Perhaps you have seen a Byzantine-inspired building and wondered about its origins. That is Saint Mary of the Annunciation Church. This is not just any church. It is the principal church of the Melkite Greek Catholic Eparchy of Newton. This eparchy encompasses the entire United States. The Saint Mary of the Annunciation Church also serves as the parish church for the Melkite Greek Catholic community in Greater Boston.
The story of Saint Mary of the Annunciation Church begins long before its current structure. The Melkite Greek Catholics who emigrated from Syria and Lebanon to the United States founded the parish. They sought economic opportunities and freedom from Ottoman rule. Boston’s garment district attracted many.
In 1908, the community acquired a commercial building on Harrison Avenue. This marked the beginning of Our Lady of the Annunciation Syrian Catholic Church. Archimandrite Nicholas Ghannam became its first pastor. The early church underwent remodeling to serve its new purpose. Photos show a basic iconostasis. The interior had a superficial resemblance to Byzantine churches.
As the Melkite community grew, they needed a larger space. In 1933, Archimandrite Flavian Zahar led the parish to purchase a vacant Protestant church on Warren Avenue. This new location was dedicated in 1942. The interior design choices reflected a desire to assimilate with the Latin Catholic majority.
However, the community continued to grow. Many Melkites moved from the South End to other neighborhoods. A census confirmed many lived in West Roxbury. The parish identified a promising 4.2-acre property on the VFW Parkway.
Father John Bassoul initiated the relocation process. Negotiations with the City of Boston proved successful. Cardinal Richard Cushing supported the project. In 1962, Father Lucien Malouf became the pastor. He finalized the land purchase.
Lawrence J. Cuneo was chosen as the architect for the new Saint Mary of the Annunciation Church. Construction began in 1964. Cardinal Cushing pledged a large sum of personal funds to the building project.
In 1966, a significant event occurred. The Holy See appointed Father Justin Najmy as the first Exarch for Melkites in the United States. He selected the Church of the Annunciation as the cathedral. On March 25, 1966, the cathedral celebrated its inaugural Divine Liturgy. Bishop Thomas J. Riley consecrated the altar in April 1966. Bishop Najmy was enthroned in June 1966.
In 1976, the Melkite Greek Catholic Church in the United States became an eparchy. Archbishop Joseph Tawil was installed as eparch in 1977.
Today, Saint Mary of the Annunciation Church stands as a testament to the faith and perseverance of the Melkite community. Its Byzantine-inspired architecture reflects its rich heritage. The Saint Mary of the Annunciation Church serves as a spiritual center for Melkite Catholics. It is a place of worship and community. It is a landmark in the West Roxbury neighborhood of Boston.