St. George Melkite-Greek Catholic Church 1620 Bell Street · POB 660425 · Sacramento, CA 95866 · (916) 920-2900

THE HISTORY OF ST. GEORGE CHURCH IN SACRAMENTO The Melkite Church originated in Jerusalem and Antioch, where the followers of Jesus were first called Christians. It is one of the largest Christian Churches in the Holy Land. Melkites first settled in the United States over a century ago, but the recent situation in the Middle East has compelled even greater immigration. St. George Melkite-Greek Catholic Church is the oldest community in Sacramento that is linked to the native Christians of the Holy Land. 1976 Father Max Chalhoub, of blessed memory, arrives in San Francisco to start a Melkite Church 1977 St. George holds liturgy at Joe Halaway's L'il Joe's Restaurant 1978 Manawel Khoury finds church property on 1620 Bell Street 1979 Father Max celebrates the first Palm Sunday and Pascha at the church 1980 Father Max departs to found St. John of the Desert in Phoenix, AZ   Father Maximos Mardelli, of blessed memory, arrives 1981 Patriarch of Anitoch Maximos V Hakim, of blessed memory, visits 1982 Archbishop Joseph Tawil, of blessed memory, visits 1984 Father Maximos Mardelli transfers to St. Elias the Prophet in San Jose, CA   Father Gus Deasio arrives 1986 Father Gus transfers to St. Joseph in Akron, OH   Father Jim Babcock arrives 1989 Father Jim transfers to Holy Cross in Placentia, CA   Father Basil Adcock becomes the temporary administrator 1990 Father Ken Sherman arrives 1991 Father Ken transfers to St. Nicholas in Rochester, NY, trading places with Father Mark Melone 1993 Parishioner James Graham ordained a priest at St. George and is now Pastor at St. Elias the Prophet in San Jose, CA 1995 Heavy rains collapse roof of church and rectory 1996 Archbishop John Elya, Exarch of Newton, re-conscecrates new Cross 2000 Dominican Father Brendan McAnerney joins our parish from Ashland, Oregon 2003 St. George celebrates its Jubilee year! 2005 Archbishop Cyril Bustros, Eparch of Newton, visits