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St. Mary’s Syriac Orthodox Church Of Orange County, California, USA, was incorporated on March 02, 1992. The church did not start functioning until Rev. Fr. George Touma was chosen and dispatched by the late Archbishop Yeshou Samuel, Archbishop of North America (USA & Canada), to become the first pastor of St. Mary’s Church in March 1993.

Rev. Fr. George Touma with few families on his side started tireless efforts to lay the foundation of the new church. A Board of Directors and Ladies Auxiliary Committee were formed. A church was rented in Santa Ana, California, to start celebrating regular Sunday Services. Families were gathered in peace and harmony. Deacons and Choir members happily volunteered. A Sunday School and bible study classes were opened.

In November 1995, the Holy Synod decided to split the Archdiocese of North America (USA & Canada) into three Archdioceses and St, Mary’s church became under the  jurisdiction of the newly established Syrian Orthodox Archdiocese of Western USA, located on 900 N. Glenoaks Blvd, in the City of Burbank, California, and headed by His Eminence Archbishop and Patriarchal Vicar Mor Clemis Eugene Kaplan.

Financial problems were easy to overcome because our people are faithful and generous. After four years of renting a church in Santa Ana, California, and growing by the grace of God, we were able to purchase our own church (current) on 1515 E. Taft Ave, in the City of Orange, California in April 1997.

Today, St. Mary’s church embodies 130 families ( One Hundred and Thirty ) who reside in Orange and the surrounding Counties. It runs smoothly and effectively.

Our main goal now is to build a fellowship hall where we can perform our social, cultural and educational activities. Our people are in dire need for a place where they can mingle after Sunday church services and also celebrate their baptisms, weddings, engagements, birthdays, bridal showers and graduation parties. Our youth need a gathering place for lectures and exhibits. No church can carry out such activities without a fellowship hall.

Plans and blue prints were approved by the city of Orange and the construction work started on August 02^nd 2005. Construction work will end provisionally by February 2006.

With the blessings of our Lord Jesus Christ we hope to succeed in our project and St. Mary’s Church will continue its progress. May God bless all those who work for the glory of His name and the good of His church. Amen.

Rev. Fr. George Touma

The Western Archdiocese of the Syriac Orthodox Church of Antioch, providing spiritual guidance and leadership to the Syriac Orthodox community, is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit, tax-exempt organization comprised of 10 churches and parishes in 17 western states. It was established in 1952 as the Archdiocese of the Syrian Orthodox Church encompassing the entire United States and Canada. In November 1995 by the Holy Synod, the Western Archdiocese was formed to exclusively serve the 17 states of the western half United States.

417 E. Fairmount Rd., Burbank, CA 91501
Tel: (818) 845-5089 Fax: (818) 953-7203
E-mail: bishopric@soc-wus.org