About Saint Elias [Maronite] · Birmingham, Alabama
St. Elias Maronite Catholic Church is an Eastern Catholic parish in the Maronite Antiochene Tradition, located at 836 8th Street South in Birmingham, Alabama's Glen Iris neighborhood. It is the only Maronite church in Alabama and one of roughly 35 parishes in the Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon of Los Angeles, in full communion with the Pope of Rome. Founded in 1910 by Lebanese-American immigrants of the Maronite faith, the parish today numbers over 1,200 members across some 400 families and is celebrated for its distinctive Syriac-rooted liturgy, its brick-gabled church with its prominent central tower, and its tightly-knit community life — capped each year by the well-known Lebanese Food & Cultural Festival.
- Established
- 1910
- Patron
- St. Elias (the Prophet Elijah)
- Rector
- Rev. Elias Yazbeck (Abouna Elias Yazbeck), 16th pastor, arrived July 1, 2024
- Diocese
- Maronite Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon of Los Angeles (within the territory of the Roman Diocese of Birmingham in Alabama)
Why belong here
St. Elias offers a rare Maronite Catholic home in the Deep South — the only Maronite parish in Alabama — where worshippers pray the ancient Syriac-rooted Antiochene Liturgy (in English and Syriac, with incense, chanting, and communion by intinction) while being firmly in communion with Rome. The parish sustains a deep sacramental life with weekday and Sunday liturgies, weekly confession, First Friday Adoration, Sunday rosary, an active Ladies' Altar Society, Maronite Youth Organization (MYO), Junior MYO, Maronite Young Adults (MYA), and SEMA (an adults-35+ social and spiritual group), a parish choir, a Sick & Shut-In Ministry, and a robust annual Lebanese Food & Cultural Festival that distributes proceeds to dozens of local, national, and international charities. Families looking for a small, multigenerational Lebanese-American community grounded in prayer, heritage, and service will find a strong spiritual family here.
Mass times at Saint Elias [Maronite]
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 4:00 PM (4:00–4:55 PM)
- Anytime upon request
Adoration times
- Friday: 11:00 AM–12:00 PM (First Friday of each month only)
- 100 consecutive hours observed during the 2010 Centennial celebration
About St. Elias Maronite Catholic Church
St. Elias Maronite Catholic Church sits in Birmingham's Glen Iris neighborhood and belongs to the Maronite Rite, which evolved from the Antiochene Tradition of Catholicism. According to the parish, the Maronite Rite 'takes its name from a holy hermit called MARON, who lived in the 4th and 5th centuries near Antioch, in Northern Syria'; the Maronite Patriarchate of Antioch and the Whole East was formally instituted in the 7th century with St. John Maron as first Patriarch in 685 A.D., and its residence is now in Lebanon. St. Elias is one of twenty-two churches in full communion with the Pope of Rome, and is the only Maronite parish in Alabama, serving over 1,200 members from some 400 families.
- Mission: a community of supportive and loving believers centered around the Eucharistic Table; a spiritual family called to grow spiritually, put faith into action, and use gifts of time, talent, and treasure as Disciples of Christ.
- By 2031 the parish aims to increase active families to 400.
Church History
Founded in 1910 by Lebanese-American Maronite immigrants and dedicated under the patronage of St. Elias the Prophet in 1914, the parish grew through the 20th century and into the present day. Its current church on 8th Street South in Glen Iris was built in 1949–1950, expanded through 1958, 1962, 1996, 2009, and 2014, and marked its Centennial in 2010 with a Capital Campaign, a 100-hour Adoration, and the NAM Convention.
- 1910 — Father Mobarek Bellama arrives and begins celebrating the Maronite Liturgy at St. Paul's School.
- 1914 — Feb. 14: Bishop E. P. Allen dedicates the converted 6th Avenue South church.
- 1919 — First Confirmation class.
- 1926 — First formal First Holy Communion class (Father Shaboth).
- 1949 — Cornerstone laid for the present Glen Iris church (Pembleton & Mims design).
- 1950 — First Divine Liturgy at midnight on Christmas; baptisms and weddings soon follow.
- 1958 — Church Hall completed.
- 1960 — Golden Jubilee; Maronite Patriarch Paul Peter Meouchi rededicates the buildings.
- 1962 — New Rectory completed.
- 1996 — Multipurpose building added on the north side.
- 2009 — Covered side entrance, Grotto, and Columbarium constructed.
- 2010 — Centennial Year: 100 hours of Adoration, Faith. Family. Heritage Capital Campaign, NAM Convention, visit by Bishop Robert Shaheen.
- 2014 — Maronite Patriarch Bechara Cardinal Peter Rai visits.
- 2021 — Chorbishop Richard D. Saad retires; Father Peter J. Zogbi becomes Administrator; new rectory purchased at 2000 4th Street South.
- 2024 — Administration Building and Sacristy renovation completed; Subdeacons Paul Peter Bolus (March 2) and Danny Bostany (December 7) ordained; Rev. Elias Yazbeck arrives as 16th pastor on July 1.
The Maronite Faith
The Maronite Church was brought to the United States in the early 1900s through Lebanese immigration. Archbishop Francis M. Zayek was the first Maronite hierarch in the United States in 1966; the Eparchy of St. Maron was established in 1972, and the Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon in 1994. The Maronite Liturgy is the Syriac Liturgy of Antioch, ascribed to St. James the Less; liturgical languages are Syriac (close to Aramaic, the language of Christ) and the vernacular — English in the United States — with the words of consecration always chanted in Syriac. Communion is received by intinction, and incense is used throughout the liturgy.
- Incense signifies prayers rising heavenward to God.
- Communion by intinction: the priest dips the Host into the Chalice.
- Maronites cultivate profound adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.
Architecture
The present church building was designed by the firm of Pembleton and Mims, with the design altered significantly before construction. It is a brick gabled nave with a central tower over the entry; the tower features a large six-pointed star window over the entrance, a bellchamber with clock, and a steep pyramidal roof topped with a cross. The interior is divided into nave and altar by a raised bema (platform), with a semicircular apse altar area, and is surrounded by nineteen arched stained glass windows — including the one behind the altar depicting St. Elias.
- First liturgy: midnight, Christmas 1950.
- Adjacent Church Hall: 1958.
- New Rectory: 1962.
- Multipurpose building: 1996.
- Covered side entrance, Grotto, and Columbarium: 2009.
Clergy, Deacons & Staff
The parish is currently served by Father Elias Yazbeck as the 16th pastor, with Frederick J. Pollman as Office Manager. Chorbishop Richard D. Saad serves as Pastor Emeritus after his 1985–2021 pastorate. The parish also has deacons (Mark Ferris, Jimmy Wehby, Joseph R. Stephens), subdeacons (Paul Peter Bolus, ordained 2024; Danny Bostany, ordained December 7, 2024; Samuel Wehby), and a choir directed by Michael Harrison and Deacon Paul Bolus.
- Pastor: Rev. Elias Yazbeck (since July 1, 2024) — [email protected]
- Office Manager: Frederick J. Pollman — [email protected]
- Pastor Emeritus: Chorbishop Richard D. Saad
- Deacons: Mark Ferris, Jimmy Wehby, Joseph R. Stephens
- Subdeacons: Paul Peter Bolus, Danny Bostany, Samuel Wehby
Sacraments
The parish celebrates the full range of Catholic sacraments in the Maronite tradition — Baptism, Confirmation, First Holy Communion, Marriage, Anointing of the Sick, and Confession — and has a long history of first sacraments in its present buildings: the first baptism in the new church on December 31, 1950; the first Confirmation class in the new church on March 22, 1953; the first wedding in the new church on March 26, 1951; and the first funeral in the new church on January 26, 1951. The Ladies' Altar Society maintains a Sick & Shut-In Ministry.
- Baptism
- Confirmation
- First Holy Communion
- Marriage
- Anointing of the Sick
- Confession (Saturdays 4 PM and by appointment)
- Sick & Shut-In visits
Parish Ministries & Organizations
Parish life at St. Elias revolves around several long-standing ministries. The Ladies' Altar Society, founded early in parish history, maintains the sanctuary and altar, promotes the spiritual welfare of its members, assists in parish functions, and performs spiritual and corporal works of mercy. It meets monthly for the Liturgy, a business meeting, and lunch ($10 annual dues) and includes committees for Altar Maintenance, Altar Flowers, Sick & Shut-In Ministry, Kitchen Overseer, Luncheons, Historian, Telephone Committee, and Special Functions. Youth and adult groups include the Maronite Youth Organization (MYO), Junior MYO, Maronite Young Adults (MYA), and SEMA — St. Elias Maronite Adults (a social and spiritual group for adults 35+).
- Ladies' Altar Society (President Sonia Garnem)
- Maronite Youth Organization (MYO)
- Junior MYO
- Maronite Young Adults (MYA)
- SEMA — St. Elias Maronite Adults (contact Jackie Semaan, 205-369-3448)
- St. Elias Church Choir
- Sick & Shut-In Ministry
- Festival volunteer committees
Lebanese Food & Cultural Festival
Since 1999 St. Elias has hosted an annual Lebanese Food & Cultural Festival — its signature community event. The 28th annual festival is scheduled for Friday and Saturday, April 17–18, 2026, from 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM at the church grounds (836 8th Street S). The festival features a full menu of Lebanese foods and sweets (à la carte and platters), Lebanese bands in an outdoor tent, traditional dance demonstrations, displays of Lebanese cultural and religious artifacts, silent auctions, and tours of the stained glass windows. The companion Cedar Run 5K and Cedar Shake Fun Run are held Saturday morning, with free shuttle parking from Remote Lot 1 at UAB.
- 28th Annual Festival: April 17–18, 2026, 10 AM–9 PM
- Cedar Run 5K & Cedar Shake Fun Run: Saturday, April 18
- Free shuttle parking from UAB Remote Lot 1
- Recent net proceeds (2025): ~$241,527 distributed to parish budget, Altar Society, MYA, MYO, Jr. MYO, and to dozens of local, national, and international charities
Faith Resources & Eparchy Links
The parish maintains a Faith Resources page that links the faithful to the broader Maronite Catholic world: the Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon and the Eparchy of St. Maron, the National Apostolate of Maronites (NAM), the Order of St. Sharbel, the Our Lady of Lebanon Shrine, and the Catechism of the Catholic Church. St. Elias is also within the territory of the Roman Diocese of Birmingham, with whom it regularly cooperates for ordinations, civic events, and shared clergy.
- Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon (headquarters: St. Louis, MO; Bishop A. Elias Zaidan)
- Eparchy of St. Maron (Brooklyn, NY)
- National Apostolate of Maronites (NAM)
- Order of St. Sharbel
- Our Lady of Lebanon Shrine
- Catechism of the Catholic Church
Visit, Contact & Location
Parishioners and visitors are warmly welcomed at St. Elias Maronite Catholic Church, 836 8th Street South, Birmingham, AL 35205. The Rectory/Office is reached at (205) 251-5057; general email is [email protected] and the pastor may be reached at [email protected].
- Address: 836 8th Street South, Birmingham, AL 35205
- Phone: (205) 251-5057
- Office email: [email protected]
- Pastor's email: [email protected]
- Office Manager: Frederick J. Pollman
- Directions from I-65 South: exit 6 (6th Avenue South), down ramp, turn left at light, two blocks under freeway viaduct
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Mobarek Bellama1910–
Maronite missionary who founded the parish; arrived Jan. 1910, celebrated first baptisms and liturgy at St. Paul's School.
- Rev. Joseph Koury
2nd pastor; Sultana Wehby organized purchase of the first church organ under his pastorate.
- Rev. George Aziz1920–
3rd pastor (first tenure); transcribed Arabic/Syriac liturgical lyrics phonetically so the choir and people could participate.
- Rev. Joseph Ghanem
4th pastor; buried in Elmwood Cemetery, Lot 490, Block 29.
- Chorbishop Joseph Shebayah
5th pastor.
- Rev. Joseph Shaboth1926–
6th pastor; administered the first formal First Holy Communion class at St. Elias on Feb. 28, 1926.
- Rev. Paul Rizk
7th pastor; served approximately six months.
- Rev. George AzizJuly–1935
8th pastor (second tenure).
- Rev. Joseph Yazbek1935–
9th pastor; led parish during the Great Depression when membership fell to 61 and the church was threatened with closure.
- Rev. Joseph Ferris Abi-ChedidSept. 23, 1940–
10th pastor; reopened the parish with $7.87 in treasury; served ~20 years and was elevated to Chorbishop.
- Monsignor John Trad
11th pastor; organized the parish's first MYO (Maronite Youth Organization).
- Rev. Richard D. Saad1972–
12th pastor (first appointment); ordained chorbishop June 15, 2002; later assigned away in April 2004.
- Rev. Maron Abi-Nader2004–
13th pastor; appointed after Saad's reassignment to Pennsylvania.
- Rev. William J. DeckerJuly 20–
14th pastor.
- Rev. Richard D. Saad (reappointed)April 24, 1985–January 16, 2021
15th pastor; led the Centennial Year 2010 and Diamond Jubilee; retired Jan. 16, 2021; now Pastor Emeritus.
- Rev. Peter J. Zogbi2021–June 1, 2024
Administrator during Saad's retirement; reassigned as Pastor of St. Sharbel Maronite Church, Portland, Oregon.
- Rev. Elias YazbeckJuly 1, 2024–
16th pastor; arrived from elsewhere in the Eparchy to take up the appointment.