1st AGBU Chapter in Lebanon

The first AGBU Chapter Committee in Beirut (Lebanon) was formed by the initiative of the Prelate Bedros Saradjian (than Catholicos). Despite the fact that about 50 Armenian families were living in Beirut at the time, AGBU had 40 members. On 1910 Jun 10 AGBU’s 1st Chapter in Beirut was established. 40 members held their 1st General Meeting and elected the founding Committee members as followed: Boghos Papazian (chairman), Dr. Tareh Amadouni (Secretary), Mihran Kehyaian (treasurer), Boghos Sarafian and Manouk Avedissian known as Bechara al Muhandis (members) (Manouk Avedisian (1841-1925) more commonly known as Bechara Effendi (or Bechara Effendi al-Muhandis, also Bechara Effendi el Dob “the bear”), was an Ottoman administrator and chief engineer of Vilayet of Syria and later of the Vilayet of Beirut. Avedissian, who is considered as one of the founding fathers of Lebanese architecture and urban planning, is of Armenian descent):