About Cathedral of Saint Raymond [Maronite] · Saint Louis, Missouri
The Cathedral of Saint Raymond (Maronite) is a Maronite Catholic co-cathedral in downtown Saint Louis, Missouri, serving as one of two cathedrals (with Our Lady of Mount Lebanon–St. Peter Cathedral in Los Angeles) that form the seat of the Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon of Los Angeles. Founded in 1911–1912 by Lebanese and Syrian immigrants—many from the village of Hadchit, Lebanon—the parish grew from humble beginnings in a former Lebanese neighborhood near the Mississippi River into a Byzantine Revival cathedral that was consecrated on November 16, 1975. The community remains rooted in Maronite liturgical tradition with Divine Liturgy celebrated in Arabic and English, and the parish runs a Lebanese luncheon, religious-education programs, and various ministries that draw worshipers from across the region.
- Established
- 1911 (parish founded); first pastor arrived 1912; current church consecrated 1975
- Patron
- Saint Raymond
- Rector
- Very Reverend John Nahal (Rector)
- Diocese
- Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon of Los Angeles (Maronite Catholic Church, sui iuris church in full communion with Rome)
Why belong here
St. Raymond's is one of only two Maronite Catholic cathedrals in the entire United States, offering a worship experience deeply rooted in the Syriac-Maronite liturgical tradition of the Lebanese Church while continuing pastoral life in English. Parishioners can participate in a vibrant adult and youth community—from Religious Education classes and OCIA formation to a children's ministry, young adult fellowship, weekly coffee hour, the famous Friday Lebanese luncheon, and outreach programs like Mercy Meal and the parish Medical Equipment loan closet. Worship takes place in the incense-rich, Byzantine-Revival interior designed for the Eastern rite, and the cathedral maintains longstanding ties to the homeland—including ongoing special collections through Caritas Lebanon for Christians in southern Lebanon—so belonging here is as much about heritage and identity as it is about a local Catholic parish.
Mass times at Cathedral of Saint Raymond [Maronite]
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Sunday 9:15 AM at the Downtown cathedral (or by appointment)
- Saturday 3:00 PM – 3:45 PM at the Crestwood campus (St. Raymond–St. Elizabeth)
- Sunday 9:45 AM – 10:15 AM at the Crestwood campus (St. Raymond–St. Elizabeth)
Adoration times
- Eucharistic Adoration is offered periodically (see parish bulletin for current schedule)
History of St. Raymond Maronite Cathedral
St. Raymond's traces its roots to the wave of Lebanese and Syrian Catholic immigration that began arriving along the Mississippi River in the late nineteenth century. After the founding of St. Anthony the Hermit Parish in 1898, families predominantly from Hadchit, Lebanon petitioned for a second Maronite parish; the trustees purchased property on what was then LaSalle Street in 1908, the Ladies' Society formed in 1911, and Father Joseph Karam arrived from Lebanon in 1912 as the first pastor. The parish then experienced more than twenty years without a resident Maronite priest until Bishop Francis M. Zayek assigned the young American-born Father Robert J. Shaheen on January 3, 1967; under his leadership the present Byzantine Revival church was consecrated on November 16, 1975. In 2001 Bishop Shaheen moved the see of the Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon to Saint Louis, and a letter from the Apostolic Nunciature elevated St. Raymond's to the rank of co-cathedral. Subsequent decades brought the Maronite Pastoral Center (2002), the shrine to Our Lady of Saint Louis (2007) and the Maronite Heritage Institute (2011), with Bishop A. Elias Zaidan succeeding Bishop Shaheen as third bishop of the eparchy in 2013.
- 1856 — First Maronite Lebanese arrive in Saint Louis
- 1898 — St. Anthony the Hermit Parish organized (later demolished 1940)
- 1908 — Property at 923-25 LaSalle Street purchased for new parish
- 1911 — St. Raymond's Ladies' Society organized
- 1912 — St. Raymond's Aid (Men's) Society organized; Rev. Joseph Karam arrives as first pastor
- 1920 — Parish school in operation (Alexander Mizerany, Virginia Bouhasin)
- 1944 — Chorbishop Joseph Karam dies; Msgr. Marren appointed administrator
- 1967 — Rev. Robert J. Shaheen assigned as pastor
- 1974 — LaSalle Street renamed Lebanon Drive (Ord. #5609)
- 1975 — Present Byzantine Revival church consecrated (Nov 16) by Bishop Zayek
- 1977 — Rectory completed (Feb)
- 1979 — The Cedars Parish Center dedicated by Cardinal Ritter
- 1994 — Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon created
- 2001 — St. Raymond's elevated to co-cathedral; eparchial see moved to Saint Louis
- 2002 — Maronite Pastoral Center completed
- 2007 — Shrine to Our Lady of Saint Louis dedicated
- 2011 — Maronite Heritage Institute opened
- 2013 — Bishop A. Elias Zaidan succeeds Bishop Shaheen
- 2014 — Rev. Wissam Akiki ordained — first married Maronite priest in US in nearly a century
- 2025 — Partnership with St. Elizabeth of Hungary (Crestwood) begins
Clergy, Staff and Bishop
The cathedral is led by its rector under the authority of Most Reverend A. Elias Zaidan, Bishop of the Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon. The current rector, Very Reverend John Nahal, succeeded a succession of rectors after Bishop Shaheen was named eparchial bishop in 2001, and also serves the new partnership parish at St. Elizabeth of Hungary in Crestwood. The bishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Saint Louis, Most Reverend Mitchell Rozanski, is likewise named in the parish masthead, reflecting the deep ties between the Maronite eparchy and the Latin diocese on whose territory the cathedral sits.
- Most Rev. A. Elias Zaidan — Bishop
- Rev. Msgr. John Nahal — Rector
- Rev. Anthony Simon — Associate Pastor (Downtown)
- Rev. Patrick Kassab — Associate Pastor
- Rev. Jad Chlouk — Associate Pastor (Crestwood)
- Deacon Bill Meister
- Subdeacon David Wahby
- Subdeacon Elie Kassab
- Mary Cohen-Ehlen — Parish Secretary (Downtown)
- Felicity McCann — Parish Secretary (Crestwood)
- Pam Olimpio — Religious Education / Faith Formation Director
- Alex Khater — Youth Minister
- Joseph Nesser — Young Adults
- Jean Flanagan — Pro-Life Coordinator
- Kathleen Wahby — Mercy Meal Coordinator
- Patty Renschen — Medical Equipment Ministry
- Penny Arslanian and Dennis Keller, Jr. — Music Directors (Downtown)
- Elisabeth Kenney — Music Director (Crestwood)
Divine Liturgy and Sacraments (Mysteries)
St. Raymond's celebrates the Maronite (West Syriac) Divine Liturgy — historically in the Antiochene tradition — in Arabic and English. Reconciliation is offered each Sunday before the 10:15 AM liturgy and by appointment, while baptism, matrimony and anointing of the sick are scheduled through the rectory.
- Sunday 10:15 AM Maronite Divine Liturgy
- Monday, Wednesday, Friday 12:00 noon weekday Liturgy
- Reconciliation: Sunday 9:15 AM or by appointment
- Baptism: 1 month advance notice to the rectory
- Matrimony: 6 months advance (1 year if canonical issues)
- Anointing / Visitation of the Sick: call the rectory (emergency line on answering machine)
- Masses for the Dead / Intentions: by request through the rectory
Crestwood Partnership Campus — St. Raymond–St. Elizabeth
In partnership with the Archdiocese of Saint Louis, the cathedral's Maronite congregation is served alongside Roman Catholic parishioners at St. Elizabeth of Hungary in Crestwood, Missouri. Latin (Roman Catholic) Masses continue at the historic schedule, while Maronite Rite Masses have been added, creating a unique bilingual and bi-ritual community under Rector Msgr. John Nahal.
- Saturday Vigil: 4:00 PM Roman Catholic, 5:15 PM Maronite
- Sunday: 8:00 AM and 10:30 AM Roman Catholic
- Monday–Friday 8:00 AM Roman Catholic
- Tuesday and Thursday 6:00 PM Maronite
- Reconciliation: Saturday 3:00–3:45 PM; Sunday 9:45–10:15 AM
- Address: 1420 S. Sappington Road, Crestwood, MO 63126 — phone (314) 968-0760
Faith Formation and Religious Education
Faith formation at St. Raymond's spans cradle through adult, with Religious Education classes, OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) for those inquiring into the Catholic/Maronite faith, a vibrant children's ministry, youth ministry led by Alex Khater, and a young-adult fellowship under Joseph Nesser. Registration for the 2026–27 Religious Education year and the annual Vacation Bible School (June 7–11, 2026) is handled by Faith Formation Director Pam Olimpio.
- Religious Education classes (year-round)
- OCIA — once-monthly meetings for adults exploring the faith (contact Jacob Garanzini)
- Vacation Bible School — June 7–11, 2026
- Children's Ministry (Carla Aouad, Margo Kassab)
- Youth Ministry (Alex Khater)
- Young Adults (Joseph Nesser)
- Adult Formation
Music and Liturgical Art
Music at the cathedral is led by co-directors Penny Arslanian and Dennis Keller, Jr., with Elisabeth Kenney directing music at the Crestwood campus. Drawing on the Syriac-Maronite chant tradition, the program supports the bilingual (Arabic/English) sung portions of the Divine Liturgy and the special feasts of the Maronite liturgical year such as the Season of the Glorious Resurrection and New Sunday (Divine Mercy Sunday).
- Music Directors — Downtown: Penny Arslanian and Dennis Keller, Jr.; Crestwood: Elisabeth Kenney
- Lectors
- Maronite chant and Arabic liturgical music
- Special seasons: Epiphany, Lent, Holy Week, Season of the Glorious Resurrection, Feast of St. Raymond
Parish Life, Hospitality and Lebanese Heritage
St. Raymond's has a deep tradition of Lebanese hospitality. The original kitchen volunteers who cooked to keep the parish doors open are honored through a continuing weekly Lebanese luncheon that draws visitors from across the city. After the Sunday 10:15 AM Divine Liturgy, Young Adults host coffee and donuts in the Cedars Hall, and two flagship festivals — the Lebanese Festival and the Autumn Festival — anchor the parish calendar. Pickleball, the Banquet Hall at The Cedars, and ongoing fellowship events keep members of every age connected.
- Weekly Lebanese luncheon
- Coffee and donuts after Sunday liturgy (hosted by Young Adults)
- Annual Lebanese Festival
- Annual Autumn Festival
- The Cedars Banquet Hall rental (Nancy Stevens, event planner)
- Pickleball fellowship (David Miller)
- St. Raymond's Ladies' Society (founded 1911)
- St. Raymond's Aid / Men's Society (founded 1912)
- Mercy Meal outreach
- Parish Ladies' Sodality Retreat
Outreach and Charity
Outreach at St. Raymond's spans parish, city, and homeland. Locally, the Mercy Meal ministry feeds those in need and the Medical Equipment ministry lends items such as wheelchairs and walkers to parishioners and neighbors. The parish is also a designated collection point for Caritas Lebanon, supporting Christians in the border southern towns of Lebanon through cash, check, wire transfer, and stock donations — a particularly poignant witness given the cathedral's roots in the Lebanese immigrant community. A Pro-Life coordinator promotes the Church's teaching on the dignity of life.
- Mercy Meal — Kathleen Wahby (314-276-3062)
- Medical Equipment loan ministry — Patty Renschen (314-517-7044)
- Pro-Life coordination — Jean Flanagan
- Caritas Lebanon special appeal — cash, check, stock or wire
- Protection of God's Children / Safe Environment training for all volunteers and employees
Cathedral Campus and Facilities
The cathedral campus at 931 Lebanon Drive in downtown Saint Louis includes the Byzantine Revival church (1975), the rectory (1977), the Maronite Pastoral Center (2002) which serves as the headquarters of the Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon, the shrine to Our Lady of Saint Louis (2007), and the Maronite Heritage Institute (2011). The Parish Center, 'The Cedars,' is named in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, and hosts the Sunday coffee hour, the weekly Lebanese luncheon, and rented events.
- Church (consecrated Nov 16, 1975) — Byzantine Revival
- Rectory (Feb 1977)
- The Cedars Parish Center (Nov 1979)
- Maronite Pastoral Center / Eparchy headquarters (2002)
- Shrine to Our Lady of Saint Louis (dedicated 2007)
- Maronite Heritage Institute (opened 2011)
- Banquest Hall / event rental
- Maintenance contact via the rectory
Getting Involved — Online Giving and Visiting
Parishioners and visitors can support the cathedral through online giving at straymond-mc.org/online-giving, or by mailing contributions to 931 Lebanon Drive, St. Louis, MO 63104. Newcomers are warmly welcomed at any of the liturgies, at the Sunday coffee hour, or at the weekly Lebanese luncheon; all volunteers and employees must complete the Eparchy's online Protection of God's Children / Safe Environment training before serving.
- Online Giving — straymond-mc.org/online-giving
- Mail: 931 Lebanon Drive, St. Louis, MO 63104
- Safe Environment training — eparchyofourladyoflebanon.cmgconnect.org
- Bulletin submissions — Felicity McCann ([email protected]), deadline 8 AM Tuesdays
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Joseph Karam (later Chorbishop Joseph Karam)1912–1944
First pastor of St. Raymond's; came from Hadchit, Lebanon; died 1944 and was buried at Saints Peter and Paul Cemetery.
- Msgr. Marren of the Old St. Louis Cathedral1944–c.1967
Appointed by Cardinal Glennon as administrator of the parish during the long interregnum when St. Raymond's had no resident Maronite priest.
- Rev. Robert J. Shaheen (later Bishop, then Chorbishop)1967–2001
First American-born priest trained in the Maronite rite; arrived Jan 3, 1967; built the parish from a handful of families using a four-family apartment into a thriving congregation; consecrated new church 1975; named second Bishop of the Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon Dec 5, 2000; oversaw move of eparchial see from Los Angeles to St. Louis in 2001.
- Bishop Gregory Mansour2001–2003
Listed on the parish history as rector of the cathedral during the transition.
- Rev. Andre Mhanna2004–2008
Rector/associate pastor of the cathedral.
- Msgr. Gibran (Jibran) BouMerhi2008–2010
Rector during the early post-co-cathedral years.
- Rev. Gary George, C.Ss.R.2010–2012
Redemptorist priest who served as rector.
- Chorbishop Moussa Joseph2012–2016
Rector of the cathedral.
- Rev. John Nahal2017–present
Current rector; also serves the partnership parish of St. Elizabeth of Hungary in Crestwood, Missouri.
![Cathedral of Saint Raymond [Maronite] in Saint Louis, Missouri — photo 1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Raymond_Maronite_Cathedral_(St._Louis,_Missouri)#/media/File:St._Raymond_Maronite_Cathedral_(St._Louis,_Missouri).jpg "Cathedral of Saint Raymond [Maronite]")