About Saint George [Melkite] · Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Saint George Melkite-Greek Catholic Church is a Byzantine-rite Catholic parish located at 1617 W. State Street in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, founded in 1911 to serve Syrian and Lebanese Christian immigrants who settled on Milwaukee's near west side. As a Melkite Greek Catholic parish, it belongs to one of the Eastern Catholic Churches in full communion with Rome and traces its heritage to the ancient Church of Antioch. Its current parish family is small — about fifty households — but unusually devoted, drawn from continuing Middle Eastern immigrant families as well as converts of every background who have been drawn to the richness of the Byzantine Liturgy. The church building itself, designed by the prolific Milwaukee architect Erhard Brielmaier and dedicated on December 23, 1917, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is the only surviving Melkite church in Wisconsin.
- Established
- 1911
- Patron
- Saint George the Great Martyr
- Rector
- Rt. Rev. Archimandrite Paul G. Frechette
- Diocese
- Melkite Greek Catholic Eparchy of Newton (the parish was historically under the protection and jurisdiction of the Latin-rite Archdiocese of Milwaukee until the establishment of the Melkite Exarchate in 1969)
Why belong here
St. George offers an unusually deep entry into the Byzantine-rite Catholic tradition that traces its roots to the Church of Antioch — 'where the disciples were first called Christians' (Acts 11:26). Visitors are welcomed into a small but deeply committed community of about fifty households, drawn from continuing Middle Eastern heritage families alongside newer immigrants and converts of every background, all celebrating the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom (and on certain days of St. Basil the Great) in English with occasional Arabic and Greek. The parish is also a recognized Milwaukee landmark: tour groups visit throughout the year for the Byzantine architecture, the historic iconostasis, and the 1970-vintage teaching that distinguishes authentic Melkite worship from casual Western imitation.
Mass times at Saint George [Melkite]
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Available by appointment / before Divine Liturgy — contact the parish office
Parish Identity & Heritage
Saint George is one of the Melkite Greek Catholic Churches — an Eastern Church in full communion with Rome that traces its roots to the ancient Patriarchate of Antioch. As the parish's website explains, 'the disciples were first called Christians' there (Acts 11:26), and the Melkites are heirs to the theology and spirituality of the Church Fathers. The parish's identity, in the words of former Bishop John Elya, is that of a community 'fully alive,' faithful to authentic Byzantine tradition and liturgical practice that includes the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom, the Divine Liturgy of St. Basil the Great, Vespers, and Orthros.
- Eastern Catholic in communion with Rome
- Heritage traced to the Church of Antioch
- Byzantine-rite liturgical practice
- Welcomes Middle Eastern heritage families and converts of every background
Founding and Early Years (1911–1917)
The mission was established in 1911 by Father Timothy Jock with the approval of Archbishop Sebastian Messmer of Milwaukee, who gave the parish his protection and juridical oversight until a Melkite diocese could be erected. At first, services were celebrated in a rented former dance hall on West State Street; in 1915 the parish purchased a house at 1615 W. State Street and began planning its permanent church, which opened in 1917.
- First pastor: Fr. Timothy Jock (1911–1916)
- Mission served the growing Syrian-Lebanese community
- Rented former dance hall used for first liturgies
The 1917 Church Building
The cornerstone of the present church was laid on September 20, 1917, and it was dedicated on December 23, 1917. Architect Erhard Brielmaier modeled the façade on the Saint George Church of Ain-Berdel, Lebanon, giving Milwaukee its only Byzantine Revival church — with three bulbous domes, rounded arches, and an interior divided by an iconostasis, exactly as in Orthodox and Melkite practice.
- Cornerstone: September 20, 1917
- Dedication: December 23, 1917
- Architect: Erhard Brielmaier & Sons
- Enlarged in 1925 (south addition by J. Bruecker)
- Byzantine Revival style; only Melkite church surviving in Wisconsin
Mid-Century Decline and the 1970 Revival
By the 1960s, the West State Street neighborhood had deteriorated and most Syrian-Lebanese families had moved to the suburbs; the building was even declared unsafe for liturgical use, so the Divine Liturgy was moved to the parish hall. In 1970, Fr. Ronald Golini was sent as pastor; he, the people, and the inspiration of Archbishop Joseph Tawil's 'Courage to Be Ourselves' pastoral letter gradually rebuilt parish life — installing a new free-standing altar and iconostasis and recovering authentic Byzantine worship. The parish has since been renewed continuously, with the 2011 centennial marking the installation of a new iconostasis, choir stand, and bishop's throne.
- Fr. Ronald Golini (1970–1977, 1978–1979)
- Archbishop Joseph Tawil's 'Courage to Be Ourselves' (1970)
- Authentic Byzantine liturgical renewal
- Centennial in 2011 with new iconostasis, choir stand, and bishop's throne
Modern Parish Life (1995–Present)
Today, the parish consists of approximately fifty households. It is led by Rt. Rev. Archimandrite Paul G. Frechette, who returned as pastor in 2019 after his earlier tenure (1988–1990) at the parish. The community maintains an active Pastoral Council, Property Council, and Finance Council, alongside the St. Anne Ladies Society, a Men's Study Group, and Eastern Christian Formation for children and adults. The parish participates in the wider community through annual clothing and toy collections, meals for the poor and homeless, and partnerships with Marquette University, its nearest neighbor.
- Current pastor: Rt. Rev. Archimandrite Paul G. Frechette (2019–present)
- V. Rev. Philaret Littlefield served 1995–2017
- Approximately 50 households today
- Active partnership with Marquette University
Worship and the Divine Services
The heart of the parish's life is the Divine Liturgy. Orthros (morning prayer) is celebrated on Sundays and major feasts, with the Gospel proclaimed from inside the Holy Place by the priest who — like the Angel at the tomb — then invites the faithful forward to venerate it. Vespers (evening prayer) is celebrated on most evenings, opening a new liturgical day. The Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom is the parish's usual Sunday and weekday celebration, with the Divine Liturgy of St. Basil the Great on certain days; during Great Lent, the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts is offered on weekdays, with the Sacred Mysteries distributed from the previous Sunday's consecration. Services are celebrated principally in English, with some Arabic or Greek used from time to time.
- Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom (most Sundays and weekdays)
- Divine Liturgy of St. Basil the Great (selected days)
- Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts during Great Lent
- Vespers — most evenings
- Orthros — Sundays and major feasts
- Languages: English, with Arabic and Greek used occasionally
Visitor's Guide to the Church
Towards the back of the church the faithful venerate several icons and light candles as offerings. Among them are the ancient icon of St. George in its special shrine, an icon of the Crucifixion of Our Lord, one that portrays Our Lady as an "abbess" (monastic superior), and one of St. Joseph. Books containing the texts of the various divine services are usually available near the entrance. The services are typically celebrated in English, though Arabic and/or Greek may also be used from time to time.
- Ancient icon of St. George in its shrine
- Icons of the Crucifixion, Our Lady as Abbess, and St. Joseph
- Service texts available near the entrance
- Welcoming hospitality to visitors
Parish Ministries and Community Life
Saint George is a small parish with an outsized ministry footprint. Each year it hosts a traditional Middle Eastern dinner, participates in the Arab World Festival, takes part in the Open Doors Milwaukee tour of churches, and welcomes several group tours of the building. Parishioners prepare and serve meals for the poor, sick, and homeless; run annual clothing and toy collections; and sit on a Pastoral Council, Property Council, and Finance Council. Adult and children's Eastern Christian Formation, a Men's Study Group, and the St. Anne Ladies Society round out the formational life of the parish.
- St. Anne Ladies Society
- Men's Study Group
- Eastern Christian Formation for children and adults
- Annual Middle Eastern dinner
- Open Doors Milwaukee participation
- Arab World Festival presence
- Meals for the poor, sick, and homeless
Sacraments and Pastoral Care
The parish celebrates the full range of Melkrite-rite sacraments in conjunction with the Eparchy of Newton. Confessions are heard before the Divine Liturgy and by appointment; baptism, chrismation, marriage, holy orders, and holy unction are arranged through the parish office.
- Confession before Liturgy and by appointment
- Baptism, Chrismation, Marriage through the office
- Holy Unction available
Staff, Office, and Getting Involved
Office staff at the parish include Mr. Benjamin Neumann (Office and Finance) and Mr. Jon Rebholz (Building and Maintenance), supporting the pastor Rt. Rev. Archimandrite Paul G. Frechette. Visitors and prospective parishioners are welcome to call the rectory or email the parish office for information about the Divine Liturgy schedule, confessions, the Eastern Christian Formation program, and any of the parish's many group activities and councils.
- Pastor: Rt. Rev. Archimandrite Paul G. Frechette
- Office and Finance: Mr. Benjamin Neumann
- Building and Maintenance: Mr. Jon Rebholz
- Rectory: (414) 342-1543
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: byzantinemilwaukee.com
- Facebook: fb.me/ByzantineMilwaukee
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Timothy Jock1911–1916
First pastor; organized the Syrian Mission; also served as chaplain of the School Sisters of Notre Dame.
- Rt. Rev. Exarch Cyril (Anthony) Aneid1916–1921
Spearheaded construction of the 1917 church at 16th & State; architect was Erhard Brielmaier.
- Rev. Peter Nahas1921–1926
- Rt. Rev. Archimandrite Joseph Kandalaft1926–1934
- Rev. Raphael Gedah, BSO1934–1963
- Rev. John Nasser1963–1967
- Rev. John Orlowski1967–1968
- Rev. Elias Njaim1968–1970
- Rev. Ronald Golini1970–1977, 1978–1979
Energetic young pastor who rebuilt parish life after the near-collapse of the 1960s; installed new free-standing altar and iconostasis; educated laity in Byzantine tradition.
- Rev. Alexander Kelliher, S.A.1977–1978
Melkite Franciscan friar; served as interim pastor.
- Rev. Damon Geiger, O.Ss.T.1979–1982
Augustinian; arrived with two monks and did much to enhance spiritual life and monastic example.
- Rev. Frank Milienewicz1982–1988
Emphasis on faith formation of youth and parish improvements; focused on serving the poor of the deteriorating neighborhood.
- Rev. Paul Frechette1988–1990
Started adult religious education, an excellent parish library, and became active with the American Syrian Lebanese Club.
- Rev. Cyril Crume1990–1992
- Deacon Dimitry Kamolov1992–1995
Served as parish administrator.
- V. Rev. Philaret Littlefield1995–2017
Longest-tenured pastor of the modern era.
- Mr. Benjamin Neumann2017–2019
Lay administrator during interregnum; continues as Office and Finance staff.
- Rt. Rev. Archimandrite Paul G. Frechette2019–present
Returned to St. George as pastor after prior tenure in 1988–1990.