunday School.