Preserving Chaldean Heritage

Jacob Bacall’s mission to document a community’s journey

“Attend the Book Release The launch event for Chaldean Catholic Church will be held on Thursday, May 15, at Shenandoah Country Club from 6:30 to 8:30 pm. Attendees can purchase the book and special commemorative coins celebrating the Church’s 75th anniversary and the Pope’s historic visit to Iraq. 100 percent of the author’s royalties will be donated to the Bishop’s Library in the new Chaldean Community Foundation West.”

By Weam Namou

Author Jacob Bacall has spent nearly five decades in the United States, bearing witness to the evolution of the Chaldean Catholic Church in North America. His latest book, Chaldean Catholic Church, co-authored with Bishop Bawai Soro and published by Arcadia Publishing, is a compelling visual history of the Church’s development in America—with a particular focus on Michigan, the heart of the Chaldean diaspora.

Arcadia Publishing, well-known for its Images of America series, was a natural fit for Bacall’s vision. Their signature approach of telling history through archival photographs complements Bacall’s mission: to preserve and share the overlooked history of the Chaldean community in the U.S.

The Chaldean Catholic Church, which originated in Iraq, has a rich and storied history. However, as Bacall notes, much of this history—especially the Church’s establishment in America—has been scattered, undocumented, or even lost. “There is a lack of information,” Bacall explains, “and lack of documentation equals a lost history.”

Bacall’s passion for chronicling Chaldean heritage is longstanding. In 2014, he authored Chaldeans in Detroit, a visual chronicle of the community’s contributions to the Motor City. Four years later, he released Chaldean Iraqi American Association of Michigan,
detailing the legacy of a key cultural institution founded in 1943.

Like Bacall’s previous books, this newest one is filled with photographs that bring the history of the Chaldean Church to life. These images, many of which have been praised and cited by other authors, serve as a visual record of a history that has often gone undocumented. Bacall has received widespread recognition for his efforts to preserve the past through his documentation.

His newest book builds on that tradition, offering an expansive look at the Chaldean Catholic Church’s roots in America. The Church’s U.S. journey began in 1904, with the founding of the first Chaldean parish in Chicago by immigrants from Iran. Yet it was Michigan that would become the spiritual and cultural epicenter of the community. The establishment of Mother of God Church in Southfield in 1948 was a turning point, followed by churches like Sacred Heart and Mar Addai in Oak Park—each serving as critical anchors for newly arrived immigrants.

Bacall explores the reasons behind Michigan’s prominence. One theory is that the presence of other Arabic-speaking groups, such as Lebanese and Syrians, provided a foundation of cultural familiarity. Another is the lure of economic opportunity. Henry Ford’s booming automotive industry in the early 20th century drew countless immigrants, including Chaldeans, to the Detroit area.

Interestingly, while Michigan saw robust institutional development of the Church, other regions with sizable Chaldean populations, such as Mexico, did not experience the same level of organized religious presence. Bacall uses this contrast to underscore how specific historical and economic conditions helped Michigan become the Church’s American heartland.

His research also uncovers the stories of pioneering individuals like George Binno, believed to be the first Chaldean to settle in Michigan, and Daisy Yono, the first known Chaldean born in the state. He gives credit to community scholars like Deacon Sam Dabish and Mary Sengstock for their contributions but notes that, outside Iraq, reliable records and historical accounts of the Chaldean Church remain scarce.

This book is not just a historical record—it’s also a reflection on identity. One of the themes Bacall addresses in his book is the cultural clash faced by Chaldean immigrants as they navigated life in the United States. Coming from Iraq, where Chaldeans made up 80% of the Christian population but were a minority “living in a sea of Muslims,” many immigrants experienced a profound sense of cultural dislocation. “You are reminded everywhere you go that you are a minority,” Bacall says, reflecting on the challenges Chaldeans faced in Iraq.

This sense of dislocation did not disappear upon arrival in the United States—it simply took a new form. Chaldean immigrants were now navigating a different kind of minority experience, one shaped by unfamiliar customs, language barriers, and the challenges of integration. For many, the longing to preserve their heritage while adapting to a new society created a deep internal conflict. It was in this space—between memory and adaptation—that the Church emerged not only as a spiritual refuge but also as a cultural lifeline.

Churches like Mother of God became central to community life—hosting cultural events, language classes, and social services that helped anchor Chaldeans in their new homeland.

Bacall reflects on the urgent need for centralized archival efforts. As it stands, the Chaldean Church has no comprehensive historical archive. Bacall believes this gap must be addressed before more of the community’s legacy fades into obscurity. The 75th anniversary of Mother of God Church, initially planned for 2023, has been postponed. Bacall views this delay as an opportunity to reflect on the Church’s enduring legacy. This latest book serves as a tribute to the generations of Chaldeans who built and sustained the Church in America and underscores the importance of preserving this legacy for future generations.

While Chaldean Catholic Church focuses on collective memory, Bacall is also preparing for a more personal future project: a book of life lessons and reflections dedicated to his children. “I want to write something for my kids—advice from a father to his children,” he shares. He imagines it as a collection of 100 insights drawn from his life experiences, designed to guide and inspire the next generation.

“The tree you have, you have to nurture it and water it,” Bacall says—a metaphor that encapsulates both his historical mission and his hopes for the future. Through documenting the past and mentoring the future, Bacall’s legacy is one of care, continuity, and cultural preservation.