SURP ASDVADZADZIN CHURCH

Located in the Islambey neighbourhood, also known as the "Çeşmeli Odalar" or "Aşağı Mahalle", the Surp Asdvadzadzin Church is believed to have been erected in the second half of the 17th century. The wooden church building that had stood at the church's current spot was partly damaged in 1785; yet services continued in the remaining part of the building. In 1812, a wooden church building was erected to serve the workers who built the Kırkçeşme Shrines, yet, over time, it fell into decay. An inscription plaque in the church says that the Surp Asdvadzadzin Church was built by the Dadyan family in 1827, and was renovated in 1926, thanks to Bishop Sımpad Kazazyan's efforts. The church, which was restored twice in the 1840s was rebuilt as a stone structure in 1855. The last time it underwent a restoration was in 1994.121 The church is still open to service.