Sunday, November 10th was a memorable day for the Syriac Orthodox community in Los Angeles as His Eminence Archbishop Mor Clemis Eugene Kaplan, His Grace Bishop Serapion, His Eminence Archbishop Mor Titus Yeldo, very Reverend and Reverend Fathers, and several clergy had gathered together to consecrate St Peter Syriac Orthodox Church in the San Dimas/Glendora area.

In the year 2010 the community expressed a dire need for a church in the area, and with the blessings of Archbishop Mor C. Eugene Kaplan, the community pulled together and began renting St. John Coptic Church for the weekly Divine Liturgy. During the first year, an opportunity arose to buy an existing church building, and with great love and support the community bought the property which is at 1404 West Gladstone Street, San Dimas CA. Over a period of a year and a half the community restructured the building to make into a proper Syriac church, and on Palm Sunday of 2013 His Eminence conducted the first Divine Liturgy at St Peter Church.

And so on Sunday, November 10, the day of consecrating St. Peter Church was a surely blessed day and gathering. Prayers and scripture readings were chanted and read aloud by all 3 Archbishops and clergy. Following the anointing of the walls and altar with the Holy Myron, Mor Clemis Eugene Kaplan conveyed his gratitude and joy to those who had supported the establishment of the church and special reference was made to the organizations for their preparation and hard work. A special and touching video exhibiting pictures during the construction and development of the church, as well as various activities was the culmination of the church ceremony.

A convivial evening dinner reception was held at the church grounds under a large tent, beautiful flowers, and the Sunday School children holding candles, representing angels. Presentations were made by His Eminence who awarded plaques to Rev. Fr. Yusuf Kallo, and to all the Parish Council members, the Ladies Auxiliary, the Youth Organization, Choir, and the Sunday School. His Eminence also touched upon the next project of St. Peter, the Syriac Youth Center, which is a plan to build a joint gymnasium/social hall to gather youth from surrounding areas to unite and play sports as well as to hold social functions. Several faithful contributed monetary donations towards the project.

Rev. Fr. Yusuf Kallo also welcomed all the clergy and attendees and John Kerim Allaf, the Vice President, spoke about the establishment of St. Peter Church, and expressed his gratitude to all those in attendance. Everyone enjoyed dinner, sweets, and fruits. It was a beautiful gathering of over 600 people (Board of Trustees and laymen) from the various churches - St. Ephraim, St. George, St. Elias, Virgin Mary, St Helena, St. John (Las Vegas), St. Paul (San Diego), St Thomas (San Jose), St. John Coptic Church (West Covina), and St. Mary Malankara Church (Whittier).

The St Peter Parish Council, and faithful would like to thank all those who attended this special occasion, and for the gracious monetary donations towards the Syriac Youth Center.