Jennie Garabedian

New Britain's Armenian Community (Images of America: Connecticut) Jennie Garabedian

In 1926 New Britain, Armenian immigrants gathered to consecrate the first Armenian church in Connecticut, coming together to celebrate their future in the New World and put their tragic past behind them. Victims of the first genocide of the 20th century, Armenians came to the Hardware City in great numbers during the 1920s. It was there they found work, freedom, and safety. Most were orphaned children or members of families separated by geography. Their first order of business was to establish a church, historically the center of Armenian society. As their numbers grew, they thrived. At its peak, the Armenian community boasted drama, choral, dance, and sports groups. They became Americans, serving their new country in war and in peace, but never forgot their roots. New Britain's Armenian Community documents their journey from terror and dislocation to security and freedom.