AL HR1001

Saint Elias Maronite Catholic Church in Birmingham, Alabama was established in 1910 to serve Lebanese immigrants practicing the Maronite Catholic Rite, which uses Aramaic in its liturgy.

The church's original building was dedicated in 1914 on Sixth Avenue South and relocated to Eighth Street between 8th and 9th Avenues South in 1950, with the first Mass in the new church held on Christmas Day that year.

Chorbishop Richard D. Saad has served as priest since 1972 and currently serves as Pastor; during 2010, Saint Elias hosted the National Apostolate of Maronites Convention for the third time since 1972.

The church operates a Lebanese Food and Cultural Festival annually that attracts over 7,000 attendees and generates over $170,000 in charitable donations, and has grown to over 1,200 parishioners and 400 families.

The House of Representatives extends commendations to Saint Elias Maronite Catholic Church and its members in recognition of their century of support and contributions to the Birmingham community during their 100th Anniversary celebration in 2010.