Our Lady of Mount Carmel & Fatima Roman Catholic Church
In 1903 Camden saw the founding of the Italian-language parish of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, originally known as the “Italian Catholic Church,” which had grown out of the pastoral work done among the Italian immigrants by Father Michael Di Ielsi. The church building itself was built at 4th and Division Streets around the year 1907, and the bell tower was 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 Hispanic people of Camden and the surrounding area were first served by the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception and Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, Camden. During World War II, the Campbell Soup Company of Camden hired some 300 men from Puerto Rico to work in its facilities. By the end of the war, most of these men had brought their families to the Camden area. By 1953, about 500 Spanish-speaking families were residing in Camden, and several thousand migrant workers were employed on the farms. On February 7, 1953, Father Roque Longo, an Italian priest of the Missionaries of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, began at the invitation of Bishop Eustace to attend to the spiritual needs of Hispanics in Camden. On April 29, 1953, Bishop Eustace erected a national parish for the Spanish-speaking of the city of Camden. The little congregation first held services in a room across the street from the Campbell Soup plant, then moved to Benson Street.
Our Lady of Mount Carmel celebrated its 50th anniversary in 1953, commemorating the occasion by publishing a book covering the history of the parish. This could be considered the high-water mark for the church, as the original Italian families that founded the church and built its schools and other buildings were beginning to migrate to the suburbs. At the time of the 50th anniversary the school had over 1,000 students enrolled.
In November 1974, the Benson Street facilities were closed, and Our Lady of Mt. Carmel and Our Lady of Fatima parishes were united under one pastor at the Mt. Carmel facilities at Fourth and Division Streets. Both parishes continue to exist, but most Masses are attended by Hispanics with small numbers of people of Italian descent.
In 1957, parishioners organized the first Parada San Juan Bautista, a parade celebrating St. John the Baptist, the patron saint of Puerto Rico. The Rev. Leonard Carrieri suggested the idea; today the annual parade draws thousands of spectators each June. Although many of the Italian families who belonged to the church have moved away over the years, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel & Fatima still holds Italian-language services on Fridays and has contact with nearly 500 Italian families in the area.
Located at 832 South 4th Street in Camden, the church is diagonally across the street from the White House, a two-story building designed in the style of a Mediterranean villa, which was the home and place of business of Antonio Mecca, a leading member of Camden's Italian-American community for over 50 years. In 2003 Our Lady of Mount Carmel & Fatima celebrated its 50th and 100th anniversaries.
On April 4, 2008, Bishop Galante announced the following changes affecting churches in Camden and Pennsauken:
- Merge the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception (Camden), Holy Name (Camden) and Our Lady of Mount Carmel & Fatima (Camden), with the primary worship site at the Cathedral and a secondary worship site at Our Lady of Mount Carmel & Fatima.
- Merge St. Joseph Pro-Cathedral (Camden), St. Cecilia (Pennsauken) and St. Veronica (Delair), with the worship site at St. Joseph Pro-Cathedral.
- Merge St. Joan of Arc (Camden) and St. Bartholomew (Camden) with the worship site at St. Joan of Arc.
- Cluster the new parish at St. Joan of Arc (Camden) with Sacred Heart (Camden).
- St. Anthony of Padua (Camden) and St. Joseph Polish (Camden) will remain as stand-alone parishes.
Photos of Our Lady of Mount Carmel and Fatima Church
Inside the Church — July 10, 2004
Interior views of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, July 10, 2004.
In Back of the Church — July 10, 2004
Rear of the church and rectory, July 10, 2004.
Louis Cavallo Marries Miss Jennie Maroccia
Camden Courier-Post — June 27, 1908
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A 1908 account of the marriage of Louis Cavallo and Jennie Maroccia at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, with a reception at the Sons of Italy Hall. Named in the coverage: Father John Proseda, William Troncone, Richard Troncone, Rocco Palese, Nicholas Martella, Rose Marini, Daisy Pucci, Mary Doria, Lillian Giordano, and Grace Merocra.
Entertainment Given by Parochial School
Camden Courier-Post — June 2, 1933
Pupils of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parochial School gave an entertainment for parents and friends at the church hall, Fourth and Division Streets. The program included “I've Got the Mumps” (Kindergarten); Polka (Grade 1); Schottische (Grade 3); Topsy Turvy (Grade 4); Wooden Shoes and dumbbell drill (Grade 5); Waltz (Grade 7); Pantomime (Grade 8); A Holiday Dinner (Grade 6); a tap dance by Tom McKeone; and a class song by the Commercial class.
The commercial graduation was to be held in Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church at 8 p.m. June 7, with diplomas to Helen Brown, Philomena Capone, Emma Carr, Edith Gaspari, Catherine Hammill, Mary Maroccia, Dolores Morrone, Martha Oberst, Anna Pieri, Grace Roselli, Helen Shemelie, Mary Vaneria and Ray Laviano. The grammar-school graduation was set for June 15.
100 Attend Reception Here to Newlyweds
Camden Courier-Post — June 6, 1933
Miss Nettie Viggiano, of 269 Division Street, and Anthony Teti, of 1131 Christian Street, Philadelphia, were married at 4 p.m. yesterday in Mt. Carmel R. C. Church, Fourth and Division Streets. More than 100 attended the wedding reception in Morgan's Hall. Miss Mary Chaslong was bridesmaid and Nicholas Siteverio best man; Anthony Jennetta was in charge of arrangements. The couple will live in Philadelphia after a honeymoon trip.
Knights of St. George Honor Rico Mazzolo
Camden Courier-Post — February 17, 1936
The Knights of St. George, Branch 347, entertained in honor of Rico Mazzolo, a member of the order recently returned from a tour of the United States. Richard A. Troncone presided as toastmaster. Others who spoke were Rev. J. A. Monaco, pastor of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church; Rev. C. A. Cardelia, assistant to Father Monaco; Fred Scatasti, president of the organization; Matty Adinolfi, Michael Mignogna, Frank Mignogna, Carmen Troncone and Frank Sioli.
Catholic Group to Give Show Here Tonight
Camden Courier-Post — February 28, 1938
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Attendance of more than 700 persons was anticipated at a minstrel show given by the Young Men's Catholic Club of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church, Fourth and Division Streets. In addition to the show there was dancing by Marie “Sunshine” Dragonette and the Falco Brothers, and a song-and-dance number by Armira Regan. Dominic Gregorio directed the show, with George Valianti and Armand Paglione as end men and John Ragone as interlocutor.
Police Investigate 3 Fires in 4 Hours in One Section
Camden Courier-Post — July 31, 1952
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The abandoned Kaighn School building, razed by fire on a Wednesday afternoon, was one of three fires within a quarter-mile area, including a fire that threatened Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Roman Catholic Church. Police investigated the theory that the three fires — within three hours and 46 minutes — were the work of an arsonist.
Arthur Ackley & Dorothy Reed Marriage Certificate
June 25, 1955
Marriage certificate of Arthur Ackley and Dorothy Reed, married at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church on June 25, 1955.
Mt. Carmel Procession
Many people would walk in the procession and there were bands playing music. My mother had a favorite saint, which was Our Lady of Mt. Carmel. Every year on July 16th, the feast day of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, my mother had the florist make a big basket of white flowers. This basket would be carried in the procession by a strong teenage girl. Two younger girls, dressed in white, would hold two white ribbons attached to each side of the basket.
Carrying the basket and holding the ribbons was considered an honor and was sought after by many of the little girls. I, of course, being my Mom's daughter, held one ribbon. We would walk for hours in this procession. People who lived along the route would come out and give us a drink of water whenever the procession paused. Interspersed throughout were two bands — the Valeriani band, comprised mostly of older men, and the Mucci Post Band, mostly teenage boys. There was a good-looking, blond young boy playing the saxophone in the Mucci Post Band. I did not know him then, but many years later he would become my husband. His name was John Pontillo.
Most of the mothers walked behind the saint statue. Some of the women did not wear shoes; their stockinged feet would be blistered from the hot surface of the streets. They prayed the rosary as they walked — a personal sacrifice offered to the Blessed Mother for favors received. During the war their numbers increased, as many had sons in the armed services and used the occasion to implore the Blessed Mother to watch over them. The statue would stop from time to time so people could pin money on a ribbon sash. The procession lasted about three hours.
From Growing Up in Camden: Daughter of Immigrants, by Inez Pontillo
Tony Vendetti Memory — February 2009
Our Lady of Mt. Carmel church always had a procession to honor the feast of the Blessed Mother. A band and different holy societies would march from the church site at 4th and Division Streets all the way down to around Mickle Street, then swing around and come back down 3rd Street to the church. They had a very large statue of the Blessed Mother on a platform carried by about six men. A large ribbon hung around the statue and people would pin money on it. There were always a few detectives walking alongside the statue, just in case. Many ladies of the holy societies walked in their stockinged feet. People lined the sidewalks watching. Those were the good old days.
— Tony Vendetti, February 2009
Nancy Sinclare Memory — March 2009
In May 1960 I was asked to carry the Blessed Mother's crown for Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church's May procession, which took us throughout the streets of Camden. Maria DeLuca was the May Queen and crowned the Blessed Mother statue. Every summer there was a bazaar on the grounds of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church and School; in 1959 and 1960 I was selected to be the lead baton twirler at the bazaar, because I was the youngest in the baton class.
— Nancy Pigliacelli Sinclair, March 2009
My First Communion — by Inez Pontillo
It was now time for me to receive my First Holy Communion. Pop had waited eight years for an opportunity to have a big party; he had postponed my baptism earlier because he was unable to afford a party. They had saved and saved, and the time was now. My aunts and their families arrived from Brooklyn and Philadelphia, and Pop rented the Union of Brotherly Love Hall.
On the day before the event, I went with my mother to buy chickens — in those days chickens were bought live. We went to the chicken store and Mom selected about eight live chickens. Jimmy, the chicken man, crated them and drove us home. As we turned into my street, all the chickens were cackling in the back of the truck, and many of the children playing in the street approached to see the spectacle. I was in my glory.
My aunts and Mom's friends cooked the big meal deep into the night. We still did not own a refrigerator; an iceman delivered ice for our icebox. The next day all my cousins and aunts came to church to see me receive the Holy Eucharist, and afterward we went to the hall for the party. Three musicians — Joe Mignogna, Sam Mastrangelo and Pat Giambrone — played guitar, mandolin and accordion. It was an unforgettable occasion.
From Growing Up in Camden: Daughter of Immigrants, by Inez Pontillo
Our Lady of Mount Carmel School — by Loretta Petrillo
I have only my own photo from 1st and 2nd grade at Our Lady of Mount Carmel. My only recollection of those two years was that we had to keep practicing to get under our desks and cover our heads. I do remember having a lot of fun there with many festivities. My first-grade nun was Sister Donato and she was nice. That was 1958–59 and 1959–60, and then we moved out of Camden in July 1960 with most of our friends and family moving in the following few years.
— Loretta Petrillo, June 27, 2009
The Young Men's Catholic Club
The Young Men's Catholic Club of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church was a social club that, in the 1960s, had a clubhouse at the corner of Clare and Division Streets. When the club applied for a renewal of its liquor license in June 1967, the officers were:
- President: Mario Patragnoni, 451 Line Street
- Vice President: Frank S. Fulginiti, 1103 South 4th Street
- Treasurer: Eligio Vassolotti, 311 Beckett Street
- Recording Secretary: Carmen Nocito, 7138 Waldorf Avenue, Pennsauken
- Sergeant-at-Arms: Michael Iezzi, 713 Locust Street
- House Manager: Dominic Cerulli, 1452 Chesapeake Road
Board of Directors: Nicholas Macrina, 434 Pine Street; Dr. Dewey Ragone, 525 Pine Street; and Fiore Rossi, 1178 Haddon Avenue.
Joseph Nazzario in Front of His Barbershop — 1211 S. 4th Street
My grandfather, Joseph Nazzario, started his first and only shop on South 4th Street in Camden. The shop closed 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' houses, who was confined to a bed for a while; a free haircut and shave was provided at no charge. The 50th Anniversary Book of his parish was placed on this site in his memory.
— Gene Robison, November 8, 2009