The Maronite Church in Australia

Saint Maroun’s Cathedral Redfern, NSW

Significant Historical Milestones

 1893  8 May – First Maronite priests, Fr Abdallah Yazbeck and Fr Joseph Dahdah (later Monsignor) arrive in Sydney to attend to the early Maronite migrants. Cardinal Moran attached them to the Latin Rite Churches of St Vincent De Paul in Redfern and Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Waterloo.

1894   A temporary Maronite Chapel was set up by leasing a private house in Raglan Street, Waterloo. The Chapel was blessed by Bishop Higgins.

1897  10 January – The first Maronite Church in Australia, dedicated to St Maroun was blessed and opened by Cardinal Moran

1933  Father Abdallah Yazbeck dies after collapsing on the altar.

1934   Father Abdallah Assaf (later Monsignor) arrived in Sydney and served the Maronite Community until 1960.

1936  Monsignor Joseph Dahdah returned to Lebanon and died that same year.

1961  Father Chuckrallah Harb (later Archbishop) arrived in Sydney and served the Maronite Community until 1963 when he took up an appointment in the Vatican.

1962  Father Peter Ziade (later Monsignor) was appointed Parish Priest of St Maroun’s Redfern.

1965 2 May – The new St Maroun’s Cathedral was blessed and consecrated by His Eminence Cardinal Norman T. Gilroy.

St. Maroun's Cathedral, 

627 Elizabeth Street , Redfern, 2016

Phone: 9318 - 2148