History of Our Church

Finding Inspiration in Every Turn

Our Lady of Lebanon Maronite Catholic Church had no melodramatic start, no clap of thunder, no parting of the sea, no loud melodious voices from the firmament, but rather resulted from a casual remark.

The American Lebanese Morning Star Society, upon hearing of this interest in a Maronite Church, sent a delegation to the Maronite Chancery to visit with the Ordinary of the Diocese, Bishop Francis Zayek, who was most encouraging. Armed with the Bishops’ imprimatur, the community started moving.

Invitations went out to all Christians in the area who could satisfy their
spiritual and ethnic needs in this church community.

Monsignor Elias El-Hayek was assigned the task of serving the needs of the Parish as its first pastor. On Sunday, August 26, 1973 he celebrated the first Maronite Liturgy, followed by a sumptuous Mideast meal. There were about two-hundred and fifty people present, representing approximately seventy-seven families. An excellent start!

Luke M. Powers Catholic High School served as the place of worship for
months, until a storefront on South Saginaw Street was obtained. This then served two functions of this new Maronite community, a Chapel, as well as a Community Center.

In October of 1973, a dinner-dance was held at St. Francis of Assisi Church, the purpose of which was to solicit pledges for this newest Christian Community. The response was far beyond the wildest expectations of even the most optimistic. Money raising projects were started with equally surprising and gratifying results.

Several times the parish was reminded that this project was a fifty-year dream come true. The members had accepted the challenge and this summons manifested itself with a contribution of thirty thousand dollars by the American Lebanese Morning Star Society for an eight acre parcel of land.

Having satisfied the spiritual needs of its members, the church then sought a method of satisfying the ethnic requirements. Several functions with a Mid-East flavor were offered. But none caught the fancy of the parishioners like the breakfasts following the Liturgy each Sunday. Christians, who heretofore hoped for a short Liturgy and fast exit from church, were now lingering with their friends over coffee and breakfast for up to an hour after the Liturgy. Surely God was accepting the good fellowship of His people “breaking bread” as an extension of the Liturgy and He must have repeated, “I am well pleased!”

Saint Charbel

Lebanese Maronite monk & priest - Born May 8 1828 & Died December 24 1898

Saint John Maron (Youhanna Maroun)

First Patriarch of the Maronite Church - Died 707 AD

He is recognized as the founder of the Maronite Syriac Church of Antioch and the pioneer of Lebanese identity.

Saint Marina the monk (Morine / Marinos)

Lebanese Maronite Monk lived in the 5th century - Died uncertain

Recognized as a woman disguised as a monk.

Saint Maron

4th-century Syrian Syriac Christian hermit monk in the Taurus Mountains -Died 410 AD

Founder of the Maronite Church

Saint Rafka

Lebanese Maronite nun - Born June 29 1832 & Died March 23 1914

Blissful Father Antonios Tarabay (Bouna Antoun)

Lebanese Maronite monk - Born in 1911 & Died June 20 1998

Saint Nimatullah Kassab Hardini

Lebanese Maronite monk, priest, & scholar of the Maronite Church - Born 1808 & Died December 14 1858

The Blessed Massabki Brothers:
Abdel Moati Massabki
Francis Massabki
Raphael Massabki

Three Maronite saints from Damascus - Grew up and lived in 19th century & Died July 9, 1860

Gabriel Sionita

Lebanese Maronite Theologian - Born in 1577 - Died 1648

Famous for his role in the publication of the 1645 Parisian polyglot of the Bible.

History of Our Church

Maronite Saints

Saint Charbel Lebanese Maronite monk & priest - Born May 8 1828 & Died December 24 1898

Saint John Maron (Youhanna Maroun) First Patriarch of the Maronite Church - Died 707 AD He is recognized as the founder of the Maronite Syriac Church of Antioch and the pioneer of Lebanese identity.

Saint Marina the monk (Morine / Marinos) Lebanese Maronite Monk lived in the 5th century - Died uncertain Recognized as a woman disguised as a monk.

Saint Maron 4th-century Syrian Syriac Christian hermit monk in the Taurus Mountains -Died 410 AD Founder of the Maronite Church

Saint Rafka Lebanese Maronite nun - Born June 29 1832 & Died March 23 1914

Blissful Father Antonios Tarabay (Bouna Antoun) Lebanese Maronite monk - Born in 1911 & Died June 20 1998

Saint Nimatullah Kassab Hardini Lebanese Maronite monk, priest, & scholar of the Maronite Church - Born 1808 & Died December 14 1858

The Blessed Massabki Brothers: Abdel Moati Massabki Francis Massabki Raphael Massabki Three Maronite saints from Damascus - Grew up and lived in 19th century & Died July 9, 1860

Gabriel Sionita Lebanese Maronite Theologian - Born in 1577 - Died 1648 Famous for his role in the publication of the 1645 Parisian polyglot of the Bible.