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The First Melkite Church
in the
United States


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Our Parish History

"We have come a long way from the house on Oak Street"


Celebrating 100 Years

In 1902 the first Melkite owned Church in the United States of America was founded. A large house on Oak Street in Lawrence, Massachusetts became the refuge and sacred location of worship for many Melkite immigrants seeking solace from "Ottoman oppressive rule" in Syria and Lebanon.
It was in 1905 that the remodeling was completed and a formal dedication took place on the property.

Highlights in the History of St. Joseph Parish


1896 the arrival of Fr. Joseph Simon B.S.O., the first Melkite priest to labor in New England. 1901 the canonical erection of St. Joseph Parish; purchase of property at 298 Oak St. for use as a church.
1951 the cornerstone of the new Church laid by Archbishop Richard Cardinal Cushing of Boston, and the dedication of the new Church in the presence of the Rt. Rev. Archimandrite Nicholas Borkhoch, Superior General of the Basilian Salvatorian Order. In 1954 the dedication of St. Basil Seminary in Methuen in the territorial limits of St. Joseph Parish. 1955 the Golden Jubliee of dedication of the first St. Joseph's Church , with his Beatitude Maximos IV, Partriarch of Antioch and all The East, of Alexandria and Jerusalem, presiding and officiating at a Pontifical Divine Liturgy with His Eminence the Archbishop of Boston. 1969 the completion of the new Rectory, and dedication of the Plains Community Center. 1976 Partriach Maximos V(Hakim) visited St. Joseph Church. 1977 The Parish celebrates its Diamond Jubilee, and hosts the 18th Annual National Melkite Convention. 1981 the completion of the Iconostasis and Holy Icons, the foundation of Lazarus House. 2001 the first visit of the new Patriarch, His Beatitude Gregory III (Laham) on May 29th, 2002 the second visit of the Partriarch opening the ceremony for the Parishe's 100th Anniversary
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