page_title: Armenians in Bangladesh
section_title: Armenian church
hierarchical_section_title: Armenians in Bangladesh / Armenian church
caption_attribution_description: Entrance of Armenian Church in Old Dhaka, Bangladesh. My Students, "Arafat &amp; Hossien" helped me taking this picture.
context_page_description: The Armenians in Bangladesh were ethnic Armenians who lived in what is now called Bangladesh. Their numbers have gradually diminished and there is now no Armenians in the country.
  There was a fairly large Armenian colony in Dhaka, cencentrated in the neighbourhood of Armanitola, during the early part of the 18th century. The Armenian community played a significant role in Bengali trade and commerce in the 17th and 18th centuries. The Armenian Apostolic Church of the Holy Resurrection established by the community in 1781, along with the adjucent cemetery, is a major landmark and tourist attraction of old Dhaka.
  Their assertive presence, however, began to decline from the beginning of British rule. Michael Joseph Martin, reported to be the last Armenian in Dhaka, died on 9th of May 2020.
context_section_description: Prior to building the church at Armanitola (popularly known as the Armani Church) they worshiped at a small chapel in the same area, while deceased members of the community were interred at the Roman Catholic Church at Tejgaon, which was five miles from Dhaka at the time. Some of the Armenian tombstones there date back to 1714 to 1794. The oldest tombstone is “Avetis”, an Armenian merchant who died on 15 August 1714.
  After moving to Armanitola, Armenian settlers built a small chapel in the midst of their community graveyard. By the end of the 18th century, the Armenian community had grown considerably, and the chapel was found inadequate for the needs of the community. It was then replaced by the Holy Resurrection Church, completed in 1781 and consecrated by Bishop Ephreim. A belfry on the west of the church was added in 1837. The tower fell down in the earthquake of 1897. A parsonage was added and the floor of the church was decorated with marble, and electric lights in 1910.
caption: Entrance to the Armenian Church in Armanitola
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