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History
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oof the Parish
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oof the Parish
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oConstruction
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History / Depression and Construction
Depression and Construction
In October, 1933,
Reverend Salvatore Midaglia began a ten year pastorate. The antion and the
parish were in the midst of the Great Depression. Soon after his
appointment, Father Midaglia wrote to Bishop Walsh of Newark that four out
of five of his parishioners were out of work and in 1934 asked permission to
consolidate the parish debts to the banks, the diocese and various
suppliers. The unpaid bills amounted to more that $3,000.00, an enormous
sum at the time. A loan was obtained at five percent annual interest.
In spite of the economic difficulties of the times, the people were
concerned about their parish and about their religious training of their
young people. They were determined to replace the increasingly inadequate
church and to build a parish center for youth activities. A letter of
Father Midaglia to Bishop Walsh gives us a picture of parish life, problems
and attitudes in the thirties.
By the end of 1937, the requisite permissions for a new church, a hall and a
rectory were granted. The Diocese of Newark loaned the parish $168,000 at
three percent interest and construction began.
The general chairman of the fund-raising was the Honorable Frank J. Bruneto,
Jr.
The new church, dedicated on January 8, 1939, was designed by Anthony DePace
and built by the construction firm of Leopold Auriemma. The rectory was
constructed by the Bellofatto Construction Co. of Montclair. Reflecting the
Italian Gothic style in design the church reminded many parishioners of the
churches of their native land. Its neat and slender tower located at te
rear of the church adds to the Montclair. Its bells, almost 100 years old,
bear the inscriptions: Twp. Com. (1895-1896). Moneely Bell Co. Troy, N.Y.
and General Phil Kearney, Township of Kearney 1889.
How and when they came to Mount Carmel is a mystery.
The large portico, and unusual feature, gives shelter from the elements and
recalls the porches common to many churches throughout Italy. The church
and rectory are built of sand-colored brick and cast concrete. The church
and tower roofs are Spanish tile.
The
interior is so designed that the columns do not obstruct the nave. The deep
apse of the sanctuary is easily seen by all worshipers. The chief fixtures
of the sanctuary are crafted of imported Italian marble. The stained glass
depicts the mysteries of the rosary and prominent saints. The stations of
the cross memorialize two leaders of the community. They are a gift from
the Minnie A. Lucy Club, donated through the endeavors of another prominent
woman, Mrs. Jeannette Zangrilli.
The church seats approximately 800 persons while the auditorium, located
beneath the church accommodates 600 persons. The cost of the rectory and
the church, exclusive of furnishings, was $185.00.
Father Midaglia continued to serve the parish until his death on December 6,
1942, almost exactly a year after the entry of the United States into the
Second World War. Reverend Samuel Bove then directed the parish as
Temporary Administrator until the following December when Reverend Luigi
Bosio was named as pastor.
Parish life was understandably disrupted as many young men went off to war.
Men from Montclair saw action in the various theaters of combat. Some
parish men who served in the Italian campaign were occasionally called on to
serve as interpreters. Among the young men of the parish who heroically
gave their lives for their country was Lieutenant Vincent J. Russo, whose
memory has been preserved in the American Legion Post of Montclair.
After the war, the parish set itself to the task of reorganization and
paying off the great debt remaining from the construction of the church.
The debt was reduce by $10,000 per year and the interest payments were kept
up.
The spirit of the parish was
sorely tried by the tragic events of Christmas Eve, 1948. While church
bells were ringing for Midnight Mass, a terrible oil stove explosion took
place three doors from the church at the home of the Papa family. Three of
the Papa children died and Mr. papa and another child suffered sever burns
an were in critical condition for a long time. Under the direction of
Reverend Annunziato Crescenti, Assistant Pastor, the people rallied to the
aid of the stricken family. The Papa Benefit Fund was set up to help defray
the hospital and other expenses resulting from the tragedy. A benefit show
was arranged at the former Montclair Theater. Among the entertainers were
Phil Brito, Janis Paige, Vic Damone and Sarah Vaughan. The fund reached
$7,000.00
The Religious Sisters Filippini had arrived in the parish in 1939. They
were housed in the former rectory until 1961, when Father Bosio purchased
the building at 102 Pine Street, next to the church, and converted it into a
convent. The sisters, founded in Italy in 1700 by Saint Lucy Filippini, had
come to the United States in 1910. The community was dedicated to serving
the Italian immigrant community. Their work was not limited to teaching.
They visited the homes, counseled families and were an important part of
parish life. The sisters at Mount Carmel took over the Sunday School
sacramental preparation classes begun by Miss Walsh. They also conducted a
day nursery. The nursery cared for three to five year old children from
8:00 A.M. until 5:00 P.M. at a cost of sixty cents per day. This fee
included lunch and a three o’clock snack. According to the report of a town
social worker, the Mount Carmel Nursery was rated as “Excellent.”
In 1957, Mount Carmel celebrated its Fiftieth anniversary. Due to much
sacrifice, the debt incurred with the building of the church had been
eradicated. The souvenir book of the occasion expressed hopes for the
establishment of a parish school and included an architect’s rendering of a
school building to be constructed where the present parking lot is located.
Swift moving events of the next few years would bring this desire to
realization, although in a form not then foreseen.
In 1957 the Town of Montclair announced its decision to close the George
Washington School on Baldwin Street and Glenridge Avenue due to falling
enrollment. The Pine Glen Neighborhood committee, composed mostly of Mount
Carmel parishioners, collected 1600 signatures to protest this test move.
In spite of their objections the town proceeded with its plans. Father
Bosio then inquired about the possibility of purchasing the building for use
as a parochial school. The authorities of the archdiocese at first turned
down his request, fearing that the parish would be unable to financially
support a school. Father Bosio persisted and finally won the approval of
Archbishop Boland. The Borough of Glen Ridge, in which part of the school
lies, was not enthusiastic about a parochial school within its boundaries.
The Glen Ridge Paper edition of July 21, 1960 bore the ominous headline,
“Catholics Eye West Glen Ridge Property.” Eventually all obstacles were
overcome and in October, 1961, the building was turned over to the parish
for the sum of $125,000. The cost of renovation was estimated at $125,000.
To pay for the building and the renovations, $250,000 was borrowed from the
Montclair National Bank in 1961. In 1963 an additional $100,000 was
borrowed from the same bank.
Before the renovations were complete, classes were begun by the Filippini
Sisters. The kindergarten through third grade met at 86 Pine Street until
the building was ready. Unfortunately Father Bosio did not witness the
opening of the school. On December 15, 1963, he died after a long illness.
A few months prior to Father Bosio’s death, Reverend Joseph Cevetello had
been made Temporary Administrator. He served in this capacity until June,
1964, when Reverend Annuniziato Crescenti was name d Administrator.
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