The first Maronites arrived in Atlanta in the late 1890’s.  They were attending the Church of the Immaculate Conception when Benjamin J. Keiley, an ex-Confederate soldier, was consecrated Bishop of Savannah in 1900.  It was to him, in fact, that the Atlanta Maronite Community made its first request for a Maronite Church and priest.

In 1911, through the help of Patriarch Howayek, Bishop Keiley secured for Atlanta its first Marontie priest, the Rev. Paul Azar.  With no money for a church building, a room over a store on Butler Street near Decatur Street was converted into a temporary chapel - our first home.  In obedience to his religious superiors, five years later Father Azar returned to Lebanon.

The Rev. Naimtallah Attalah succeeded Father Azar in 1916.  That year, our second home was purchased.  A house at 291 Hunter Street, S.E., was transformed into a combination church and rectory.  Georgia in 1916 had but few Latin Rite churches in small communities.  Transportation was difficult, Father Attalah made his rounds of various towns where Maronites and other Eastern Catholics lived.  He celebrated Liturgy and administered the sacraments in their homes.  After serving Atlanta and the Georgia Maronite Mission Stations for nearly nine years, Father Attalah returned to Lebanon.  Meanwhile, Bishop Keiley resigned and was succeeded by the Most Rev. Michael J. Keyes, S.M. (1922).

Except for the Feast of Saint Joseph or when a Maronite missionary was passing through, the Maronite Church was often closed.  During Lent, the laity met without a priest of any rite, recited the rosary, the litanies, and made the Stations of the Cross.  Sunday and Holy Days of obligations were fulfilled at the Immaculate Conception under the care of the Latin clergy.  Bishop Keyes, secured the Rev. Joseph Kadaa, of Aleppo, for the Maronites.  Father Kadaa remained pastor three years until his death in 1928.

In 1935, Bishop Keyes had resigned and was succeeded by the Most Rev. Gerald P. O’Hara.  Under Bishop O’Hara progress toward a new church was continued.  The Maronites were then being served by the Marist Fathers of the Church of the Sacred Heart.

In 1931, the Rev. Paul Rizk, became pastor, and despite his advanced age, rendered devoted service until 1948, when he retired and returned to Lebanon.  He was succeeded  by the Rev. Joseph Rizk, who was pastor until 1951.

In 1951, the Marontie community began seven years without a Maronite priest to lead them.  It was not until 1954, the present building at 502 Seminole Avenue, N.E., was purchased and renovated - our third and current home - through the sacrifices of a devoted laity.

In 1956 the Diocese of Savannah-Atlanta was divided and the Most Rev. Francis E. Hyland, became the first Bishop of Atlanta.  On February 23, 1958, Bishop Hyland installed Father Abi-Nader as pastor, and St. Joseph Maronite Church has not been without a shepherd since.  Under Father Abi-Nader, the renovations continued - new altars, lighting, stained glass windows, and parish hall.

In 1962, his Beatitude, the Most Reverend Paul Peter Meouchi, the Maronite Patriarch of Antioch and all the East visited our humble parish for the Golden Jubilee celebration.  Not long after that, Msgr. Joseph Bistany (the longest serving pastor of this parish) arrived.  After 25 years of faithfully serving our parish, he retired to Lebanon.

Today, St. Joseph Marontie Church remains a vibrant community of more than 250 families maintaining their tradition and faith in Atlanta.

This page last modified on 06/27/07