Historical Narrative of St. Ephrem Maronite Catholic Church
El Cajon, California
St. Ephrem Church was first envisioned in the early 1970’s by several Lebanese families and young college students who resided in the San Diego area. They had hoped for a church where they could worship in their traditional way and gather regularly.
Their prayers were answered in the person of Fr. Denis Krouse, a Roman Catholic priest who, given bi-ritual faculties, began celebrating the Maronite Divine Liturgy for the growing community, in the homes of the families.
From this humble beginning of celebrating Divine Liturgy in homes, the growing community was soon able to also hold Liturgy at the University of San Diego seminary’s Chapel of St. Francis. By 1980 the Liturgy was being held at Holy Angels Byzantine Church and still at various private residences with Fr. Krause continuing to offer his priestly services.
By 1989 Archbishop Francis Zayek approved the establishment of St. Ephrem Mission; with the Liturgy celebrated by either Fr. Krause or Fr. Antoine Bach. The year 1991 brought us our first permanent priest, Fr. Nabil Mouannes who served the community for 21 years. As of this narrative, in 2024, the current pastor is Rev. Toufic Nasr who was assigned
to St. Ephrem Church in June of 2012.
In 1992 a tract of land was purchased in Del Mar with the hopes of building our church there. But as God often has His own plans contrary to our own, we relinquished the building of the church in Del Mar, sold the land and instead in 1999 purchased the present facility in El Cajon, California.
As a result of the generosity and hard work of several of our parishioners we realized another dream; that of building a shrine dedicated to our Blessed Mother with the title of Mariam Mother of Life. Under the guidance of Fr. Nabil, construction began on this project in the year 2001 with completion in 2003.
A longed-for hope of the parish was that of building a community center. Under the leadership of Fr. Toufic, that hope was realized in 2020. The community now has a place for celebrating and gathering.
As the Maronite community has grown a further need has also arisen- to expand to the northern part of San Diego County. This inspired in 2019 the purchase of a tract of land of over four acres with the hope of building a church in the future.
In the year 2006 the parish purchased both lots adjacent to the church. One lot’s home is rented out. On the second lot presently underway is a project to develop it with residential units. Currently, we are in the design phase with an initial plan for a duplex with two ADU’s. This will eventually have a significant impact on the financial health of the parish, bringing in a constant flow of revenue.
One of the most noteworthy events that the community enjoys is the annual Lebanese festival held on the beautiful grounds of our Church. The spectacular three-day celebration is a wonderful family event that draws each year more than 8,000 visitors from around greater San Diego County, Orange County and Los Angeles County. Guests feast on all the traditional Lebanese dishes and gourmet sweets. Along with the exquisite food, there is live music, dancing, folkloric performances throughout the day, beer and wine garden, carnival games, and the much-anticipated annual raffle drawing.
The life of the parish is full and varied. It is especially reflected in our numerous historical and active apostolates of: The Sorority of St. Rita, the Sorority of the Immaculate Conception, St. Ephrem Church Ladies Guild, St. Ephrem Men’s Organization, the Order of St. Sharbel, our Language and Religious Education Program, the Junior Maronite Youth Organization, the Maronite Youth Organization, the Maronite Young Adults Organization, and the National Apostolate of Maronites.
The parish is eternally grateful to God for His abundant blessings granted throughout the years. The parish is also grateful for all the arduous work and many years of dedication to our family in faith from its inception to the present.
