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California’s Oldest Armenian Church welcomes the 2021 Harvest Season with the return of its Annual Autumn Food Bazaar, this time in drive-through format!

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122nd Annual Merchants’ Lunch and Country Store in Central California

One of the first televised ethnic recipes in the Golden State will highlight the autumn food bazaar at California’s oldest Armenian Church.

           Margaret Garabedian Setrakian’s “Kabob Delight” will be shared with guests at the 2019 Merchants’ Lunch and Country Store of The First Armenian Presbyterian Church of Fresno.  The harvest gathering will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursday, November 7, at the Church Campus, 430 South First Street at Historic Huntington Boulevard, near Downtown Fresno.  

The 122nd annual gathering will feature seasoned beef filet kebab at $18 per person and chicken kebab at $16 per person, with accompaniments including rice pilaf, cheese boureg, garden salad, pickled tourshee, fresh peda bread, and paklava. Photographs, paintings, and artifacts depicting more than a century of Central California ministry will be on display during the culinary event.

           Meals will be available to guests for dine-in, take-out, or drive through. The drive-through lane will be located on the Raisina Street side of the Church Campus, one block west of First Street between Huntington Boulevard and Balch Avenue.  More information is available by calling (559) 237-6638, faxing (559) 237-9526, or e-mailing administration@fapc.net.

           Margaret Setrakian (1919-2012) was born in Fresno to Vaughan and Veronica (Harikian) Garabedian just seven months after the World War I Armistice.  She married her high school sweetheart, Souren Setrakian, and they made their home a few blocks from the FAPC Campus.  A gifted cook, baker, and artist, Margaret demonstrated her specialty main dish, also known as “The Hobo Pack,” on the September 14, 1953 broadcast of Fresno Cook Book.  The 30-minute afternoon culinary program aired live on Fresno’s first television station, KMJ Channel 24.  The NBC affiliate, originally owned by McClatchy Broadcasting, first signed on the air on June 1, 1953 in studios designed by television pioneer Marshall L. Faber, Sr.  Today the station is known by call letters KSEE and is owned by Nextar Media Group.

The autumn food bazaar marks the 26th Anniversary of the publication of “A Hundred Years and Still Cooking,” the FAPC Fidelis Women’s Society Centennial recipe collection. First published in 1993 by H. Markus Printing, the 496-page volume includes instructions for preparing 636 different ethnic recipes and sells for $35.  Food writer Barbara Hansen, a James Beard Award winner, reviewed the volume in the January 14, 1998 edition of The Los Angeles Times under the headline, “Leaves from Fresno.”  The cookbook is a unique compendium of heritage recipes, Scriptural truths, Old World culinary precepts, and Central California ethnic history.

The Merchants’ Lunch Country Store will be open throughout the luncheon hours for holiday shopping.  The Store will offer such ethnic delicacies as choreg, souberag,

paklava, yalanchi, bottled grape leaves, gutah, tourshee, rojik, and basdegh.  The abundant produce of the San Joaquin Valley and a host of homemade breads, jellies, and pastries will round out the comestibles in the Store pantry.                                        

Reverend Gregory Vahack Haroutunian is the Senior Pastor of the Congregation.  Maryvonne Gagliardi, Steven Marashian, and Elaine Tavlian Rubio are Co-Chairs of the 2019 Merchants’ Lunch and Country Store.

           Chartered by 40 immigrants in a rented hall on July 25, 1897, FAPC was the boyhood church of authors William Saroyan and A.I. Bezzerides and documentary filmmaker J. Michael Hagopian.  Six generations and 12 decades later, FAPC is a multigenerational congregation drawn from the Old and New Worlds.  

FAPC is a member congregation of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church and the Armenian Evangelical Union of North America.  The 122nd Anniversary theme of the congregation is “Love Christ.  Love Others. Make Disciples.”  

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121st Annual Merchants’ Lunch and Country Store

           California’s oldest Armenian Congregation will mark the silver anniversary of a congregational cookbook at its annual harvest season community luncheon.

           The First Armenian Presbyterian Church of Fresno will hold its 2018 Merchants’ Lunch and Country Store from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursday, November 8, at the Church Campus, 430 South First Street at Historic Huntington Boulevard, near Downtown Fresno.  

The 121st annual gathering will feature lunch at $15 per person, with seasoned beef filet kebab or garlic chicken kebab, rice pilaf, cheese boureg, garden salad, pickled tourshee, fresh peda bread, paklava, among the offerings.  Photographs, paintings, and artifacts depicting a century and 21 years of Central California ministry will be on display during the culinary event.

           Meals will be available to guests for dine-in, take-out, or drive through.  The drive-through lane will be located on the Raisina Street side of the Church Campus, one block west of First Street between Huntington Boulevard and Balch Avenue.  More information is available by calling (559) 237-6638, faxing (559) 237-9526, or e-mailing administration@fapc.net.

The autumn food bazaar marks the 25th Anniversary of the publication of “A Hundred Years and Still Cooking,” the FAPC Fidelis Women’s Society Centennial recipe collection. First published in 1993 by H. Markus Printing, the 496-page volume includes instructions for preparing 636 different ethnic recipes and sells for $35.  Food writer Barbara Hansen, a James Beard Award winner, reviewed the volume in the January 14, 1998 edition of The Los Angeles Times under the headline, “Leaves from Fresno.”  The cookbook is a unique compendium of heritage recipes, Scriptural truths, Old World culinary precepts, and Central California ethnic history.

The Merchants’ Lunch Country Store will be open throughout the luncheon hours for holiday shopping.  The Store will offer such ethnic delicacies as choreg, souberag,

paklava, yalanchi, bottled grape leaves, gutah, tourshee, rojik, and basdegh.  The abundant produce of the San Joaquin Valley and a host of homemade breads, jellies, and pastries will round out the comestibles in the Store pantry.                                        

           Reverend Gregory Vahack Haroutunian and Reverend Mgo Mekredijian comprise the FAPC Teaching Elder Leadership Team.  Lisa Tokatian, Maryvonne Gagliardi, and Jonelle S.G. Kazarian are Co-Chairs of the 2018 Merchants’ Lunch and Country Store.

           Chartered by 40 immigrants in a rented hall on July 25, 1897, FAPC was the boyhood church of authors William Saroyan and A.I. Bezzerides and documentary filmmaker J. Michael Hagopian.  Six generations and 12 decades later, FAPC is a multigenerational congregation drawn from the Old and New Worlds.  

FAPC is a member congregation of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church and the Armenian Evangelical Union of North America. The 121st Anniversary theme of the congregation is “Love Christ.  Love Others. Make Disciples.”  

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William Saroyan’s Boyhood Church to Mark Cookbook Anniversary at 121st Autumn Food Bazaar

            California’s oldest Armenian Congregation will mark the silver anniversary of a congregational cookbook at its annual harvest season community luncheon.

           The First Armenian Presbyterian Church of Fresno will hold its 2018 Merchants’ Lunch and Country Store from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursday, November 8, at the Church Campus, 430 South First Street at Historic Huntington Boulevard, near Downtown Fresno.  

The 121st annual gathering will feature lunch at $15 per person, with seasoned beef filet kebab or garlic chicken kebab, rice pilaf, cheese boureg, garden salad, pickled tourshee, fresh peda bread, paklava, among the offerings.  Photographs, paintings, and artifacts depicting a century and 21 years of Central California ministry will be on display during the culinary event.

           Meals will be available to guests for dine-in, take-out, or drive through.  The drive-through lane will be located on the Raisina Street side of the Church Campus, one block west of First Street between Huntington Boulevard and Balch Avenue.  More information is available by calling (559) 237-6638, faxing (559) 237-9526, or e-mailing administration@fapc.net.

The autumn food bazaar marks the 25th Anniversary of the publication of “A Hundred Years and Still Cooking,” the FAPC Fidelis Women’s Society Centennial recipe collection. First published in 1993 by H. Markus Printing, the 496-page volume includes instructions for preparing 636 different ethnic recipes and sells for $35.  Food writer Barbara Hansen, a James Beard Award winner, reviewed the volume in the January 14, 1998 edition of The Los Angeles Times under the headline, “Leaves from Fresno.”  The cookbook is a unique compendium of heritage recipes, Scriptural truths, Old World culinary precepts, and Central California ethnic history.

The Merchants’ Lunch Country Store will be open throughout the luncheon hours for holiday shopping.  The Store will offer such ethnic delicacies as choreg, souberag,

paklava, yalanchi, bottled grape leaves, gutah, tourshee, rojik, and basdegh.  The abundant produce of the San Joaquin Valley and a host of homemade breads, jellies, and pastries will round out the comestibles in the Store pantry.                                        

           Reverend Gregory Vahack Haroutunian and Reverend Mgo Mekredijian comprise the FAPC Teaching Elder Leadership Team.  Lisa Tokatian, Maryvonne Gagliardi, and Jonelle S.G. Kazarian are Co-Chairs of the 2018 Merchants’ Lunch and Country Store.

           Chartered by 40 immigrants in a rented hall on July 25, 1897, FAPC was the boyhood church of authors William Saroyan and A.I. Bezzerides and documentary filmmaker J. Michael Hagopian.  Six generations and 12 decades later, FAPC is a multigenerational congregation drawn from the Old and New Worlds.  

FAPC is a member congregation of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church and the Armenian Evangelical Union of North America. The 121st Anniversary theme of the congregation is “Love Christ.  Love Others. Make Disciples.”  

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Entry stained glass from the Fulton Street Sanctuary (1901-1985) of Fresno’s First Armenian Presbyterian Church.

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William Saroyan’s Boyhood Church Marks 120th Anniversary at Autumn Food Bazaar

California’s oldest Armenian Congregation will mark 120 years of ministry at its annual harvest season community lunch.

The First Armenian Presbyterian Church of Fresno will hold its 2017 Merchants’ Lunch and Country Store from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursday, November 9 at the Church Campus, 430 South First Street at Historic Huntington Boulevard, near Downtown Fresno.  

The event will feature lunch at $15 per person, with seasoned beef filet kebab or garlic chicken kebab, rice pilaf, cheese boureg, garden salad, pickled tourshee, fresh peda bread, paklava, among the offerings. Photographs, paintings, and artifacts depicting a century and 20 years of Central California ministry will be on display during the culinary gathering.

Meals will be available to guests for dine-in, take-out, or drive through. An all-new offering of family-style takeout portions will be available for larger group gatherings by calling (559) 237-6638 a day in advance of the event.  The drive-through lane will be located on the Raisina Street side of the Church Campus, one block west of First Street between Huntington Boulevard and Balch Avenue.  More information is available by calling (559) 237-6638, faxing (559) 237-9526, or e-mailing administration@fapc.net.

The Merchants’ Lunch Country Store will be open throughout the luncheon hours for holiday shopping.  The Store will offer such ethnic delicacies as choreg, souberag, paklava, yalanchi, bottled grape leaves, gutah, tourshee, rojik, and basdegh.  The abundant produce of the San Joaquin Valley and a host of homemade breads, jellies, and pastries will round out the comestibles in the Store pantry.

“A Hundred Years and Still Cooking,” the FAPC Fidelis Women’s Society Centennial recipe collection, will also be available for purchase. The 496-page volume includes instructions for preparing 636 different ethnic recipes and sells for $35.  First reviewed in the January 14, 1998 edition of The Los Angeles “Times, the cookbook is a unique compendium of heritage recipes, Scriptural truths, Old World culinary precepts, and Central California ethnic history.

Reverend Gregory Vahack Haroutunian, Reverend Mgo Mekredijian, and Reverend Philip C. Garo, Jr. comprise the FAPC Leadership Team.  Maryvonne Gagliardi and Jonelle S.G. Kazarian are Co-Chairs of the 2017 Merchants’ Lunch and Country Store.

Chartered by 40 immigrants in a rented hall on July 25, 1897, FAPC was the boyhood church of authors William Saroyan and A.I. Bezzerides.  Six generations and 12 decades later, FAPC is a multigenerational congregation drawn from the Old and New Worlds.  FAPC is a member congregation of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church and the Armenian Evangelical Union of North America. The 120th Anniversary theme of the congregation is “Love Christ.  Love Others. Make Disciples.” 

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Ethnic Food Bazaar Marks Milestone in Central California Agricultural History

The annual autumn food bazaar at California’s oldest Armenian Church will salute the founding of the first successful agricultural colony in Fresno County.

            The gathering will celebrate the 140th Anniversary of the Central California Colony, a 4,000-acre community of small farms settled by immigrants to the heartland of the Golden State.

            The harvest season gathering will feature seasoned lulu kebab, rice pilaf, cheese boureg, garden salad, pickled tourshee, fresh peda bread, paklava, and beverage, among the offerings.

            Meals will be available to guests for dine-in, take-out, or drive through.  Advance orders may be placed on or before November 9 by calling (559) 237-6638, faxing (559) 237-9526, or e-mailing administration@fapc.net.  The drive-through lane will be located on the Raisina Street side of the Church Campus, one block west of First Street between Huntington Boulevard and Balch Avenue.

First envisioned by German émigré Bernard Marks and marketed by M. Theo Kearney, the Central California Colony was located on six square miles of wasteland owned by speculator William S. Chapman south of the Fresno City limits.  The large parcel was subdivided into 20-acre farms, each planted with vines imported from Spain.  Moses J. Church, the Father of Fresno Irrigation, established a common water supply for the expansive tract.                                             

Bounded by North, South, East, and West Avenues, the Colony included 23 miles of streets shaded by cypress, eucalyptus, almond, pecan, fig, citrus and other trees.  Early-day members of the FAPC congregation tilled the soil of the Colony, leased small parcels, and eventually purchased Colony farms on their own account.  The Hedgerow and Raisina Vineyards were prominent early enterprises.

            The Merchants’ Lunch Country Store will be open throughout the luncheon hours for holiday shopping.  The Store will offer such ethnic delicacies as choreg, souberag, paklava, yalanchi, bottled grape leaves, gutah, tourshee, rojik, and basdegh.  The abundant produce of the San Joaquin Valley and a host of homemade breads will round out the comestibles in the Store pantry.

            The Store will also offer “A hundred Years and Still Cooking,” the Fidelis Women’s Society Centennial recipe collection.  The 496-page volume includes instructions for preparing 636 different ethnic recipes and sells for $35.  First reviewed in the January 14, 1998 edition of The Los Angeles Times, the cookbook is a unique compendium of heritage recipes, Scriptural truths, Old World culinary precepts, and Central California ethnic history.

            Reverend Gregory Vahack Haroutunian, Reverend Mgo Mekredijian, and Reverend Philip C. Garo, Jr. comprise the FAPC Leadership Team.  Maryvonne Gagliardi and Missy Karabian Statler are Co-Chairs of the 2015 Merchants’ Lunch.

            Chartered by 40 immigrants in a rented hall on July 25, 1897, FAPC today is a multigenerational congregation drawn from the Old and New Worlds.  Author William Saroyan and A.I. Bezzerides grew up in the Church before making their mark in American literature.  FAPC is a member congregation of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church and the Armenian Evangelical Union of North America.