Keurkune's Historic Church: as an School -3

Vahe H. Apelian

Keurkune’s church has served also as a school, using both the sanctuary and the pastoral residence as classroom with more than one class segregated in the sanctuary. My mother recalled having attended class in the sanctuary and she particularly remembered an incident with Joseph Kerbabian who when reprimanded for punishment climbed up the column reaching the ceiling of the church and refusing to come down. They seem to have been good friends for she recalled fondly that when she gave her parting words as Sunday school teacher for moving to Beirut after having getting married, Joseph Kerbabian presented her a gift. 

Generations were schooled in Keurkune’s church and we have pictures of the students gathered on the church’s front steps. Regretfully we do not have records of the names. The young boys and girls who studied in Keurkune’s church became accomplished individuals. Some carved an international reputation, such as Dr. Antranig Chalabian became a reputable historian, Kourken (Apelian) Bedirian PhD became a pioneer in embryonic transfer about whom Time magazine wrote. Henry Apelian became the director of Schering-Plough pharmaceutical company’s international division.   

Attached are a few pictures of the students photographed on the church’s front steps. More pictures can be seen in Facebook’s “Keurkune and Keurkunetisis to know and to preserve” site initiated and ably managed by Garo Konyalian, may be its fair to note as Garo Apelian Konyalian in recognition of her mother, a bosom friend of my mother to the very end. 

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Angel Megerditchian noted that “on second row sitting third little girl is me ,Angel Apelian !! The top standing right is Ardashes Kerbabian . On the left standing rev. Tovmassian & his wife,  don't remember the year !”

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LtoR, standing: Taniel Apelian, Garabed Kilian, Robert Apelian, Vartkes Apelian, Stepan Kerbabian, Yenovk Bedirian. Sitting: Soghomon Apelian, Hovhannes Chelebian, James Bedirian, Bedros Kakousian, Henry Apelian, (Christie Curran' grandfather.). 

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Teachers LtoR: Araxie Apelian, Kohar Apelian, Sona Bedirian. The picture is taken right after 1947 repatriation when a good number of the families moved to Armenia. After the repatriation to Armenia, the school lost the great majority of its students.