The History of Our Church
2024 Groundbreaking in Independence for a new enclosed Venue.
2024 Father Patrick Kassab is appointed as the new Pastor of Saint Maron Church.
2019 Father Elias Yazbeck was appointed Administrator of Saint Maron Church.
2019 Monsignor Peter Karam was elected Curial Bishop.
2015 Saint Maron Centennial celebration.
2010 Chapel in Independence was renovated.
2007 A 22-acre property was purchased in Independence, Ohio.
2005 Father Peter Karam became the new Pastor.
2005 Chorbishop Bernard Khachan retired after serving as Pastor for 18 years.
1999 The church was still too small to accommodate the large number of parishioners.
With Chorbishop Khachan’s Guidance, a new section was added to the east side of the
church.
1998 Due to the new neighboring baseball field, limited parking was available for
parishioners. To accommodate this need, the social hall was torn down, and a new two-
story parking garage was erected in its place.
1997 A new addition to the west side of the church was opened to accommodate the
increasing number of parishioners.
1995 Monsignor Bernard Khachan was elevated to the rank of Chorbishop by his
excellency Bishop John Chedid.
1994 Saint Maron Parish became part of the newly formed Eparchy of Our Lady of
Lebanon of Los Angeles under the leadership of Bishop John Chedid.
1988 Father Khachan was given the title of “Monsignor” at the request of Archbishop
Francis M. Zayek.
1987 Father Bernard Khachan became the Pastor of Saint Maron Parish.
1987 Celebration of the Silver Anniversary of Ordination of Chorbishop Dominic Ashkar.
1986 Celebration of the Silver Anniversary of Bishop Francis M. Zayek as Bishop of the Maronite Diocese of the United States.
1986 Chorbishop Dominic Ashkar became Pastor of St. Maron Parish.
1983 Completion of the Administration Building.
1982 Celebration of the elevation of Bishop Francis M. Zayek to Archbishop.
1981 Second renovation of the church.
1978 Father Elias Abi Sarkis became the Pastor of Saint Maron Parish.
1976 Silver Anniversary of Chorbishop Feghali’s service as Pastor of Saint Maron, and
Farewell dinner prior to his departure to a new assignment as Rector of Saint Maron
Cathedral, Detroit, Michigan.
1975 Monsignor Elias El-Hayek became pastor of Saint Maron Parish.
1974 Return visit of Dr. Charles H. Malik for “Day of Prayer for World Peace.”
1971 On the Silver Anniversary of his ordination, Monsignor Joseph Feghali was
elevated to the rank of Chorbishop.
1967 Celebration for Bishop Francis M. Zayek on his appointment as the first Maronite
Apostolic Exarch for the United States.
1965 Golden Jubilee of Saint Maron Church.
1957 Father Joseph Feghali received the title of “Very Reverend Monsignor” from Rome
at the request of Archbishop Hoban.
1955 Bishop Edward F. Hoban consecrated three new altars, as well as windows and
paintings donated by parishioners after the renovation of the church.
1953 Father Joseph Feghali became the Pastor of Saint Maron Parish.
1952 Golden Jubilee of Ordination for Father Joseph Komaid, and Twenty-fifth
Anniversary of his tenure as Pastor; also, date of his untimely death.
1951 Father Joseph Feghali arrived in the United States to become assistant to Father
Joseph Komaid.
1951 The construction of the new rectory was completed, and the old church was sold.
1939 Saint Anthony church on 1245 Carnegie Avenue, Cleveland, was acquired from
the Italians.
1927 Father Joseph Komaid, MLM, became Pastor of Saint Maron Parish
1925 Monsignor Namthallah Beggiani became Pastor until his death, two years later.
1924 Father Anthony Yezbek became Pastor for one year.
1921 Monsignor Louis Zouain replaced Father Chalala.
1916 Bishop John P. Farrelly consecrated the first church.
1915 Two story apartment was purchased and remodeled into church and rectory;
Father Peter Chalala arrived from Baalbek, Lebanon, to be the first Pastor.