Dedde, Lebanon Christian Churches

research note by Wesley Johnston, begun 26 Mar 2014, last updated 7 Aug 2014

The following information was provided by Adib George El Zakhem and his wife and second cousin Marianna Seeman Matta and Hanna Seeman Lakkis (John, whose grandmother was Rima ElZakhem) on 1 Mar 2014.

St Antonius Church

The first church was St. Antonius Church. It was the only church until it was burned down by an arsonist, sometime in the 1970's, possibly 1975-1976. (WHEN WAS THE CHURCH BUILT?) The fire also destroyed the next door home of Yaoub Elies El Zakhem. The church was in the section of town that is primarily Muslim. It was a relatively small building. Nothing remains at the site, and the books of the parish records may have been destroyed in the fire.

St. Elies Church

I have a note that simply says "Matta Family". So I think this church may have been paid for primarily by the Matta family. (WHEN WAS THE CHURCH BUILT?) George Zakhem, now of London, donated a great deal of money to reconstruct the church in more recent years. The records of this church may be the only records that survive for the Christian families of Dedde, prior to civil registration.

Suleiman El Zakhem (son of the patriacrch of El Zakhem family #1) was the layman assistant for a long time, taking care of church functions.

Added 7 Aug 2014 - note from Judy Lakkis 1 Jun 2014 while visiting in Dedde: "Priest George, John's nephew who is an Orthodox Priest,  said that he does not know of a church that burned down in 1970."