About St Anthony St George Maronite Catholic Church · Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania
St. Anthony – St. George Maronite Catholic Church is an Eastern Catholic parish in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, belonging to the Antiochene Syriac Maronite Church under the Eparchy of Saint Maron of Brooklyn. The Maronite community of the Wyoming Valley traces its origins to 1887, when Lebanese immigrants from Hadeth El-Jebbe and Hardine settled in Georgetown during the anthracite coal boom; from that small cluster grew two parishes — St. Anthony (Park Avenue) and St. George (Loomis Street) — that were formally unified in the late 1990s and are now served from a single campus at 311 Park Avenue. Today the parish celebrates the Divine Liturgy in the Maronite rite, offers weekday and weekend liturgies, a weekly Thursday holy hour, a monthly St. Sharbel Healing Mass, and a children's religious education program. All are welcome to share in the spirituality, Liturgy, and Eastern heritage of the Maronite Catholic tradition.
- Established
- 1887 (community); 1911/1913 (parishes)
- Patron
- St. Anthony the Great and St. George
- Rector
- Rev. Adib Salameh
- Diocese
- Eparchy of Saint Maron of Brooklyn (Maronite Catholic); geographically within the territory of the Roman Diocese of Scranton
Why belong here
St. Anthony – St. George is the spiritual home of Maronite Catholics in northeastern Pennsylvania and welcomes anyone drawn to the Eastern Catholic tradition. The parish offers the full rhythm of Maronite devotional life: a Sunday Divine Liturgy, weekday liturgies Monday through Thursday, a weekly Thursday holy hour with Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, a monthly St. Sharbel Healing Mass, the long-standing Saturday Novena to St. Theresa of the Infant Jesus (observed continuously since the late 1920s), and faith formation for children and youth through MRE and MYO programs. As a parish entrusted with preserving Maronite spirituality, Syriac-rooted Liturgy, and Lebanese heritage in the Wyoming Valley for more than 135 years, it is both a living link to the immigrant pioneers of 1887 and a warm, accessible community for today's faithful.
Mass times at St Anthony St George Maronite Catholic Church
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- A half hour before every Divine Liturgy
- By appointment / upon request
- 5:00 PM on the first Thursday of each month (before the St. Sharbel Healing Mass)
Adoration times
- Thursday after the 9:30 AM Liturgy: Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament all day; Hour of Adoration at 6:00 PM
- First Thursday of each month: Exposition from 10:00 AM through 6:00 PM in connection with the St. Sharbel Healing Mass
About St. Anthony – St. George Maronite Catholic Church
St. Anthony – St. George Church in Wilkes-Barre is an Eastern Catholic Church of the Maronite Rite — one of the twenty-two Rites in full communion with the Pope. The parish is entrusted with the care and guardianship of Maronite Catholics in the Wilkes-Barre area and beyond, and welcomes anyone who wishes to join the community. Its mission is to share the spirituality and Liturgy of the Eastern heritage, its culture, family ethics, and traditions, while reaching out with compassion to refugees, the less fortunate, and the needy in society.
- An Eastern Catholic Church where all are welcome
- Maronite Catholic Parish of the Antiochene Syriac Maronite Church
- Under the Eparchy of Saint Maron of Brooklyn
- Geographically within the territory of the Roman Diocese of Scranton
- A rich legacy of faith and community since 1887
Heritage and Patrons
The parish is named for two great saints of the Christian East. St. Anthony the Great, the father of monasticism, and St. George, the great martyr, are honored as patrons. The parish also has a particular devotion to St. Charbel Makhlouf, the Maronite hermit saint, and celebrates a monthly St. Sharbel Healing Mass.
- St. Anthony the Great — patron
- St. George — patron
- St. Maron — Father of the Maronite Church
- St. Charbel Makhlouf — Maronite hermit saint, honored with a monthly Healing Mass
Beginnings of the Maronite Community (1887)
The Maronite community of the Wyoming Valley traces its beginnings to 1887, when the first two Maronite immigrants — George Bechir Raad (George Reed) and Mansour Dagher (Mansour Decker) — settled in the Georgetown section of Wilkes-Barre Township. They were guided by the Fayour brothers, merchants and bankers from Hadeth El-Jebbe who had migrated to New York City during the American Civil War. With Lebanese industriousness, the pioneers began peddling dry goods door-to-door in the mining communities and prospered, sending for relatives and starting families.
- First Maronite immigrants arrived in 1887: George Bechir Raad and Mansour Dagher
- Welcomed by the Saba family of Fih, Lebanon
- Worshipped at St. Mary's of the Immaculate Conception, St. Joseph's Monastery, and St. Boniface before having a Maronite church
- First Maronite marriage in Wilkes-Barre: George Reed and Catherine Decker, 1892
- First Maronite baptism in Wilkes-Barre: Margaret Decker, 1896
Founding of St. Anthony Parish (1911–1933)
By 1911 the community was ready to build a Maronite church. With the knowledge and approval of the Maronite Patriarch and Bishop Michael J. Hoban of Scranton, Rev. Paul Rizk organized the congregation. Bishop Hoban purchased the Park Avenue and Dana Street property for $5,200 on December 15, 1911. The cornerstone of St. Anthony's was blessed by Bishop O'Reilly on October 29, 1933, before 1,500 people.
- Property purchased December 15, 1911 from Charles and Louisa Maurer for $5,200
- Large loan provided by Mr. Joseph Ferris to expedite the purchase
- Lay committee: Joseph Ferris, John Yazbeck, Joseph Ellis, Salim Badra, Joseph Bechir, Anthony Shiner
- Rev. Peter Elian assigned in winter 1919 began building the basement church
- Cornerstone blessed by Bishop O'Reilly on October 29, 1933
Founding of St. George Parish (1912–1913)
Disagreements over the single location led part of the community to build a second church on Loomis Street. Five founding laymen — Joseph Ferris, Joseph George, Samuel Joseph, Anthony Shiner, and Joseph Thomas — raised $2,500 and purchased land from Anthony Shiner for $800. Isaac Saba, a building contractor from Kfarhatna, Lebanon, was awarded the contract. The first Divine Liturgy was celebrated on Easter Sunday, March 23, 1913, by the founding pastor, Rev. Abdallah Torobay.
- Loomis Street property purchased February 28, 1912
- Building contractor: Isaac Saba of Kfarhatna, Lebanon
- First Divine Liturgy: Easter Sunday, March 23, 1913
- Founding pastor: Rev. Abdallah Torobay (1913–1915)
Unification into One Parish (1997–2002)
Until May 1997, St. Anthony and St. George maintained separate identities. When Msgr. Stephen Hector Doueihi was enthroned as Bishop of the Eparchy of Saint Maron of Brooklyn in February 1997, he made the unification of all Maronites of the Eparchy a priority. Fr. Azar was appointed to guide the merger of the Wilkes-Barre parishes; over several years the financial, liturgical, and societal components of the two parishes were consolidated. On October 13, 2002, Bishop Doueihi bestowed on Fr. Azar the dignity of 'periodeut' with the title of Monsignor in recognition of his work and the 25th anniversary of his ordination.
- Bishop Stephen Hector Doueihi enthroned February 1997
- Fr. Azar drove the unification in Wilkes-Barre
- October 13, 2002 — Fr. Azar made Msgr. and Periodeut
- Duplication of services and programs eliminated; financial, liturgical, and social life merged
Becoming One Church, One Community, One Location (2018–2021)
After unification the parish continued to use two locations — the church at 311 Park Avenue and St. George Chapel at 79 Loomis Street — for several more years. In 2018 all Liturgies and Services were moved to Park Avenue and the Loomis Street chapel was closed. The COVID-19 pandemic shutdown in early 2020 prompted the sale of the Loomis Street property and the construction of a new rectory at 323 Park Avenue. Fr. Adib Salameh moved into the new rectory at the end of January 2021, and for the first time the parish was 'one church, one community in one location.'
- 2018 — all Liturgies moved to 311 Park Avenue; Loomis Street chapel closed
- June 1, 2018 — Fr. Hanna Karam transferred; Fr. Paul Damien assigned as pastor
- October 1, 2020 — Fr. Paul Damien transferred to Fayetteville, NC; Fr. Adib Salameh assigned
- January 2021 — new rectory at 323 Park Avenue completed; Loomis Street property sold
Sacraments
The parish celebrates the seven sacraments of the Catholic Church in the Maronite tradition. Couples must contact the rectory at least six months prior to any wedding date. Families are asked to notify the rectory when a member is ill or hospitalized so that the Anointing of the Sick can be arranged.
- Baptism / Chrismation (Confirmation)
- Marriage — six-month notice to the rectory required
- Anointing of the Sick — by request through the rectory
- Reconciliation — a half hour before every Liturgy, or by appointment
Education: MRE and MYO
The parish runs two complementary faith-formation programs for its young people. MRE (Maronite Religious Education) is the parish's religious education program for children, often serving preschool through 6th grade, aimed at passing on the Maronite faith and traditions and preparing the children for the sacraments. MYO (Maronite Youth Organization) promotes the spiritual welfare of its members, strengthens parish youth in the Maronite faith, and fosters prayer days, fellowship, service to others, and instruction in Maronite religious tradition.
- MRE Program — Sundays 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM
- MYO Program — every other Sunday
- Goals: personal faith, service to others, instruction in Maronite tradition
Contact, Visit, and Give
Visitors and parishioners can reach the rectory by phone, email, or in person. Mass Intentions and other offerings can be arranged through the parish office. The parish also accepts donations via Venmo under the handle @StanthonyStgeorge.
- Church: 311 Park Avenue, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702
- Rectory: 323 Park Avenue, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702
- Phone: (570) 824-3599
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.stanthonystgeorge.com
- Facebook: StAnthony StGeorge
- Venmo: StanthonyStgeorge
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Abdallah Torobay1913–1915
First pastor of St. George Maronite Church on Loomis Street; celebrated the first Divine Liturgy there on Easter Sunday, March 23, 1913.
- Rev. Louis Decker1915–1916
St. George parish.
- Rev. Paul Rizk1916–1922
St. George; established a grammar school conducted by the Sisters of Mercy; also assigned earlier (1911) to organize the new Maronite congregation that became St. Anthony.
- Rev. George Sebhelani1922–1923
St. George.
- Rev. Joseph Awad1923–1926
St. George.
- Rev. Joseph Solomon (Ferqh)1926–1932
St. George; established the Novena to St. Theresa of the Infant Jesus and obtained the statue and relic of St. Theresa from Lisieux, France in 1927; founded the parish band led by Anthony Matzer.
- Rev. John Koury1932–1934 (St. George interim); 35+ years at St. Anthony from 1923
Served as interim pastor of St. George while also pastoring St. Anthony; honored with a testimonial banquet at Hotel Sterling on January 19, 1958, marking the 35th anniversary of his pastorate at St. Anthony.
- Rev. David El-Mouallem (later Chor-Bishop), STD1934–1978
Born in Hardine, Lebanon, on October 10, 1887; served St. George parish for 44 years until his death in 1978.
- Rev. Peter Elianfrom winter 1919
Assigned as pastor of St. Anthony's in the winter of 1919; began work to build the basement church.
- Fr. Azar (later Msgr., Periodeut)appointed after 1997 unification
Drove the unification of St. Anthony and St. George parishes under Bishop Stephen Hector Doueihi; on October 13, 2002 Bishop Doueihi bestowed on him the dignity of 'periodeut' with the title of Monsignor in recognition of his work and the 25th anniversary of his ordination.
- Rev. Hanna Karamuntil June 1, 2018
Transferred by Bishop Gregory Mansour on June 1, 2018.
- Rev. Paul DamienJune 2018 – October 1, 2020
Served as the one parish across two locations; later transferred to St. Michael the Archangel Maronite Church in Fayetteville, NC.
- Rev. Adib SalamehOctober 1, 2020 – present
Came from St. Michael the Archangel Maronite Church in Fayetteville, NC; current pastor who moved into the new 323 Park Avenue rectory in January 2021.