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Armenian Church in Old Dhaka. Photo outsourced from

Top 10 Amazing Facts about Armenian Church, Dhaka

The Armenian church is also known as the Armenian Apostolic Church of the Holy Resurrection. It is a religious and historical architectural monument found in the Armanitola area of old Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Armenian were Christians belonging to the Greek or Orthodox church. Armenian built churches where they settled. Once they settled in old Dhaka, they built one. They built a small chapel in the graveyard in Armanitola.

Later the chapel was replaced by the Holy Resurrection Church. The church was completed in 1781, and the Armenian church received recognition from the Bangladesh government as an archeological site under the architecture department.

Learn more about the Armenian church in Dhaka in these top 10 amazing facts.

1. The Church is Built in Armenian Church Architecture

The Armenian Church of the Holy Resurrection (1781) at Dhaka, Bangladesh. Photo by David Stanley on

The church is 750 feet in length and has two storied. It has 4 doors and 27 windows, all of them arched. The church building plan had the main section where all the prayer activities occur and two rectangular wings on either side.

The church’s main floor is divided into three parts, a pulpit enclosed by railings, a middle section with two folding doors and an area separated by a wooden fence for seating.

The entrance into the church occurs through the two rectangular wings, which are also veranda spaces. The second floor of the church has a spiral staircase.

At the rectangular end of the main section, there are three doors on the ground door and the first floor, which turned into a balcony with a railing. The church’s rectangular wings turned into terrace spaces on the first floor.

It also had a watch house built by Johan鈥檚 Par Piyeto Sarkis. The watch has a square tower with a Shonkhonil (a special type of minar used in India to show respect) minar on top of it.

The church has some beautiful paintings in the church by the artist Charles Port. There is also a room behind the pulpit used for baptism with a 3 feet deep marble baptismal font. 

2. The Site of the Church Was an Armenian Graveyard

In 1781, the now famous Armenian church was built on Armenian street in Armanitola, then a thriving business district. The site was an Armenian graveyard before the church was built and the tombstones that have survived serve as a chronicle of Armenian life in the area.

Amongst the 350 people buried there, a statue stands at the grave of Catachika Avatik Thomas, portraying his wife. The statue was bought from Kolkata and the grave is inscribed with the words 鈥� Best of Husband.鈥�

The oldest grave is a skull and crossbones carving portraying that pirates killed the person in 1781. The church’s land was given by Aganinus Catachik and built by Michel Cerkes, Okotavata Setoor Severy, Ag Aranius and Merkers Pogs.

3. The History of Armenian Church, Dhaka

Photo by Kuruman on

Persian power dominated the Armenian homeland. Their new rulers sent the Armenians to the Bengal region for political and economic reasons. 

Armenian presence in Dhaka dates back to the 17th century. They came to Dhaka for business; they traded in Jute and leather and profitably in this business.

The area which Armenian occupied was known as Armanitola. The Armenian church was built on the Armenian streets in Armanitola, which was then a thriving business district.

4. The Church Show Evidence of Armenian Existence in Dhaka

The church acts as evidence of the existence of the most outstanding Armenian community in the region in the seventeen and eighteen centuries.

The Armenians were mostly concentrated in the neighborhood of Armanitola. The Armenian community played a significant role in Bengali trade and commerce.

Armenian established the church and adjacent cemetery, which have remained tourist attractions and landmarks of old Dhaka. Armenians have gradually diminished in the region, and now there are no Armenians in Bangladesh.

5. The Armenian Church is a Major Tourist Attraction in Dhaka City

The Armenian church was constructed in the late eighteen century. This church in old Dhaka bears the testimony of a large Armenian community in Dhaka.

Armenian in Dhaka played a significant role in Bengal trade and commerce in the seventeen and eighteen centuries. They then established a settlement in Hughli, kasimbazar Murshidabad, Chinsara Saidabad and other Bengal business centers, including Dhaka.

The Armenians left Dhaka, but the church built in Dhaka still exists. The church has become a significant architectural monument that attracts thousands of tourists.

6. The Church Has a Clock Tower

During the 50 years following the church鈥檚 construction, a clock tower was erected on its western side. The clock could be heard four miles and people synchronized their watches with the sound of the tower bill.

In 1880, the clock stopped; in 1897, an earthquake destroyed the clock’s tower.

7. The Armenian Church is a Religious and Historical Heritage

The Armenian church was a subject of BBC and AFP documentaries before the government of Bangladesh declared it a historical and religious heritage. It was then put under archaeology; the Ministry of Cultural Affairs of Bangladesh has taken measures to reinstate and safeguard the cultural heritage.

The government of Armenia has also shown interest of willingness to cooperate in the effort of the Bangladesh government. The church is always open during the daytime for visitors to explore and learn about its history.

8. The Church is an Armenian Apostolic Church

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The Armenian church was the national church of the Armenian people and one of the most ancient Christian institutions.

According to tradition, the church originated in the mission of Apostolic Bartholomew and Thaddeus of Edessa in the first century. St. Gregory was the first official primate of the church.

The Armenians in Dhaka started the Armenian church because it is seen by many as the custodian of Armenian national identity and this helped them establish their identity in Dhaka.

9. The Church is Small

The Armenian church is 75 feet in length , white and galleries trimmed relatively small. Its main hall can accommodate about 80 people.

A painting depicting the last supper hangs on the wall and a wooden spiral stair leads to 20 or 30 people can be accommodated.

10. Armenian Church is Still Active

The church is still in use, but services are always held on special occasions such as Easter, a group of catholic expats organize a service in the historical church. It is always open during the daytime.