HISTORY OF ST. MARON CHURCH IN YOUNGSTOWN, OHIO

In February 2024, we celebrated 50 years at 1555 S Meridian Road.  

We thank Joe Manser, for creating a wonderful video to help memorialize and celebrate the last 50 years, 1974-2024.

Video Link: https://vimeo.com/911059002/40f5b8a580

The first Maronite immigrants began to arrive in Youngstown in 1883. Early immigrants attended nearby Catholic churches, especially St. Columba, yet Lebanese immigrants longed for the familiarity of the traditional Maronite liturgy and language. As a temporary remedy, a few priests from Lebanon came to act as “circuit riders,” ministering to spiritual needs. These priests traveled across the country, celebrating liturgy, hearing confessions, and performing marriages and baptisms.

In 1902, St. Anthony Church became the first Maronite church in Youngstown. It consisted of two homes at 118 and 116 South Walnut Street in the block now occupied by the Social Security Administration. Reverend Peter Asmar served as the first Maronite priest there from January to November 1902. Reverend George Emanuel became pastor to the small, struggling parish, which moved in 1905 to the corner of Wood and Hazel Streets into a building, previously occupied by St. Columba. In January of 1906, Father Paul Eisa assumed pastoral duties.

In late 1907, the parish went without a pastor until Reverend Paul Aser assumed pastoral duties in 1908. After financial struggles, the parish temporarily relinquished its identity in 1909.

From 1902 to 1911, a great wave of Maronite immigrants arrived in Youngstown from Jbail and Batroun, Lebanon. Working for wages of $1.10 per day or less, many resided at the Steven’s House, on East Federal Street. Though most spoke no English and possessed little, as Monsignor Peter Eid expressed years later, “They had, however, two things: faith in God and faith in themselves that they would succeed.” Unshaken by their hardships, they were rugged individualists who loved adventure and challenge. Though they intended to return to Lebanon, the First World War forced many to stay and become steelworkers or entrepreneurs in service establishments.

Around 1910, a number of families clustered in an ethnic neighborhood around East Federal Street became staunch supporters of the early Maronite Church in Youngstown. In 1911, Right Reverend Monsignor N. S. Beggiani came to Youngstown from Beit Chebab, Lebanon. In 1912, with the financial assistance of several prominent Maronites, he purchased the building housing Trinity English Lutheran Church at 815 Wilson Avenue for Saint Maron Church and 818 Wilson Avenue for the rectory. By 1922, the Maronites of Youngstown numbered over 700 and Bishop J. Schrembs of Cleveland conferred the first Sacrament of Confirmation to 62 Maronite children. Between 1925 and 1929, four Maronite priests served Saint Maron Parish: in 1925, Reverend Anthony Yazbeck Khairallah; from 1925 to 1926, Reverend Paul Rezk (Maad); from 1927 to 1928, Reverend Peter V. Hyland; from 1928 to 1929, Reverend Emmanuel EI-Khoury Hanna. After briefly serving in Fall River, Massachusetts, in 1929, Monsignor Elias El-Hayek came to serve as pastor and stayed for ten years. While in Youngstown, Monsignor Hayek directed the remodeling of the church, excavation of a cellar for the parish hall, an addition for the sacristy, and purchasing an adjoining house for a parish rectory. His industry and the parishioners’ assistance allowed the debt to be cleared during the Depression.

During the Great Depression, immigrants in Youngstown rapidly grew strong in numbers and influence. In October of 1939, Father Peter A. Eid came to St. Maron, leaving Our Lady of the Cedars of Akron at the request of Archbishop Joseph Schrembs of Cleveland.

Seeking a better building for the parish, in 1943 the church on Wilson Avenue was sold to the Diocese of Youngstown. At the same time, the Shehy School building was purchased from the Mahoning County School. Remodeling of the structure began August 21, 1944. Because building materials were scarce during World War II, early remodeling consisted of excavating a basement and remodeling the south wing and upper hall for use as a temporary church. The third floor was converted into a residence for the priest.

For the second phase of remodeling from 1946-1947, the Bishop of the Diocese of Youngstown loaned the funds for this remodeling phase. B & B Construction Company completed this second phase, which included removal of partitions, refinishing and removing bricks on outside walls, and building the church. On September 24, 1947, the newly remodeled church was dedicated.

The third phase of remodeling began on June 23, 1953 for the rectory and the two halls. St. Maron Church became known as the diamond of the East Side. The City of Youngstown recognized Father Eid’s work by presenting him with the keys to the city twice.

In the 1950s when St. Columba Cathedral burned, St. Maron Church was used as an example of willingness to help pay for the reconstruction. In response, the Latin Church placed an image of St. Maron on the back mosaic of the main altar of the Cathedral.

In 1952, through Father Eid’s efforts and leadership, the idea of a Maronite Seminary in the United States was born. Father Eid also worked to construct the National Shrine of Our Lady of Lebanon in North Jackson, Ohio. In August 1960, the Maronite parishes of Youngstown, Akron, and New Castle, Pennsylvania, planned the construction of the Shrine on eighty acres of land on Lipkey Road, which they purchased for $40,000. Groundbreaking ceremonies on August 16, 1964 were presided over by the Right Reverend Monsignor John L. Lettau, Chancellor of the Diocese of Youngstown. On August 15, 1965, on the Feast of the Assumption of Our Lady, the Shrine was dedicated with several thousand congregants. The Shrine was incorporated in the State of Ohio as a non-profit organization directed by clergy and laymen. On December 13, 1966, the deed to the Shrine was presented to his Excellency Bishop Francis M. Zayek.

Father Eid purchased Cedar Lake in 1955, which opened in 1956 as a summer recreational area for parishioners but public use. Closed in 1970, Cedar Lake is fondly remembered as a place where families gathered for good times.

In 1967, during Father Eid’s pastorate, the Church purchased property on Rush Boulevard for the construction of a new church. These plans were altered, and in August 1969, the 23-acre site of the present church on South Meridian Road was purchased for the purpose of building a new church.

After serving St. Maron Church for 32 years, Father Eid retired in 1970. Father Eid remained active at St. Maron, the National Shrine, and Our Lady of the Cedars in Akron until his death in 1982.

After Monsignor Eid’s retirement, Reverend Wadih Peter Tayah was assigned as pastor of St. Maron Church. During his tenure, planning and construction of Bet Maroon and The Maronite Center, took place. On April 9, 1972, groundbreaking ceremonies for the construction of Bet Maroon occurred. The buildings, designed by K. Anthony Hayek and Associates, include the church, rectory, and hall. B & B Construction started work on August 26, 1972. On October 29, 1972, Bishop Francis M. Zayek blessed the cornerstone of the new church. The symbol engraved on the cornerstone is a replica of a 9th Century symbol found in the ruins of the Maronite Monastery of Qala’ at Sima’an in North Syria.

Near the Feast Day of St. Maron, on February 25, 1973, Bishop Zayek officially opened The Maronite Center. A special Liturgy and banquet was held.

On June 7, 1973, Father Tayah moved from his Shehy Street residence to the new rectory. The first liturgy celebrated at the new church was Christmas 1973. However, the new church was not officially dedicated until the Feast of St. Maron, February 9, 1974, at a liturgy celebrated by Bishop Zayek, Bishop James W. Malone, and Father Tayah.

On October 20, 1974, upon request of Pastor W. Peter Tayah, Joseph Nohra was ordained to the sub-deaconate by Bishop Zayek. Permission was given him to distribute communion. On December 7, 1980, Joe Nohra was ordained deacon.

Upon Father Tayah’s departure to a parish in Miami, Florida, in August of 1975, Father Dominic Ashkar was assigned to St. Maron. In 1976, Father Joseph Amar joined Father Ashkar at St. Maron. In the same year, Father William Bonczewski was assigned to the National Shrine on July 8 to replace Father Michael Kail.

Groundbreaking ceremonies for the much-needed St. Ephrem Educational Center were held in March 1977 and construction began in April. St. Ephrem Center currently houses the Maronite Catholic Formation (MCF) classrooms, including a large finished basement area. The Center also houses a library comprised mainly of a collection on Middle East history, religion, maps, art and language. The need for the Center was seen as “a responsibility to provide a forum within which the things we value as a community can be passed on.”

In July 1981, a parish recreation area, consisting of a covered pavilion with restrooms, playground, a baseball field, and a parking area was dedicated. In August 1981, the first parish festival was held. Proceeds from the annual event were directed into an educational fund. 1983 marked the actual establishment of the Education Foundation, and the first scholarships were awarded in 1987.

To enhance the beauty and religious significance of St. Maron, the bell tower was dedicated and inscribed, “Dedicated to the heralds of our faith, the priests who have served us. February 9, 1985.”

In 1986, carpeting and paint updated the church for the 75th Anniversary celebration. The year was especially marked by the privilege to celebrate Monsignor Ashkar’s elevation to the office of Chorbishop, although he was reassigned to St. Maron’s in Cleveland at the close of the 75th year. St. Maron of Youngstown warmly welcomed Father James Khoury, who served the parish until 1988, when heart troubles required him to return home to Florida. Father Anthony J. Salim was assigned as the new pastor in October of 1988, serving for eleven years; he left to serve the Maronite Seminary in Washington, D.C.

After Father Anthony Salim left the parish, Associate Pastor Gary George was promoted to Pastor in 1999, where he led the congregation with the help of three sub-deacons and Deacon Joe Nohra. Simultaneously, Father Gary George served the Maronite youth of the country in the two Eparchies by leading retreats and workshops. In the winter of 2002, the expansion of Antioch Hall was undertaken along with the extension of the sacristy and addition of the multipurpose room to St. Ephrem’s Center. On August 14, 2009, the parish celebrated the ordination of a second permanent Deacon, William George. In April of 2010, after eleven years, Father Gary was reassigned.

Chorbishop Michael Kail became the new and pastor in 2010. Chorbishop Kail lead the church with the support of Reverend Deacon William George, Sub-deacon Albert Dohar, and Subdeacon Dr. James Essad. Under Chorbishop Kail’s leadership, St. Maron was an active Maronite parish with a full-range of spiritual, educational and liturgical programs; on a social level the parish hosts an annual Back to Cedar Lake Parish Picnic, Wine Taste, Lenten Fish Fry dinners, Annual Lebanese Food Fest as well as many smaller events help keep the parish functioning as a true family. The Maronite Youth Organization (MYO) of the church is also involved in many events within the parish, eparchy, and community.

In December of 2019, Chorbishop Michael Kail retired, and Fr. Tony Massad was assigned to be pastor in January of 2020.  The first few years of Fr. Tony’s tenure were a challenge for the parish in navigating through the Coronavirus pandemic, but being a parish family who are dedicated and resilient, the parish was able to push through by God’s grace and continue to thrive.  In the summer of 2021 the parish restarted the Annual St. Maron’s Fun Fest and continued having both social and spiritual events to help enrich the parish community.  On February 10th, 2024, the parish celebrated 50 years of being at 1555 S Meridian Rd, this is the home the parish community has been at the longest throughout it’s 113 year history, and hope that God will grant us another 50 years of faith and success.