The Armenian church of Surp Astuadzadzin in the central Anatolian city of Kayseri will be transformed into a museum after being used as a sports hall for decades.

“A historical place like the church is not appropriate for sports. However, sports activities took place here for 30 to 40 years. We are transferring the sports activities in the church to newly opened halls,” said Yahya Şahan, the Kayseri provincial youth and sports director.

Şahan said they have the land title for the church, which was also being used as a youth center and will continue in this function until the construction of a new youth center.

Şahan said there are plans for a museum project and they may transfer the church building to Kayseri Metropolitan Municipality. “If that happens, the municipality may transform [the church] into a museum. A memo came from the municipality last year for the church building to be transferred to them, but this request was put on hold later,” Şahan said transforming the building back into a church was mentioned but the idea was given up.

Kemalettin Cengiz Tekinsoy, deputy secretary-general for Kayseri Metropolitan Municipality, said the structure would be turned into a museum and opening it for service as a church was not an option because there is no Armenian community in Kayseri. “I believe it can be a museum after a renovation that would bring back its historical qualities.”


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