About Saint Maron [Maronite] · Detroit, Michigan
Saint Maron Maronite Church is an Eastern Catholic parish in Detroit's east-side neighborhood serving the Lebanese-American Maronite community of metropolitan Detroit and southeastern Michigan. It belongs to the Maronite Diocese of Our Lady of Lebanon of Los Angeles while sitting geographically within the territory of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Detroit. The parish is historically significant as the first Maronite Cathedral in the United States (1966–1978) and is the oldest Maronite church in the Detroit area. Today it offers the Divine Liturgy in English and Arabic and is led by Father Roby Zibara.
- Established
- 1916
- Patron
- Saint Maron
- Rector
- Father Roby Zibara
- Diocese
- Maronite Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon of Los Angeles (geographically within the territory of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Detroit)
Why belong here
Saint Maron offers a welcoming, family-friendly Eastern Catholic home for Detroit-area Maronites and anyone drawn to the Syriac Maronite liturgical tradition. Parishioners gather for the Divine Liturgy in both English and Arabic, with Sunday catechism classes for children, a Maronite Youth Organization (MYO) and Maronite Young Adults (MYA), monthly Adoration, seasonal Rosary in homes, Stations of the Cross, Bible study, an annual picnic, golf outing and other parish events that knit the community together.
Mass times at Saint Maron [Maronite]
Weekly Mass schedule
Adoration times
- Monthly Adoration (announced on the parish announcements page)
Parish History
Detroit's Maronite community grew out of Lebanese immigration in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Before having their own church, Maronite faithful worshipped at Sts. Peter and Paul Jesuit Church and School on East Jefferson. Construction of a dedicated Maronite church at 1555 East Congress St. & Orleans began in 1915, and the inaugural Divine Liturgy was celebrated there on April 30, 1916 by Chorbishop Joseph Shebaia, the parish founder. A rectory, convent and school were added during the pastorate of Rev. Elias P. Asmar, with the school staffed by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Nazareth, Michigan.
- Pre-1916: Maronites worship at Sts. Peter and Paul Jesuit Church, East Jefferson
- 1915: Construction begins at East Congress & Orleans
- 1916: Inaugural Divine Liturgy, April 30 — Chorbishop Joseph Shebaia, Founder
- School served by Sisters of St. Joseph, Nazareth, MI
- Rectory, Convent & School built under Rev. Elias P. Asmar
The Move to Kercheval Avenue (1962–1965)
In 1962, the Urban Redevelopment Agency of Detroit acquired the East Congress property for downtown renewal. Liturgies and social functions were held at Our Lady of Help Church from 1962 to 1965 while the new complex was built. A street in the redeveloped area was named after St. Maron. Construction of the present church, hall and rectory on Kercheval Avenue at St. Jean began in 1965.
- 1962: East Congress property acquired for urban renewal
- 1962–1965: Liturgies at Our Lady of Help Church
- 1965: Construction begins on Kercheval & St. Jean
First Maronite Cathedral in the United States
In 1966, St. Maron was elevated to the first Maronite Cathedral in the United States with the establishment of the first Maronite Exarchate. Bishop Francis Zayek was appointed as the first Maronite bishop to shepherd the Maronite flock in the USA. The cathedral function was transferred to Brooklyn, New York in 1978. In 1994, Pope John Paul II's bull Omnium Catholicorum created a second U.S. Maronite eparchy — the Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon of Los Angeles — with Bishop John George Chedid as its first eparchial bishop.
- 1966: Elevated to first U.S. Maronite Cathedral
- 1966: Bishop Francis Zayek appointed
- 1978: Cathedral function transferred to Brooklyn, NY
- 1994: Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon of Los Angeles established under Bishop John George Chedid
Faith Formation & Youth
Saint Maron runs Sunday catechism classes for children and adults in St. Maron Hall, led by the pastor and lay catechists. The Maronite Youth Organization (MYO) and Maronite Young Adults (MYA) organize regular social and spiritual gatherings, including a Sunday Sports Day, MYO/MYA Sports Night, a Breakfast, and the MYA 'Rosary & Beers With Abouna' evenings. A St. Maron Kids Camp is offered each summer.
- Sunday catechism for children and adults
- Maronite Youth Organization (MYO)
- Maronite Young Adults (MYA)
- St. Maron Kids Camp
- MYO/MYA Sports Night and Sunday Sports Day
- MYO & MYA Breakfast
Devotions & Adult Faith
Beyond Sunday Liturgy, the parish gathers for monthly Adoration, a Month-of-May Rosary hosted in parishioners' homes, Stations of the Cross during Lent, and an annual Bible Study series. Special Feast Day celebrations include the Ascension and the parish Feast of St. Maron in February. A Graduation Mass is offered for high school and college graduates each year.
- Monthly Adoration
- Month of May Rosary in Homes
- Stations of the Cross (Lent)
- Bible Study
- Ascension Feast Day Mass
- Graduation Mass
Parish Life & Fundraising Events
Saint Maron's maintains an active social calendar that supports parish life and fundraising. Annual traditions include a Winter Party / Dinner Dance (in 2026 featuring Divine Liturgy at 6:00 PM, cocktails at 7:30 PM and dinner at 8:30 PM), a Golf Outing, a Cigar Night, and a Summer Church Picnic. Parishioners also gather for Father's Day and Mother's Day celebrations and raffles.
- Annual Saint Maron Party (dinner dance)
- Golf Outing
- Cigar Night
- Church Picnic
- Father's Day and Mother's Day celebrations
- Parish Raffle
Clergy & Staff
Saint Maron is currently served by Father Roby Zibara, pastor. He leads the Divine Liturgies, teaches catechism, and accompanies the MYA at social and spiritual events. Msgr. Louis Baz was pastor as recently as 2016, when he hosted Maronite Patriarch Bechara Peter Cardinal Rai for a Holy Year of Mercy visit.
- Father Roby Zibara — current Pastor
- Msgr. Louis Baz — pastor in 2016
- Chorbishop Joseph Shebaia — parish founder (1916)
Visiting & Contact
The church, rectory and parish hall share a single campus at 11466 Kercheval Avenue at the corner of Kercheval and St. Jean on Detroit's east side, with ample parking. The parish office can be reached at (313) 824-0196 or by email at [email protected]. Inquiries about baptisms, weddings, funerals and other sacraments are typically directed to the parish office.
- Address: 11466 Kercheval Avenue, Detroit, MI 48214
- Phone: (313) 824-0196
- Email: [email protected]
- Web: saintmaronchurch.com
- Ample on-site parking
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Chorbishop Joseph Shebaia1916–
Founder; celebrated the inaugural Divine Liturgy on April 30, 1916
- Rev. Elias P. Asmar
During his tenure the Rectory, Convent & School were built
- Msgr. Louis Baz
Pastor as of 2016; hosted Patriarch Bechara Peter Cardinal Rai