The Diocesan Primate Archbishop Hovnan Derderian paid a pastoral visit to St. Peter Armenian Church of Van Nuys on February 23, 2025, where he celebrated the Divine Liturgy and delivered the sermon․ Assisting Archbishop Derderian at the Holy Altar were the parish priest Archpriest Fr. Shnork Demirjian, the Rev. Fr. Gevork Abyan, and the deacons.  

On that day, the parish community also celebrated the 67^th anniversary of establishment of the parish with a luncheon in Karagozian Hall. In his remarks, Archbishop Derderian reflected on the significance of St. Peter Armenian Church of Van Nuys as the religious, spiritual and cultural hub of the faithful community of the San Fernando Valley. “For sixty-seven years, St. Peter Armenian Church has nourished the faithful with the Word of God. Inspired by the Holy Spirit, they will always glorify the Kingdom of God established by our Lord Jesus Christ,” stated His Eminence.

About St. Peter Armenian Church of Van Nuys

On Pentecost Sunday, May 25, 1958, the Very Reverend Dirayr Dervishian, then pastor of St. James Church in Los Angeles, celebrated the first Divine Liturgy ever held in the San Fernando Valley. This day marked a new era for the Armenians in Los Angeles, as this celebration was the birth of one of the most faithful Armenian communities in the world. 

In October of 1958, the first meeting was held to organize a Parish Assembly. At this meeting, 52 members voted unanimously to formally organize the San Fernando Valley Armenian Apostolic Church. Two months later, 64 members elected a board of trustees (Parish Council), Diocesan Assembly Delegates and an auditing committee. The new officers were installed at the inaugural General Assembly on December 7, 1958. 

Anxious to build their own sanctuary as soon as possible, the trustees appointed a building site committee and also organized the Ladies Aid as the major support unit of the church. The name St. Peter was chosen for the newly formed parish and Father Dervishian was asked to preside until a permanent parish priest could be appointed. On February 14, 1959, St. Peter Armenian Apostolic Church was incorporated and formally admitted to the Western Diocese. That summer, a two-and-one-quarter-acre parcel was purchased for $46,500 at our current location of 17231 Sherman Way.