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In 1903 Camden saw the founding of the Italian language parish of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, originally know as the "Italian Catholic Church" that had grown out of the pastoral work done among the Italian immigrants by Father Michael Di Ielsi. The church building itself was built at South 4th and Division Streets around the year 1907, and the bell tower added in 1945. The Church was not only a spiritual center but a social one as well. The Young Men's Catholic Club of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church maintained its clubhouse nearby at 825-827 Clare Street, the corner of Clare Street and Division Street. The church celebrated its 50th Anniversary in 1953 and published a book to commemorate the occasion. Thanks to Gene Robison, whose grandparents and parents were members of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel at the time of publication, this book is being reproduced on this website. |
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HISTORY IN the year 1903, the first Mass of the new Italian parish was celebrated by the Reverend Michael Di Ielsi in the humble and unimposing residence of a German family situated at Third and Line Streets. The Italian populace was overjoyed at having their first Mass. The
need for a more spacious site for the celebration of Holy Mass was soon
felt and the congregation immediately went about the task of locating
another building. A building at the N. E. corner of South Fourth and
Cherry Streets proved to be the ideal answer to this pressing need. Thus,
with a building suitable for their church and a congregation ever
increasing in size, actual incorporation proceedings were established and
completed on August 25, 1903. The parish had now become a legal entity. The
priests and trustees of the new parish, however, all the while realized
that the present site was inadequate for this growing Italian community
and in the year 1904, they successfully completed the purchase of the
properties at 912-914 and 918 South
Fourth Street, for the sum of
$4,500.00. On these properties they hoped eventually to erect a more
spacious and church-like edifice. However, the plans of Almighty God for
this budding parish were different. In
the year 1868, the parish of SS. Peter and
Paul, which formerly ministered
to the spiritual needs of the people of this area, acquired a Baptist
church building at the site which was to later bear the present church.
Addition of a rectory and hall were completed in 1883. This, in later
years proved inadequate for the German congregation which moved to its
present site on Spruce Street above
Broadway. The Reverend pastor of Our
Lady of Mount Carmel, realizing that the acquisition of this property
would be more advantageous to the needs of his growing parish, began
negotiating for the purchase of this property. The transfer of the plant,
which consisted of a wooden Church, the present rectory and Church hall,
was completed in 1907 for the sum of $9,700.00. Sensing
the need for a newer and more spacious church building, the wooden
structure was torn down and the present one was begun. With
Thomas Stephen as architect and Daniel H.
Sharp, the contractor, the work
progressed at a rapid rate and was soon completed. Thus the overjoyed
parishioners were able to assist at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass offered
in this beautiful new church. Later on, additional ad· joining properties
were purchased so as to consolidate the parish's holdings. War prevented
further expansion and limited parish activities. With
the cessation of hostilities, peace and the Reverend Brendan Shea came to
Our Lady of Mt. Carmel. Here was an incident to demonstrate the
Catholicity of the Church - an Irish pastor charged with the spiritual
welfare of an Italian congregation. The passing years would gain for him
the filial love of his flock. Envisioning the need for quarters for the
good Sisters who daily journeyed to School from the Convent adjoining SS.
Peter and Paul Church, Father Shea purchased properties at 840 and 842 South
Fourth Street, as well as 411 and 413 Spruce Street
and 837 Dauphin
Street (formerly known as Kaighn Street) for $30,000.00 in 1923, and 417 Spruce Street
for $5,000.00 in 1925. A
basement Chapel dedicated to St. Theresa of the Child Jesus, the Little
Flower, was dedicated in 1926. The pious people of the parish put forth
the sum of $10,000.00 so that this tribute to one of the beloved saints of
God might become a reality. Meanwhile,
the school flourished, and a Commercial department was instituted so
that the children of the parish might receive a better and fuller
education. This new move proved to be and continues to be a successful
venture into the realm of higher education. The educational expansion in
the parish did not halt at this point; in 1928 a new addition of a second
and third floor was made to the old school building. This growth placed
the parish in debt, to the amount of $24,000.00, adding to the existing
debt. On
Wednesday, June 13, 1928, the beloved pastor, Father Brendan Shea was
called by his heavenly Master to his richly deserved reward. Thousands of
sad eyed parishioners, many of whom were personal friends of this popular
priest, filed past the bier with bowed heads, paying their last tribute to
this faithful man of God, who had labored among them almost from the time
he was ordained. The
Reverend John Prosseda was appointed to succeed Father Shea. Though his
pastorate lasted but two short years, he was able to begin the
construction of the present convent for the School Sisters of Notre Dame. The
eventual completion of this project came during the pastorate of the
Reverend Joseph A. Monaco, who was appointed in 1930. Father Monaco
brought to this parish not only the priestly characteristics required of
him but also a wise business mind. The debt which he inherited along with
the $48,000.00 required for the building of the new convent, amounted to
well over $100,000.00. It was his constant desire to rid the parish of
this enormous burden. His task was made even more difficult by the
economic depression that befell this nation in the thirties. In order to
defray the expenses of the parish and afford his flock some wholesome
enjoyments, he wisely inaugurated a series of carnivals to celebrate the
various feast days of the Church. These proved to be highly successful and
were the forerunner of our present annual carnival. At the same time, he
was instrumental in the establishment of many parish societies, taking a
personal interest in them. Through his constant solicitude for his
pastoral duties, he managed to reduce the parish debt as well as further
the spiritual welfare of his parishioners. Tired and worn by the constant
cares of his pastorate, and the ravages of illness, he journeye homeward
to his Eternal Father in 1944. His
diligent assistant, the Reverend Michael Argullo, was appointed
administrator in the fall of 1944. Under his capable guidance, a drive was
instituted to rid the parish of its heavy debt. The ever faithful
parishioners responded to his appeal in surprising fashion. Not only was
the debt liquidated but sufficient funds were donated for the erection of
the magnificent and imposing campanile, which graces the epistle entrance
of the Church. Unable
to disregard the accomplishments of this energetic and zealous young
priest. His Excellency, the Most Reverend Bartholomew J. Eustace, Bishop
of the Diocese of Camden, New Jersey, pleased the assembled congregation
at the dedication of the Bell Tower, with the announcement of Father
Michael's elevation to the pastorate of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish.
This responsibility only served to fire this young priest to newer and
greater accomplishments. In
1949, the old school buildings were taxed beyond capacity with the influx
of hundreds of new students seeking a Catholic education. Unable to
alleviate the overcrowded conditions immediately, Father Michael leased
the old Mulford School from the City of Camden, located on
South
Third
and
Walnut Streets, for $500.00 a year. At the same time, plans were being
formed for the erection of a modern institution of learning. In 1953, this
dream became a realization with the opening of an eleven classroom
building at the cost of over $200,000.00. A drive to defray the expenses
involved in providing these additional educational facilities for the
youth of this parish is now under way. During
these eventful years, which have seen this parish grow from infancy to one
of the largest in the diocese, many things have become traditional. There
were the processions and society functions of the past, there are the
processions and society functions of the present, all serving to focus
interest in and around the Church itself. As the spiritual side of Church
life which though ancient and unchanging ever proves to be a new and
vital, so too has been the development of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish.
May Our Divine Lord and His Most Blessed Mother continue to shower us with their blessings and love, just as They have through these fifty years of the history of the parish we all love |
| CERTIFICATE
OF INCORPORATION OF OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL CHURCH, CAMDEN, NEW JERSEY New
Jersey Camden County Whereas,
in pursuance of an Act of the Legislature of the State of New Jersey,
approved April ninth, A.D. eighteen hundred and seventy five, entitled
"An Act to Incorporate Trustees of Religious Societies", the
Right Reverend James A. McFaul, Roman Catholic Bishop of the Diocese of
Trenton, the Very Reverend John H. Fox, Vicar General of said Diocese,
and the Reverend Michael Di Ielsi, now being the Rector of the Roman
Catholic Church, now known as "Italian Catholic Church", in
the city of Camden, in said County, have selected Antonio Mecca and
Francesco Travascia, two lay members of said Church according to the
provisions of said Act. and for the purpose of incorporating said
Church. Now, therefore, we, the said James A. McFaul, Bishop as
aforesaid, John H. Fox, Vicar General as aforesaid, Michael Di Ielsi,
Rector as aforesaid and Antonio Mecca and Francesco Travascia, the lay
members aforesaid, do further, in pursuance of the provisions of said
Act and for the purpose aforesaid, hereby certify that the name by
which we and our successors shall be known and distinguished as a body
corporate, is "Our Lady of Mount Carmel. Camden. N. J." Witness
our hands, this 25th day of August in the year of Our Lord one thousand
nine hundred and three - James
A. McFaul, Bishop Received
and Recorded, August 27th, 1903 Eight
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A
copy of the first Share issued to Thomas Auletto, a local barber, for
one dollar in 1908 to help
defray part of the then existing debt of $14,000. Haircuts in those days were 10¢. Copia
delIa prima azione, in favore di Tommaso Auletto, barbiere in Camden,
del valore di un dollaro, emessa nel 1908, per
aiutare il debito delIa Chiesa, allora di $14,000.00. Un
taglio di capelli in quei giorni era 10¢
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Father
Brendan Shea leads a procession P.
Brendan Shea nella processione |
Annual
procession in honor of L'annuale
processione delia |
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Father
John Prosseda leads a procession in honor of St. Gabriel in the year
1929. P. John Prosseda nella processione di S. Gabriele nel 1929. Ten |
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 Directly above: an artist's conception of the New School Addition completed in 1953 at a cost of over $200.000. Sopra: artistico progetto delia nuova ala scolastica, eseguita nel 1953 e costata piu' di $200.000. HISTORY
OF ALTHOUGH
the parish of Our Lady of Mt.
Carmel was opened in 1903, it was not until 1908 that our school opened
with an enrollment 01
319 children and two teachers -
Sisters Mary Verda and a candidate, Alice Holland, of the School Sisters
of Notre Dame. As the number of pupils was too great for two teachers, a
third was sent for the little ones. The kindergarten was opened the
following year. At this time the school was called St. Michael's and under
this title it continued until the pastorate of Father Shea. Early
enrollments fluctuated between two and three hundred pupils and three or
four teachers, but already by 1925 we had 890 children and in 1927, the
enrollment reached 1081. This made the problem of overcrowded classrooms a
serious one. Accordingly Father Shea added two floors to what had been a
one-story building. In 1949 the abandoned Public School at South Third and Walnut Street, known to us as "The Annex" was leased. This building in the beginning housed four or five classes, but a little later seven grades were taught here. In
1951 the walls and ceilings of our Spruce Street School were giving
symptoms of old age and the superintendent ordered all grades to leave
this part of the school. Teaching then took place in the meeting rooms off
the hall. Building again was the order of the day, and we all know the
result. Our beautiful, modern eleven-room school was opened this
September. In 1927 the parish offered our graduates a business course. The first year started with 21 pupils, both boys and girls. In 1938 due to over-crowded rooms, help was obtained from one of our old graduates and about nine years ago another commercial teacher was added to the faculty. Today the Business School has an enrollment of 135 girls. We can be proud of the reputation our commercial school has among the business people of Camden. The
history of our school is a story of growth and progress. We have under our
care over 1.000 children who are cared for by 21 teachers. |
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 Father Brendan Shea and one of the graduation classes on his day. P. Brendan Shea con una delle classi graduate nel suo tempo. |
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Bottom Row, Left to Right, Sister M, Blanca, Sister M. Liberta, Sister M. Elvira, Sister M. Alphonsine, Sister M. Constantine, Sister M. Thrasilla, Sister M. Humiliana. Middle Row, Left to Right, Sister M. Amida, Sister Maryalma, Sister M. A uxilia , Sister M. Hildegard, Sister M. Humilia, Sister Mariangela, Sister M. Emile, Sister M. Antonino. Top Row, Left to Right, Sister M. Earline, Sister Anna Marie, Sister M. Gaudenlia, Sister M. Generosa, Sister M. Cassia, Sister M. Fides. HISTORY
OF THE THE Congregation of the School Sisters of Notre Dame was established in Bavaria in 1833. Fourteen years later their Mother Foundress, Mother Mary Teresa, answered the appeal of a Bishop in the United States by bringing four sisters to this country. Their number increased rapidly, and their first motherhouse in the United States was opened in Baltimore, Maryland. As early as 1872 Mother Mary Caroline, the first sister to be placed in charge of the order in this country, brought some of the School Sisters to Camden to teach in SS. Peter and Paul's School. These
sisters lived in a frame house on the corner of Spruce and Dauphin
Streets, which house had been purchased by the School Sisters of Notre
Dame. They continued to live there after the church and school of SS.
Peter and Paul had been sold to Our Lady of Mount Each
year new classes were added, until the sisters were teaching in every
available room what is now the garage, the Young Men's Catholic Club, and
what was the clubroom of the Knights of St. George. Until
1920, the sisters who taught both schools lived in the Spruce Street
convent. That year, the parish of SS.
Peter and Paul provided a convent
for their teaching sisters at 834 Broadway.
Sister M. Philip Neri was the first Sister Superior of the Italian school.
In
1926, Reverend Father Shea purchased the convent property from the School
Sisters of Notre Dame, hoping to build a new convent for the sisters.
However, this was not possible until four years later. In
1930, the
sisters moved to the third floor of the school building, and the frame
house which had been used for a convent was razed. Right Reverend Bishop
McMahon of the Trenton diocese helped Father Joseph Monaco raise funds to
build a new and modern three-story brick convent. By
that time, there were nineteen sisters in the community, and they taught
750 children, One of these sisters - Sister M. Ferdinand - died soon after
moving into the new convent, in November, 1930,
and is buried in Calvary Cemetery. Sister
M. Magdalena, who had been one of the pioneers when Our Lady of Mt. Carmel
School was opened, labored in other fields for a few years, then returned
to our parish. Sister spent thirty years in this parish, teaching
kindergarten and doing church work for most of that time. At
present there are twenty-one sisters in our convent. We also have one lay
teacher, and an enrollment of 1,071 pupils.
As
each year brings new improvements, we are confident that the teachers,
parents, and pupils will cooperate with our parish priests to make Our
Lady of Mt. Carmel School the best school in Camden. |
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Religious
Vocations from Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish PRIEST:
Rev.
Louis Di Nunzio, O.F.M. SISTERS:
Sister
Letizia Luciani, M.P.F. Sister
Angeline Lo Perfido, M.P.F. (1928) Sister
Esther Del Duca, M.P.F. (1930) Sister
M. Ancilla, S.S.N.D. (Anna Castellano - 1931) Sister M. Denisia, S.S.N.D. (Margaret Filippo - 1931) Sister
Anna Marini, M.P.F. (1932) Sister
Anna Zippilli, M.P.F. (1932) Sister M. Donata, S.S.N.D. (Lucy Fanelle - 1932) Sister
M. Valentino, S.S.N.D. (Anna Smaldore - 1936) Sister
Rose Scarfo, M.P.F. (1936) Sister M. Cabrini. S.S.N.D. (Mary Castellano - 1937) Sister
M. Gimelda, S.S.N.D. (Margaret Gimello - 1940) Sister
M. Annunziata, S.S.N.D. (Donata Cristalli - 1948) Sister
M. Dolorette, S.S.N.D. (Edith De Giosio - 1948) |
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Trustees
of
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Mt.
Carmel "Firsts" THE
FIRST BAPTISMS took place on August 23rd, 1903. Two children were
baptised that day and the Baptismal record registers them as follows: LUIGI
DIVONE di Mauro e Teresina Falatico GIOVANN
ANTONIO IACOVELLI di Domenico e Nicola Tartumaso THE
FIRST WEDDINGS took place on October 26th, 1903. Two couples were
married that day and the Matrimonial Register records them as follows: ANTONIO
SAPONARI di Giovanni e di Maria Ciliberti di anni 47 da Salandra (Basilicata)
s'e' sposato con: MICHELINA
MASTRULLI di Antonio e di Maria Duaniero di anni 19 da Boiano (Molise)
il giorno 26 Ottobre 1903 nella Chiesa Cattolica di Maria SS del
Carmine. Testimoni:
Francesco Duaniero e Carmine Mastrulli. FRANCESCO
D'AGOSTINO di Giuseppe e di Angela Raineri di anni 26 da Gesso (Italy)
s'e' sposato con: MARIA
GIUSEPPA GIASI di Antonio e di Maria Felicia Altamura di anni 16 da
Salandra il giorno 26 Ottobre, 1903 nella Chiesa Cattolica di Maria SS
del Carmine. Testimoni:
Antonio Calabro e Lucietta Castellani. The
"FIRST" FIRST HOLY COMMUNION. CLASS received Holy Communion on
Christmas Day, December 25, 1904. Twenty one children received. The
FIRST CONFIRMATION was conferred by His Excellency the Most Reverend
James McFaul, Bishop of Trenton on December 18th, 1904. Nine children
were confirmed. Twenty
Eight
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Twenty Nine |
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Certainly the life of any parish is the activities of its Societies. Our parish has been blessed both with the number and the quality of its many societies. We are proud to present here and in the following pages the photos of those active groups of men and women who form such an intimate part of our parish life-unfortunately, we were unable to obtain photos of them all, but these we do present as a token of our sincere gratitude
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Officers of the Parent
Teachers Association The Ladies of Mt.
Carmel Society |
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Sitting (left to right) Laura Calzonetti, Mrs. Anthony Laviano, Father Michael, John Bantivoglio (chairman), Mrs. Charles Rifice, Richard A. Troncone, Frank Grella. Standing (left to right) Fred Di Giuseppe, Angelo Di Persia, Peter Neri, Joseph Saitta, Rosario Russo, Mildred Boyer, William Darpino, Vola Zinnie, Margaret Quaciari, Leo Italiano, Adele Richardt, Angie Di Pilla, Mrs. Millie Di Giuseppe, Leonard Viggiano, Nicholas Lo Presti, Umberto Berardis, Dominic Di Stefano. Forty Three |
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Parish Patrons JT. BOARD LADIES
GARMENT WORKERS UNION Forty Four
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Joseph Nazzario My Grandfather. Joseph Nazzario, started his first and only shop on South 4th Street in Camden. The shop closed up after his passing in 1964. He was a long time parishioner of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, and a member of its Italian Holy Name Society. When I was a kid, I remember going with him to one of his long time customers house, who was confined to a bed for a while. A free haircut and shave was provided free at no charge . The 50th Anniversary Book of his parish was placed on this site in his memory." Gene
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