OLMC Tenafly Celebrating 150 Years of Faith, Service and Community
Church Renovation Announcement
Dear Friends,
Fr. Richard Supple, O.Carm.
Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Tenafly, N.J. has been proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ since our founding in 1873. What began with the dream of a small but faith-filled community of Catholic families has grown into a lively parish of over 1100 families served continuously by the Carmelites. The first Masses were celebrated in a barn owned by George Mustin Coyte. A year later, a humble box-like wooden Church was built further up the road on the Faley Reservation at the corner of County Road and Prospect Terrace (currently the site of Tenafly Racquet Club).
As the parish continued to grow a new building was needed. The Church we now call home, as well as the older section of the school, was completed in 1952. Each generation has continued to maintain and update our Church as needed. In 1998 Our Lady of Mount Carmel celebrated its 125th Anniversary and a highlight of that celebration was the dedication of a new four-floor elevator providing handicapped access. With the arrival of a new millennium, Fr. Ashley Harrington, O. Carm., the pastor at the time, reminded the parish of our history going back to the humble, but sublime, setting in Bethlehem.
We are now preparing to celebrate our 150th Anniversary. For several years our Finance Council and Parish Council, have been identifying the needs of the parish. We installed two new boilers to heat the school properly, arranged for tuck pointing to be done for the church, and gutters have been repaired or replaced to stem water leakage. The cupola has been an ongoing maintenance issue. Despite several repaintings and repairs, a new maintenance free cupola will be installed very soon.
Concurrent with our anniversary celebration, a more extensive renovation has been planned. This will include a new terrazzo floor, enhanced lighting and sound system, cleaning and repair of stained glass windows, and of course repainting the interior of the church. The extent of this long-planned and much-considered work requires that we move the celebration of the Mass to the lower level. Our planned date is May 15 with project completion slated for mid-November. During this period, all Masses and parish events will continue but in the downstairs area that will be defined as a sacred space.
Our Lady of Mount Carmel has come a long way since its humble beginnings. We are a diverse parish serving the needs of a variety of people. In the New Testament, Jesus invites us to come, follow Him. The journey He invites us to is not supposed to be an easy one, but one that challenges to move us ever closer to Him. Throughout our history, the people of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish have met our challenges. Without sacrifice and commitment, we would not have the wonderful blessings that we currently enjoy. Please see our website www.olmc.us for a short video of our planned renovation.
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Fr. Richard Supple, O.Carm.
Pastor
Review the Plans
Ways to Help
There are several ways to be a part of our renovation! First, pray for us! Mention our project by name in your daily and weekly prayers. Second, spread the word that OLMC is on the move towards a bright future. Join us in hospitality or by becoming a minister today at our Masses as we temporarily move downstairs. Lastly, if you are able, make a contribution to memorialize your family.
Reach out with questions, concerns and comments to Guerra@nullacademyolmc.org today!
Memorial Giving Opportunities
There are memorial-giving opportunities available if you wish to contribute to this project specifically to help deter costs and memorialize your family and intentions for generations to come! For more information email us at rectory@nullolmc.us today!
Tell Us Your Carmel Story!
We are planning a full calendar of worship, service and community events. Enrich our storytelling by telling us your Carmel story! Are you a graduate of our school or religious education programs? We’re you married here at OLMC? Do you have any memories of the past you want to share? Let us know! Reach out to guerra@nullacademyolmc.org today!