St. Toma Syriac Catholic Church

Amidst the bustling streets of Farmington Hills, Michigan, a beacon of faith stands tall, a testament to the rich history of the Syriac Catholic community. St. Toma Syriac Catholic Church, a magnificent structure at 25600 Drake Road, has been a spiritual home for many since its doors opened in June 2002. St. Toma Syriac Catholic Church isn’t just a building; it’s a symbol of resilience, a testament to the unwavering faith of a community that sought refuge and found a home. Many parishioners are Iraqi immigrants, who journeyed to the United States seeking better lives and spiritual freedom. They fled persecution, social instability, and economic hardship in their homeland. St. Toma Syriac Catholic Church became a sanctuary, a place where they could practice their faith openly. The church’s history is intertwined with the dedicated leadership of several key figures. Initially, the community was led by Msgr. Mansour Mattosha, followed by the arrival of Msgr. Toma Azizo in 1990. Msgr. Azizo’s leadership was instrumental in establishing the church in its current location. The current rector is Fr. Muntaser Haddad. Before the church was built, the community held services in various locations, even using St. Beed Catholic Church for a period. Eventually, they purchased a small church, but it quickly became too small for the growing congregation. The acquisition of the property in Farmington Hills from the Archdiocese of Detroit marked a turning point. This allowed the community to establish a permanent home, complete with a spacious banquet hall for events, classrooms for religious education, offices, and a rectory. The church building itself was completed in 2002. The foundation stone was laid in a ceremony in June 2000, presided over by Cardinal Mousa Daoud and the Patriarch of the Syriac Catholic Church. Bishop Joseph Younan, then Bishop of the Syriac Diocese, and Bishop Ibrahim Ibrahim of the St. Thomas Chaldean Eparchy were also present. St. Toma Syriac Catholic Church serves as the Cathedral of Our Lady of Deliverance Syriac Catholic Eparchy in the United States, currently under the guidance of his Excellency Mor Barnaba Yousif Habash. Today, St. Toma Syriac Catholic Church stands as a testament to the enduring spirit of the Syriac Catholic community. It is a place where faith, tradition, and community intersect. It is a place where the past is honored and the future is embraced.