About Our Lady of Lebanon [Maronite] · Easton, Pennsylvania
Our Lady of Lebanon is a Maronite Catholic parish in Easton, Pennsylvania, serving the local Lebanese-American community — almost entirely descended from Kfarsghab, a mountain village in northern Lebanon — since April 1, 1931. Celebrated in the Antiochene-Syriac Maronite Rite, it is the spiritual home of immigrant families who first began settling in Easton in 1880 and worships today in English and Arabic under the Eparchy of Saint Maron of Brooklyn. The parish operates from a church and social hall at 54 South 4th Street (corner of 4th and Ferry) that was built from the ground up in 1986–87, the third sanctuary in the parish's history, and is led by Reverend Kamil Al-Chouefati with Deacon Adonis El-Asmar.
- Established
- 1931
- Patron
- Our Lady of Lebanon (Sayyidat Lubnan)
- Rector
- Reverend Kamil Al-Chouefati
- Diocese
- Eparchy of Saint Maron of Brooklyn (Maronite Catholic, in full communion with the Holy See); geographically within the territory of the Roman Diocese of Allentown
Why belong here
Our Lady of Lebanon is the spiritual home of Easton's Kfarsghabi-American community — a tightly connected Lebanese-American congregation that still celebrates the Maronite (Antiochene-Syriac) Liturgy of St. James in both Arabic and English, just as it has done since 1931. Parishioners enjoy an unusually rich parish life for a community of its size: a long-running MYO (grades 7–12), an MYA young-adult group (ages 18–35), the Maronite Christian Formation program (pre-school through 8th grade with First Communion in 2nd grade), a youth and adult choir, the centenarian St. Theresa Sodality and Holy Name Society (merged in 2024) that fund scholarships and humanitarian causes worldwide, the Cedarettes Lebanese folk-dance troupe, and the Heritage Day celebration that keeps the village of Kfarsghab and its diaspora alive across generations. With weekday and weekend Divine Liturgies in English (and Sundays in Arabic), confession before Mass, and a pastor and deacon who regularly visit the sick and homebound, it offers a rare blend of Eastern-Catholic tradition, Lebanese heritage, and small-parish warmth.
Mass times at Our Lady of Lebanon [Maronite]
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 4:15 PM – 4:45 PM
- Sunday 9:30 AM – 9:50 AM (in Arabic before the Arabic/English Liturgy)
Parish Identity & Eparchy
Our Lady of Lebanon is a parish of the Eparchy of Saint Maron of Brooklyn — the Maronite-Catholic diocese (in full communion with Rome) that covers Maronite faithful across the Eastern United States from Maine to Florida. Geographically the parish lies within the territory of the Roman Diocese of Allentown, but pastorally and liturgically it belongs to Bishop Gregory J. Mansour's Eparchy. The Maronite rite uses the West Syriac Liturgy of St. James, traditionally celebrated in Syriac/Arabic; here it is prayed bilingually in Arabic and English. The full Antiochene-Syriac liturgical tradition is preserved through congregational Arabic hymnody, the annual Cycle of the Mysteries of the Cross and the Sundays of the Resurrection (Subara), and the feast of Our Lady of Lebanon, patroness of Lebanon and symbol of the Kfarsghabi homeland.
- Eparchy: Saint Maron of Brooklyn (stmaron.org)
- Geographical area: Roman Diocese of Allentown
- Rite: Maronite (Antiochian)
- Languages: English and Arabic
- Bishop: Most Rev. Gregory J. Mansour, S.T.L.
History of the Parish
The parish traces its roots to the 1880 arrival of Karam and Hala Abi Arab, the first immigrants from Kfarsghab, North Lebanon, to the United States. Between 1901 and 1916 Kfarsghabi families in Easton worshipped at St. Anthony's, St. Joseph's, and St. Bernard's, where Italian pastor Father John Dario welcomed them and allowed Arabic devotions. In 1929 the Sassine Committee (led by John Boulous Sassine) raised the $18,000 purchase price of the former St. Anthony's Italian Church at 321 Lehigh Street; on April 1, 1931 Archbishop of Philadelphia formally established Our Lady of Lebanon Maronite Catholic Church and Msgr. Francis Lahood celebrated the first Mass that same day. (See the full 'history' field above for the complete chronology through three sanctuaries — Lehigh Street, the 1969 Lutheran-conversion on 4th and Ferry, and the present 1987 purpose-built church.)
- Founding date: April 1, 1931
- First sanctuary: 321 Lehigh Street (former St. Anthony's, purchased 1929/1931)
- Second sanctuary: 4th & Ferry Streets (former Christ Lutheran, 1844 structure, purchased 1968)
- Current sanctuary: dedicated October 18, 1987 by Archbishop Francis M. Zayek
- 1955 flood: Blessed Sacrament sheltered at St. Bernard's
- 1966: placed under the Maronite Apostolic Exarchate under Bishop Francis M. Zayek
- 1969: 'Lebanese Town' on Lehigh Street demolished by Easton's Redevelopment Authority
Clergy & Staff Today
The parish is currently led by Reverend Kamil Al-Chouefati, Pastor, in his second tour of duty at the parish (August 2024 to present). He is assisted by Deacon Adonis El-Asmar. The rectory office is staffed Monday through Thursday, 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM; for pastoral emergencies, Fr. Kamil can be reached directly on his cell phone at 610-739-8586.
- Pastor: Reverend Kamil Al-Chouefati
- Deacon: Adonis El-Asmar
- Rectory: 610-252-5275 / [email protected]
- Pastoral emergencies: Fr. Kamil cell 610-739-8586
Parish Organizations & Ministries
The parish runs a remarkably dense network of ministries for a community of its size — a testament to more than nine decades of lay formation. The Maronite Youth Organization (MYO, grades 7–12) and Maronite Young Adults (MYA, ages 18–35) carry the spiritual and social life of young parishioners; both maintain elected boards and meet regularly. Maronite Christian Formation (MCF, aka Knights of Mary) provides religious education for pre-school through 8th grade, with First Penance and First Holy Communion in 2nd grade, meeting every Saturday 4:00–4:45 PM from October to May. The St. Theresa Sodality — the oldest parish organization, founded by Fr. Hanna Nehme in 1934 — and the Holy Name Society merged in 2024 into one combined organization (2024 President Maynard Melhem, Vice-President Naomi Koerwitz, Secretary Lila Melan, Treasurer Labebe Buesing, Outreach Jordan Isaac). The Cedarettes Lebanese folk-dance troupe performs at parish and community events; Heritage Day is the parish's signature cultural festival. Project Hope of Easton is a long-running outreach collaboration.
- MYO (grades 7–12) — current board led by President Maya Jacob
- MYA (ages 18–35) — monthly gatherings, board led by President Jennie Melhem
- MCF / Knights of Mary (pre-school – 8th grade) — Coordinator Deanna Baurkot
- St. Theresa Sodality (founded 1934) — merged with Holy Name Society in 2024
- Holy Name Society (scholarships & fund-raising) — merged with St. Theresa Sodality in 2024
- Cedarettes (Lebanese folk dance group)
- Heritage Day (annual Lebanese cultural celebration)
- Project Hope of Easton
- Hospital visits and homebound ministry
Faith Formation (Maronite Christian Formation / Knights of Mary)
Maronite Christian Formation (MCF) is the parish's religious-education program for children from pre-school through 8th grade. Children prepare for and receive First Penance and First Holy Communion in 2nd grade. Classes are held every Saturday from 4:00 to 4:45 PM, October through May, with summer field trips. The current MCF team is led by Coordinator Deanna Baurkot, with grade-level instructors Marie Hanni (1st), Deanna Baurkot (2nd), Sarah Botros (3rd–4th), and Rashel Karam (5th). Historically the Sisters of St. Joseph taught the CCD program under Msgr. Sami Hayek beginning in the early 1980s.
- Coordinator: Deanna Baurkot
- 1st grade: Marie Hanni
- 2nd grade (First Communion): Deanna Baurkot
- 3rd & 4th grade: Sarah Botros
- 5th grade: Rashel Karam
- Saturday 4:00–4:45 PM, October–May
Sacraments & Pastoral Care
The parish celebrates all seven Catholic sacraments in the Maronite rite. Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation, Matrimony, Anointing of the Sick, Reconciliation, and Holy Orders are coordinated through the rectory. The earliest sacraments recorded in the parish history are the baptisms of twins Elizabeth and Esther Simon (April 19, 1931), the marriage of Joseph Peter Isaac and Catherine Elias Canone (September 4, 1931), the funeral of Margaret Sar Young (April 2, 1931), and the confirmation of Luke Shaheen (May 13, 1932) by Bishop O'Hara of Philadelphia. In pastoral emergencies, Fr. Kamil can be reached at 610-739-8586; the rectory prefers that only the family contact him directly in such cases.
- Baptisms, First Communion, Confirmation, Marriage, Anointing of the Sick, Reconciliation (see Mass/Confession sections)
- Pre-marriage preparation required
- Pastoral emergency cell: 610-739-8586
Facilities & Visiting
The parish complex at 54 South 4th Street in Easton comprises the 1987-vintage church (seating 400) and a parish social hall (capacity 500) on a 12,000-square-foot lot at 4th and Ferry Streets — the first purpose-built Maronite complex in the parish's history. It is fully single-story and accessible, a deliberate improvement over the previous sanctuary whose 26-step climb to the altar had been inaccessible to parishioners with disabilities. The hall (610-252-9424) hosts Heritage Day celebrations, the Cedarettes performances, MYO/MYA gatherings, the Diamond Jubilee Banquet of 2006, and is available for parish and community events. The rectory office (610-252-5275) is open Monday–Thursday 10:00 AM–2:00 PM, and the bulletin and online giving are available through the parish website.
- Current complex: 1987 (church) + 1986 (hall)
- Accessible single-story design replacing an inaccessible older sanctuary
- Rectory office: 610-252-5275 (Mon–Thu 10–2)
- Hall: 610-252-9424
- Online giving and weekly bulletin via ololeaston.org
Kfarsghabi Heritage & Lebanese-American Identity
Our Lady of Lebanon is best understood as the parish-church of Easton's Kfarsghabi-American community — nearly the entire congregation traces its ancestry to Kfarsghab, a Maronite mountain village in North Lebanon. Heritage Day, celebrated annually at the parish, is the living expression of this heritage, featuring Cedarettes folk-dance performances, Arabic liturgical music, traditional food, and gathering among the descendants of the 1880 founders. The parish's identity is rooted in the priestly, family, and village ties that have bound the community together across more than a century of American life — from the peddler-agent networks of Jirjis Faour, through the Great Depression and the loss of Lehigh Street, to today's bilingual Liturgy and youth programs.
- Kfarsghab, North Lebanon — ancestral village of the congregation
- Cedarettes Lebanese folk-dance group
- Heritage Day (annual parish festival)
- 1880: first Kfarsghabi immigrants arrived (Karam and Hala Abi Arab)
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Istfan (Stephen) Korkemaz1916–1929
Visiting priest serving the Maronite community in Easton from other Lebanese parishes before the parish was founded.
- Chor-Bishop (Chorepiscopus) Joseph Yazbek1916–1929
Traveled from out of town with Fr. Korkemaz and Fr. Anthony K. Yazbek to minister to the small Lebanese colony.
- Rev. Anthony K. Yazbek1916–1929
Visiting priest, served alongside Korkemaz and Chor-Bishop Yazbek.
- Rev. Louis Zouwein1929
Early visiting priest during the purchase negotiations for the Lehigh Street church.
- Rev. Emmanuel El-Khoury Hanna1929–1931
Sent by the Archbishop of Philadelphia while the purchase of 321 Lehigh Street was closing; celebrated the first recorded parish marriage (Baurkot–Baurkot, October 26, 1930).
- Msgr. Francis Lahood1931–1933
First pastor. Said the first Mass on April 1, 1931. Taught the new choir the Arabic Mass, hymns, and devotions; returned informally in 1933 to install marble side altars.
- Rev. Lawrence Birgmanos1933
Brief tenure in 1933, between Lahood and Nehme.
- Rev. Hanna Nehme1933–1936
Continued Arabic-language music instruction; founded the St. Theresa Sodality in 1934 with Geraldine Burkot Boulous as first president.
- Rev. Ignatius Sayegh1936–1941
Strengthened the Sodality's spiritual program and deepened parish devotional life.
- Rev. William Magee1941–1952
Introduced the Sodality's social dimension and fund-raising sponsorship; inaugurated the May Crowning (1943); led the parish through the 1955 flood (Blessed Sacrament sheltered at St. Bernard's); formalized the Holy Name Society and a Junior Sodality.
- Rev. Norman S. Peter1952–1972
First American-born Lebanese priest; a Latin-Rite priest from the Diocese of Buffalo who obtained Roman permission to celebrate both Latin and Maronite Masses. Introduced the envelope collection system, taught the choir the Jinnaz and Bukhoor Hymns, purchased 323 Lehigh Street, extended the rectory, opened a youth center for the MYO, and added a kitchen and bar to the hall. Served 20 years.
- Msgr. George Webby1972
Brief 1972 tenure.
- Msgr. Peter Eid1972
Brief 1972 tenure.
- Rev. Jerome Pavlik, O.F.M.1972
Franciscan (Order of Friars Minor) who served the parish briefly in 1972.
- Rev. Bernard Khachan1972–1974
First pastorate in the new parish transition following the Lehigh Street demolition and Ferry Street relocation.
- Rev. Harris Zogheib1974–1980
Stabilized the parish at the Ferry Street location in the difficult years after the urban-renewal relocation.
- Msgr. Sami Hayek1980–2006
Longest-serving pastor (26 years). Arrived from New Castle, PA in January 1980. Built a strong CCD program with the Sisters of St. Joseph, established a youth choir for the Maronite Mass in English, founded the Cedarettes Lebanese folk-dance troupe, and led the multi-year capital campaign (raising ~$300,000) that demolished the Ferry Street sanctuary in early 1986 and built the present church and hall, dedicated October 18, 1987 by Archbishop Francis M. Zayek. Honored at a 530-person banquet at the Holiday Inn, Fogelsville, PA on July 30, 2006 with a Pontifical Liturgy of Thanksgiving celebrated by Bishop Gregory J. Mansour on October 14, 2006.
- Rev. Kamil Al-Chouefati2006–2008
Came from St. Anthony's Maronite Church in Glen Allen, VA in January 2006; assumed leadership July 23, 2006; coordinated Msgr. Sami's retirement celebration.
- Rev. Paul Damien2008–2014
Pastor of Our Lady of Lebanon, Easton.
- Rev. Simon El Hajj2014–2018
Pastor of Our Lady of Lebanon, Easton.
- Rev. Youssef Keikati2018–2024
Pastor of Our Lady of Lebanon, Easton; six-year tenure ended 2024.
- Rev. Kamil Al-Chouefati2024-08 to present
Returned in August 2024 for a second pastorate; currently serving as pastor alongside Deacon Adonis El-Asmar.