The Manhattan Maronite Catholic Community
In 2012, a small group of Maronite faithful in Manhattan, under the name Maronite Mission in Manhattan, reached out to His Excellency Bishop Gregory Mansour to request the celebration of the Maronite Divine Liturgy on Sundays, twice a month, at the Saint Regis High School Chapel located at 55 East 84th Street, New York City.
The Beginning (2012)
Responding to this pastoral need, Bishop Gregory Mansour appointed Father John Yunis and Father Dany Abi Akar to alternate in celebrating the Divine Liturgy. They were assisted by Subdeacon George Jabbour and Subdeacon Michel Rabbah, who helped coordinate and serve the growing community.
From these humble beginnings, the Mission continued its spiritual journey — moving from one church to another — always united in prayer, faith, and purpose.
Holy Family Church (2016)
In 2016, the Mission relocated to Holy Family Church, located at 315 East 47th Street, within the United Nations Plaza. There, Subdeacon Michel Rabbah and Subdeacon Adonis Asmar served faithfully alongside Bishop Gregory Mansour and Father Dany Abi Akar. Later, Father Rabih Aoun continued this Mission with great devotion and dedication.
Our Permanent Home (2025)
In September 2025, the Mission moved temporarily to St. John the Nepomucene Church, located at 411 East 66th Street, before finding its new and permanent home in October 2025 at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, 230 East 90th Street, between 2nd and 3rd Avenues.
Today
Today, Father Elias Adwan celebrates the Sunday Divine Liturgy, assisted by Subdeacon Michel Rabbah, who was appointed by Bishop Gregory Mansour to organize and lead the new Mission — now officially established as the Manhattan Maronite Catholic Community, Inc.
Strategically located halfway between the Cathedral of Our Lady of Lebanon in Brooklyn and Our Lady of the Rosary Maronite Parish in Sleepy Hollow, our community serves the faithful of Manhattan and beyond.
Our Community
Since the very beginning, our devoted parishioners have worked together with love, commitment, and faith to bring this dream to life.
