About Saint Stephen [Maronite] · Charlotte, North Carolina
Saint Stephen Maronite Catholic Church is a Maronite mission serving the Charlotte, North Carolina region from the Eparchy of Saint Maron of Brooklyn. Consecrated to Saint Stephen, the first Christian martyr, on December 16, 2017 by Bishop Gregory Mansour, the community gathers about 40 families for worship in the ancient Syriac-Maronite tradition. Sunday Divine Liturgy is celebrated at St. Matthew's Catholic Church in Waxhaw, while weekday liturgies and Eucharistic Adoration take place in a small chapel on Brookridge Lane in Charlotte. The mission exists, in its own words, to 'grow a faithful, hospitable Christian Community striving to live by the truth and charity.'
- Established
- 2017
- Patron
- Saint Stephen, the First Martyr (Protomartyr) and First Deacon
- Rector
- Rev. Rudolph (Rodolph) Wakim, Administrator
- Diocese
- Eparchy of Saint Maron of Brooklyn
Why belong here
Saint Stephen is a small but growing Maronite Catholic mission where every family is known by name. The community gathers for the ancient Syriac-Maronite Divine Liturgy in English and Aramaic, supports biweekly Arabic language classes to keep younger generations connected to their heritage, welcomes youth and young adults into parish life, and offers weekday Masses plus weekly Eucharistic Adoration in an intimate chapel. Whether you are a lifelong Maronite, an Eastern Catholic of another background, or a Latin-rite Catholic curious about the Eastern tradition, all are welcomed to register, attend the sacraments, and join a mission that is actively building toward its own church home through its first capital campaign.
Mass times at Saint Stephen [Maronite]
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Available before and after every Divine Liturgy
- Anytime upon request by contacting the Father (704-412-1016)
Adoration times
- Every Thursday at 11:00 am, following the 10:00 am Liturgy, at the Chapel, 2951 Brookridge Lane, Charlotte NC 28211
About the Parish
Saint Stephen Maronite Catholic Church is a Maronite mission of the Eparchy of Saint Maron of Brooklyn, serving the Charlotte, North Carolina region. Its mission statement reads: 'Our Mission is to grow a faithful, hospitable Christian Community striving to live by the truth and charity.' The community gathers about 40 families for the ancient Syriac-Maronite Divine Liturgy, and welcomes Catholics of every rite to attend.
- Maronite (Eastern Catholic) mission, not a Latin-rite parish
- Under the Eparchy of Saint Maron of Brooklyn
- Consecrated to Saint Stephen, the first martyr, on December 16, 2017
History & Founding
The Charlotte Maronite faithful were formally gathered as a mission and consecrated to Saint Stephen on December 16, 2017, by His Excellency Bishop Gregory Mansour. Father Elias Khalil served as administrator at the time of consecration, and Father Patrick T. Hoare of St. Matthew's Catholic Church concelebrated. The same weekend the parish launched its first capital campaign, hosted a Christmas party with dabke and carols, and was named after the protomartyr Saint Stephen — chosen because, in the parish's own words, 'St. Stephen never gave up on his people. He helped a small community grow into a larger one.'
- Consecration Sunday: December 16, 2017
- Bishop Gregory Mansour presiding
- Father Elias Khalil, administrator (2017)
- Father Antoun Youssef, administrator (through October 2020)
- Father Rudolph (Rodolph) Wakim, administrator (October 1, 2020 – present)
Clergy & Staff
The mission is served by its current administrator, Father Rudy (Rodolph) Wakim, who was transferred to Charlotte in October 2020 from Our Lady of Victory Maronite Catholic Church in Carnegie, Pennsylvania, where he had served as pastor for 13 years. Deacon Frank Enderle assists with liturgical ministry. The mission is supported pastorally by the Eparchy of Saint Maron of Brooklyn and by the Diocese of Charlotte (Latin rite).
- Rev. Rudolph (Rodolph) Wakim — Administrator
- Deacon Frank Enderle
Mass, Sacraments & Schedule
Saint Stephen offers Sunday and weekday Divine Liturgies in the Maronite tradition, celebrated in English and Aramaic. Because the mission does not yet have its own church building, the Sunday liturgy is hosted at St. Matthew's Catholic Church in Waxhaw, while the daily Masses and Eucharistic Adoration are celebrated in a small chapel on Brookridge Lane in Charlotte. Father Wakim also offers a Saturday-evening Mass at 7:00 pm at the main St. Matthew's church in Charlotte.
- Sunday Divine Liturgy — 12:30 pm at St. Matthew's, 4116 Waxhaw-Marvin Rd, Waxhaw NC 28173
- Monday Liturgy (St. Sharbel & Novena) — 6:30 pm, chapel
- Wednesday Liturgy (St. Rafka & Novena) — 6:30 pm, chapel
- Thursday Liturgy — 10:00 am, chapel, followed by Adoration at 11:00 am
- Friday Liturgy — 10:00 am, chapel
- Saturday Mass — 7:00 pm, St. Matthew's main church in Charlotte
Sacraments Offered
The mission prepares and celebrates the Eastern Christian sacraments in the Maronite tradition: Baptism & Chrismation (typically celebrated together in the East), First Holy Communion, Marriage, Confession, and Anointing of the Sick. Marriage arrangements must begin at least six months in advance, and Baptism/First Communion preparation is encouraged to start one to several months ahead of the celebration. New parishioners are asked to register by contacting the Parish office.
- Baptism & Chrismation (preparation ~1+ month in advance)
- First Holy Communion (preparation several months in advance)
- Marriage (6 months advance)
- Confession (Mystery of Penance)
- Sick Calls / Anointing of the Sick by request
Liturgy & Language
As a Maronite Catholic mission, Saint Stephen celebrates the Divine Liturgy in the ancient Syriac tradition. Liturgies are said primarily in English with Aramaic (Syriac) — the language of Jesus — used at significant moments such as the Consecration. Arabic classes are also offered so that younger generations can stay connected to the cultural and linguistic heritage of the Maronite Church, which traces its origins to the Syriac monks of Saint Maron in the mountains of Lebanon.
- English and Aramaic (Syriac) in the Divine Liturgy
- Arabic classes every other Sunday at 11:00 am (contingent on participation)
- All Catholics of any rite welcome to attend
Ministries & Community Life
Saint Stephen's life as a community centers on its Youth and Young Adults ministry and its Arabic-language program. Young adults have performed traditional dabke dances at parish celebrations, and the community is connected to the wider Maronite Young Adults (MYA) movement of the Eparchy of Saint Maron. The parish also came together for a Christmas party with carols, dancing, and a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus — a tradition begun at the December 2017 consecration weekend.
- Youth & Young Adults ministry (all ages welcome)
- Arabic Classes (biweekly, Sundays)
- Maronite Young Adults (MYA) affiliation
- Christmas party, dabke, and caroling traditions
Capital Campaign & Building for the Future
At its December 2017 consecration, Saint Stephen launched its first capital campaign — an early signal that the mission aspires to grow from sharing worship space at St. Matthew's into having its own dedicated Maronite church home in the Charlotte region. Bishop Mansour prayed over the community, its families, and the campaign at that gathering.
- First capital campaign launched December 2017
- Currently shares worship space with St. Matthew's Catholic Church in Waxhaw and Charlotte
Devotions & Saints Honored
Two weekly novena-liturgies give the community a chance to honor beloved Maronite saints: Saint Sharbel Makhlūf on Mondays and Saint Rafka (Rebecca) on Wednesdays. The mission has also welcomed the relics of Saint Sharbel for veneration by the local Maronite faithful, drawing hundreds to the Charlotte area.
- St. Sharbel — Monday evening Liturgy & Novena, 6:30 pm
- St. Rafka — Wednesday evening Liturgy & Novena, 6:30 pm
- Relics of St. Sharbel venerated at the parish
Locations & Contact
Saint Stephen's mailing address is P.O. Box 49021, Charlotte, NC 28277. The mission's parish office phone is (704) 412-1016, and email is [email protected]. Sunday liturgy is hosted at St. Matthew's Catholic Church, 4116 Waxhaw-Marvin Rd, Waxhaw, NC 28173. Weekday liturgies and Adoration are held at the Brookridge Lane chapel, 2951 Brookridge Lane, Charlotte NC 28211. Father Wakim also travels to St. Matthew's main church in Charlotte for the Saturday-evening Mass.
- Mailing: P.O. Box 49021, Charlotte NC 28277
- Phone: (704) 412-1016
- Email: [email protected]
- Sunday venue: St. Matthew's Catholic Church, Waxhaw
- Weekday venue: Chapel, 2951 Brookridge Lane, Charlotte
- Website: www.ststephenclt.org
- Facebook: facebook.com/StStephenNc
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Elias Khalil2017 (at consecration)
Administrator who served at the December 16, 2017 consecration of the mission to Saint Stephen by Bishop Gregory Mansour.
- Rev. Antoun Youssefthrough October 1, 2020
Administrator whose appointment was revoked by Bishop Mansour in October 2020 when he was reassigned as Administrator of Saint Ann Church in Scranton, Pennsylvania.
- Rev. Rudolph (Rodolph) WakimOctober 1, 2020 – present
Transferred by Bishop Mansour from Our Lady of Victory Maronite Catholic Church in Carnegie, PA, where he had served as pastor for 13 years.