Our Lady’s Maronite Catholic Parish History

 Our First Chapel
After meeting for 13 months at St. George Episcopal Church in Austin, Fr. Donald Joseph Sawyer and the Maronite Catholics of Austin began meeting in their first chapel, this tiny house located at 1320 E. 51^st Street, in 1984.  The house and land were purchased by the Maronite community, while an additional five acres were given in honor of Mrs. Fronia Joseph.  The interior walls were knocked down to accommodate the altar and up to 21 people.  The doors were opened during Diving Liturgy, so that more people could stand outside.  Even the bathroom was used for extra seating.  We also held Religious Education classes in the house.


Our Lady's Parish Center
Our Lady’s Parish Center was completed and dedicated by Archbishop Zayek on December 8, 1985.  The 10,000 square foot center includes a closable Altar area, a full-sized kitchen, offices, and a large meeting area.  The Maronite community called this building home for 14 years.  We planned to celebrate the ordination of our first deacon, Joseph K. Crowley, in this building in February 1996.  A rare ice storm closed the airport, however, and we had to rush to San Antonio, where Bishop Chedid ordained Deacon Crowley on February 2^nd, 1996.
  
 
Our Lady’s Maronite Catholic Parish
Our current church complex was dedicated on January 16, 1999 by Bishop John Chedid. The complex includes a 7,000 square foot sanctuary that seats 350+, a chapel that seats 50, offices, classrooms, and narthex. In 2008, Rev. Msgr. Don Joseph Sawyer celebrates his 34th year of priestly service and his 25^th year of pastoring the Maronite Catholics in Austin.