Ligonier, Pennsylvania, May 6, 2026
Photo: antiochian.org
The Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America has unveiled plans for a new church at its Antiochian Village campus in Ligonier, Pennsylvania.
The proposed St. Raphael Church will accommodate approximately 400 worshippers and is being designed to sit near the camp facilities with views of the Conference and Retreat Center, the Archdiocese reports.
His Eminence Metropolitan Saba has given his blessing for the project, and conceptual designs were recently presented to the Archdiocesan Board of Trustees.
Photo: antiochian.org
The building plans include a balcony to increase capacity, along with an underground mausoleum and adjoining cemetery. Additional features may be incorporated as planning continues.
The new facility is intended to complement rather than replace the existing chapels and worship spaces that have served campers and conference guests for many years.
The church’s namesake, St. Raphael, established the Syro-Arabian Mission in 1895, which became the foundation of the Antiochian Archdiocese. He was originally interred at the Village near St. Ignatius Church at the camp. His relics are now housed in a reliquary at Sts. Peter and Paul Church in the Conference Center.
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