About Saint George [Maronite] · Dover, New Hampshire
Saint George Maronite Catholic Church is a small Eastern Catholic parish of Maronite Rite in Dover, New Hampshire, United States. Founded in 1948 by Lebanese immigrants who had settled on the Seacoast beginning in the late 1800s and early 1900s, the parish is a member of the Eparchy of Saint Maron of Brooklyn while being geographically located within the territory of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Manchester. The Sunday Divine Liturgy is celebrated in English and Syriac — the original language of Christ — and the parish is known in the community for its warm, communal worship and its outreach, including opening its doors as a warming center for the homeless during severe winter weather.
- Established
- 1948
- Patron
- Saint George
- Rector
- Rev. Jebrael Moussallem
- Diocese
- Eparchy of Saint Maron of Brooklyn (geographically within the territory of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Manchester, New Hampshire)
Why belong here
St. George Maronite Catholic Church offers a warm, small-community experience of the ancient Maronite liturgical tradition, with the Sunday Divine Liturgy celebrated in English and Syriac — the original language of Christ. The parish welcomes all who seek to worship and know Christ and emphasizes communal worship, kindness, and outreach, including a visible ministry of opening its doors as a winter warming center for homeless neighbors in Dover. For Maronite Catholics in the New Hampshire Seacoast, it is the only local parish of their rite and a center for preserving Lebanese Catholic heritage.
Mass times at Saint George [Maronite]
Weekly Mass schedule
History & Heritage
St. George Maronite Catholic Church in Dover was founded by a group of dedicated Lebanese immigrants who had begun settling on the New Hampshire Seacoast in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Many worked in the mills and merchandise trades of the region. In the mid-1930s these families formally organized the St. George Maronite Society, with about 50 members, to preserve their spiritual and cultural heritage. In 1941 the Society purchased the former Lothrop Memorial Hall on Chapel Street and renovated it into the present church. The parish was formally established in 1948, with the Reverend Roukas Najjar becoming the first Maronite priest assigned to the community in 1949 and serving until his death in 1969.
- Established 1948 (Diocese of Manchester directory)
- St. George Maronite Society founded in the mid-1930s with ~50 members
- Lothrop Memorial Hall purchased and converted into the church in 1941
- First Maronite priest: Rev. Roukas Najjar, 1949–1969
- Later pastors included Father Bartholomew Leon, O.S.B. and Father Joseph Khoueiry
Maronite Identity & Worship
St. George belongs to the Maronite Catholic Church, which traces its roots to the early Christians of Antioch — where "they were called Christians for the first time" (Acts 11:26). The Maronite Church is in full communion with the See of Peter in Rome and is tied to Lebanon as its spiritual homeland and the land of its patriarch and people. At St. George, the Sunday Divine Liturgy is celebrated in both English and Syriac — the original language of Christ — allowing the community to participate fully in this Eastern Catholic tradition while remaining part of the universal Catholic Church.
- Maronite Rite, in full communion with Rome
- Sunday Liturgy in English and Syriac
- Heritage rooted in the early Christians of Antioch
- Canonical home: Eparchy of Saint Maron of Brooklyn
Mass & Service Schedule
The parish celebrates the Divine Liturgy several times throughout the week. Weekend Masses are Saturday evening and Sunday morning, with additional weekday celebrations on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Holy Day Masses are scheduled at 5:00 PM. The parish also live-streams and records Mass on its Facebook page for those who cannot attend in person.
- Saturday: 4:30 PM
- Sunday: 10:30 AM (English & Syriac)
- Monday: 5:00 PM
- Wednesday: 6:00 PM
- Friday: 6:00 PM
- Holy Days: 5:00 PM
- Live-stream/recorded Mass available via Facebook
Clergy & Leadership
The parish is currently served by Rev. Jebrael Moussallem, listed as clergy for St. George on the Diocese of Manchester parish directory. The Diocese directory also lists the rectory address at 46 Hough Street, Dover. Past pastors of record include Rev. Roukas Najjar (1949–1969), Father Bartholomew Leon, O.S.B. (serving in 2001), and Father Joseph Khoueiry (identified as pastor in 2015).
- Rev. Jebrael Moussallem — current pastor
- Rev. Roukas Najjar — first Maronite priest, 1949–1969
- Father Bartholomew Leon, O.S.B. — pastor around 2001 (50th anniversary)
- Father Joseph Khoueiry — pastor around 2015
Community Outreach
Beyond its liturgical life, St. George has become a visible partner in the Dover community's response to homelessness and severe winter weather. In December 2019 the parish opened its facility as an emergency warming center during a winter storm, working with local homeless advocates and the Dover Fire Department's emergency management office. Volunteers staffed the overnight shelter and provided blankets and sleeping bags to those in need. The parish has indicated a desire to be 'an example to other churches' in serving vulnerable neighbors.
- Emergency warming center ministry during winter storms
- Volunteer-based shelter for homeless residents of Dover
- Warming center entrance accessed from Mechanic Street
- Partnership with Dover Fire Department / Emergency Management and local homeless advocates
Visit, Contact & Location
St. George Maronite Catholic Church is located at 15 Chapel Street, Dover, NH 03820-2210. The parish can be reached by phone at (603) 742-1149 and by email at [email protected]. Mailing address is P.O. Box 2210, Dover, NH 03821. The rectory is at 46 Hough Street, Dover, NH 03820. Visitors are warmly welcomed to the parish's Sunday Divine Liturgy.
- Address: 15 Chapel Street, Dover, NH 03820-2210
- Phone: (603) 742-1149
- Email: [email protected]
- Rectory: 46 Hough Street, Dover, NH 03820
- Mailing: P.O. Box 2210, Dover, NH 03821
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Roukas Najjar1949–1969
First Maronite priest assigned to the parish; served until his death in 1969.
- Father Bartholomew Leon, O.S.B.
Served as priest at St. George in 2001, during the parish's 50th anniversary celebrations.
- Father Joseph Khoueiry
Listed as pastor of St. George Maronite Church in Dover in 2015 parish publications.