Italians of Montclair - The Founding of the Parish

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The Founding of the Parish

In the early years, the religious needs of the Italian Catholics were met, to the best of their ability, by the pastors of the nearby parishes. In 1905, Reverend Joseph Mendl, pastor of Immaculate Conception Church, called upon Reverend Giovanni DeRosa, and later Reverend N. D’Annibale, to hear confessions and preach in Italian. They lived in Immaculate Conception rectory and conducted services in the parish auditorium. Although the Italian community appreciated the work of these priests, they wanted a church where they would feel at home and where they could maintain and practice the religious customs of their native land.

They had formed many mutual aid societies, usually named after the patron saint of the village of origin of the people. One of these organizations was the Sociata della Madonna del Carmine. After the turn of the century this society began to collect funds with the purpose of building a church for the Italian Catholics of Montclair. They petitioned the Bishop of Newark, the Right Reverend John J. O’Connor, to establish a national parish for the Italians of Montclair and the surrounding towns. Bishop O’Connor directed Reverend Paul Lisa, originally from Turin, Italy, to Montclair to establish the new parish and to construct a church.

In 1907, Father Paul Lisa arrived to serve the Italian-speaking Catholics. After spending several weeks in residence at Immaculate Conception rectory, he moved to 86 Greenwood Avenue. He immediately initiated a fund-raising campaign to build a church. The name, “Our Lady f Mount Carmel” was adopted from the mutual aid society Madonna del Carmine, whose members had aided the establishment of the parish. Although the church building, which would accommodate about three hundred, was not yet completed. Father Lisa celebrated mass in it for the fist time of Sunday, September 8, 1907. On that occasion the Montclair Times commented:
Father Lisa is doing good work among his people. If any of our philanthropists wish to help along a really worthy undertaking, a contribution sent to him at 86 Greenwood Avenue will be greatly appreciated.

One week after the first Mass, the Christian community grew as Nicolina Franciosi and Paquale Ferraro were received into the church through the sacrament of Baptism. On the same day the first wedding in the new church was performed uniting Antonio Pisano and Maria Giannetto.

Music was an important part of the parish services. The 10:30 AM Sunday Mass was designated as the “High Mass.” A male choir under the direction of Miss Kate Lamb assisted at this mass and were aided by soloists Mrs. William Neidlinger and Miss D. Hartwyk.

The parish immediately began to fill its role as a foal point in the lives of the Italian Americans of the Montclair area. Father Lisa, the pioneer pastor, remained until 1915 when he was transferred to St. Anthony’s Church in Union Cit, New Jersey.