History of Our Lady of Lebanon Church, Miami

Founding and Origin

Our Lady of Lebanon Church in Miami had its official beginnings on September 8, 1973, a day of dual celebration for the Maronite community as it coincided with the Feast of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary and the Feast of the Virgin of Charity, the Patroness of Cuba (La Virgen de la Caridad del Cobre). On this day, Archbishop Francis Zayek, the Bishop of the Maronites in the United States, personally founded the parish. The inaugural Mass, attended by approximately 350 people, was celebrated at Saints Peter and Paul Church in Miami. Following the Mass, a luncheon hosted by Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Abraham brought the community together in fellowship.

Impressed by the enthusiasm and response of the faithful, Archbishop Zayek appointed the newly ordained Father Joseph Kaddo as the first Administrator of the mission on September 28, 1973. Father Kaddo celebrated his first Mass at the Assumption Ukrainian Catholic Church, with the initial Sunday collection amounting to $143.26. He lived in an apartment provided by Mr. and Mrs. Woodrow Woody and later by Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Abraham. Eventually, Sunday Masses were held at the Syrian Lebanon American Club on Coral Way, marking the humble beginnings of the parish.

Acquisition of Land and Property

The church’s journey to finding a permanent home began on August 31, 1975, when Father Wadih Peter Tayah was appointed Pastor of Our Lady of Lebanon Mission. Within a few months, on December 29, 1975, the property at 2055 Coral Way in Miami was purchased for $386,256.76. This property, formerly a “Food Fair Supermarket,” was chosen for its strategic location and potential to serve as a multifunctional space. Father Tayah celebrated the first Mass on the site amidst empty grocery shelves on December 30, 1975. Renovations began in March 1976 under the guidance of Architect Maria Rosa Sellek and the Engineering firm Planas and Franyieh, transforming the space into Our Lady of Lebanon Church and Maronite Center. The project was completed and dedicated on November 27–28, 1976, marking the elevation of the church from a mission to a parish by Archbishop Zayek.

Further expansion occurred on June 20, 2000, when the parish acquired an adjacent parcel of land at 1901 Coral Way for $318,000.00, securing the entire city block facing Coral Way for the parish’s future needs.

Chronology of Parish Priests

The spiritual leadership of Our Lady of Lebanon has been shaped by a series of dedicated priests who have each contributed to the growth and development of the parish:

• Fr. Joseph Kaddo (1973–1975) – The first Administrator, Fr. Kaddo laid the foundational stones for the parish’s community life.

• Fr. Wadih Peter Tayah (1975–1995) – Purchased the current property and oversaw significant renovations and the parish’s elevation from mission status.

• Fr. Michael Thomas (1996–2004) – Led the construction of the new church building dedicated in 1999.

• Fr. Elie Mikhael (2004–2013) – Continued the work of his predecessors, paying off the mortgage and further expanding the parish.

• Fr. Elie Saade, OLM (2013–2019) – Oversaw the 40th-anniversary celebrations, the visit of the relics of Saints Rafqa and Sharbel, and renovated the banquet hall.

• Fr. Bassam Saade (2019–2021) – Provided leadership through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Fr. Manuel Rahmeh (2021–present) – Under his leadership, the parish has undergone extensive renovations, expanded its spiritual programs, and celebrated its 50th anniversary as well as the creation of a new pastoral center.

Significance of Church Expansion

The significant expansions of Our Lady of Lebanon Church have reflected the growth and vitality of its community. The purchase and renovation of the former supermarket in 1975–1976 were pivotal in establishing a dedicated space for worship, administration, and social events. The major reconstruction project in 1999, led by Fr. Michael Thomas, replaced the original church structure with a new building, ensuring the parish had a modern and sacred space that met the needs of its growing congregation. The parish’s ability to acquire the entire block on Coral Way by 2000 provided additional space for future developments and community activities.

In 2008, under the leadership of Fr. Elie Mikhael, the church acquired a house behind the main building, expanding its property and allowing for future developments. This strategic acquisition set the stage for further growth. In 2018, Fr. Elie Saade continued this trajectory by overseeing the remodeling of the banquet hall, enhancing its functionality and aesthetic appeal for parish events.

The most recent phase of expansion took place under the guidance of Fr. Manuel Rahmeh, who has been instrumental in advancing both the church’s infrastructure and its spiritual mission.
In 2023 and 2024, he initiated the creation of classrooms and a pastoral center, providing dedicated spaces for religious education and community activities. His commitment to the church’s spiritual life was further demonstrated by a major renovation of the church, including the relocation of the tabernacle from the side altar to the center of the church on August 26, 2023, symbolizing a renewed focus on the Eucharist as the heart of parish life.

In 2025, Fr. Rahmeh fully remodeled the church rectory, undertaking a complete renovation that included a new roof, bathrooms, bedrooms, kitchen, front and back yards, air conditioning, electrical, and water systems. He also renovated the church offices and repaved the parking lot, ensuring that the parish campus was modern, functional, and welcoming for future generations.

That same year, Fr. Rahmeh opened the Adoration Chapel on March 1, 2025, establishing a 24-hour exposition of the Blessed Sacrament for perpetual prayer and devotion. He also introduced a new Saturday evening Mass in English and a Sunday Children’s Mass at 9:30 a.m., enriching the parish’s liturgical life and deepening the participation of families and youth.

Organizations and Events

Throughout its history, Our Lady of Lebanon Church has fostered a vibrant community life, supported by various organizations and events:

• Ladies’ Guild (1974): Organizes social and fundraising events and continues its longstanding service to parish life.

• Saint Maron’s Men’s Society (1975): Plays a vital role in parish fundraising and community support.

• Youth and Young Adult Groups (MYO, MYA): Nurture faith and leadership among the younger generation through service and formation.

• Annual Parish Hafli and Festival: Celebrate Lebanese culture, cuisine, and traditions, drawing thousands of attendees each year.

• Latin Party: Celebrated annually in June, honoring the parish’s Latin American members and promoting cultural unity.

• St. Sharbel Healing Mass (monthly): Held on the 22nd of each month, drawing hundreds for prayer and intercession.

• Social Club (2024): Offers activities such as cooking, painting, exercise, and decorating, fostering fellowship among parishioners.

Recent Developments and Spiritual Programs

Under Fr. Manuel Rahmeh, who began his service on November 1, 2021, the parish continues to thrive spiritually and communally. He has expanded parish councils and committees, reestablished the Ladies Sodality, Men’s Group, MYA, MYO, and Sunday School, and introduced a robust spiritual program featuring weekly adoration, Bible study, and various liturgical and pastoral initiatives.

His tenure has also brought long-term planning and financial stewardship initiatives, including the establishment of investment and scholarship funds to secure the parish’s future and support the education of its young members. The church now hosts one of the largest Lebanese festivals in South Florida and continues to celebrate the Healing Mass of St. Sharbel every 22nd of the month, which has become a significant spiritual event in the community.

Conclusion

Our Lady of Lebanon Church in Miami has been truly blessed by God throughout its more than fifty years of history. Under the patronage of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the church continues to grow in faith, service, and community—standing as a beacon of Maronite spirituality and unity in South Florida.

Maronite Rite

The Maronite Church, one of the largest Eastern Catholic Churches, is especially prominent in modern Lebanon. The church is in full communion with the Roman Catholic Church and is the only Eastern rite church without a counterpart outside that union. The Maronites trace their origins to St. Maron (Mārūn), a Syrian hermit of the late 4th and early 5th centuries, and St. John Maron (Yūḥannā Mārūn), Patriarch of Antioch (685–707), under whose leadership the Maronites became a fully independent people of faith.

The immediate spiritual head of the Maronite Church after the Pope is the Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, residing in Bkerke, near Beirut. The church retains the ancient West Syrian liturgy, often delivered in Syriac, even though the vernacular language of modern Maronites is Arabic.

Maronite Identity

Today, as before, our Church strives to remain faithful to the mystery of salvation through Jesus Christ and to witness to Him in the Antiochene tradition. The Maronite Church embodies the mystery of the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church within the unique context of the lands and peoples of its heritage. It is called to live its faith not merely as a cultural or national identity but as a living witness to the Gospel, rooted in prayer, tradition, and communion with the universal Church.

Office Hours

Monday – Thursday: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Friday: 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM

Contact Us:
📧 info@ololmiami.org
📞 305-856-7449

Website:
🌐 www.ololmiami.org