New St. Raphael Church Planned for Antiochian Village
Antiochian Village plans a 400-seat temple to expand worship space while preserving its historic spiritual sites.
LIGONIER, PA — A new church with capacity of approximately 400 people is in planning stages for Antiochian Village in Ligonier, Pennsylvania. With the blessing of Metr. Saba, the Archdiocese Board of Trustees was introduced to conceptual renderings of St. Raphael Church, to be located adjacent to the camp and overlooking the Conference and Retreat Center.
Mr. Dimitri Zeidan, trustee and chairman of the Antiochian Village Council, said the church could include a balcony for additional worshippers, an underground mausoleum, and an adjacent cemetery. Other features may be added as planning continues. The new church would not replace existing houses of worship on the Village grounds — although maintenance costs continue to rise — but instead allow more worshippers to gather in one place to pray.
St. Raphael is a key figure in the history of the Antiochian Archdiocese, which he established as a Syro-Arabian Mission in 1895. After his repose, he was laid to rest near St. Ignatius Church at the Camp, and his incorrupt relics are now housed in an ornate reliquary at Ss. Peter and Paul Church within the Conference Center.
Plans for a new church were introduced during the Archdiocese’s spring assembly held from April 30 to May 3, 2026, at Antiochian Village. The meetings were led by Metr. Saba, alongside Bp. Thomas and Bp. John.
Previously, the UOJ reported that the Antiochian Village was set to host the 2026 Women’s Retreat.
