Sunday, November 30, 2003
A North Side church offers a taste of heaven.
YOUNGSTOWN -- Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church remains an oasis of peace, beauty and activity in the inner city.
While officials and agencies work on plans to revitalize Youngstown, the church continues to draw people from the Mahoning Valley and beyond for spiritual and family events.
Many people are aware of the church, but "a lot of people don't know we're here," said Monsignor Michael J. Cariglio, the pastor.
The church was founded in 1908 by Italian immigrants at a time when the Ku Klux Klan was active locally.
The congregation decided "it wasn't their cup of tea," the monsignor said.
Today, 95 percent of the couples at the church have at least one member who is Italian, though all are welcome, the monsignor said.
Clean and neat
And what a welcome. The church and its grounds, off East Rayen Avenue at 343 Via Mount Carmel, are extremely clean and neat. A statue of Our Lady overlooks Smoky Hollow, where the Wick Neighbors plan to build a residential community.
Inside the church are nine statues and 12 stained-glass windows depicting various Biblical figures. The stunning sanctuary draws tours organized by the Youngstown/Mahoning County Convention and Visitors Bureau.
A church brochure for visitors describes the works of art and says Our Lady is a place of quiet, reverence and prayer.
Youngstown State University President David C. Sweet recently called for a cleanup campaign in the downtown, noting it would have a symbolic effect.
The church spends more than $100,000 a year maintaining the buildings and grounds. Monsignor Cariglio said he was at a loss to explain the potholes, litter and empty beer cans that he sees in the city.
Longtime practice
Our Lady has been keeping its property in top shape for a long time. Monsignor Cariglio said he didn't have to start from scratch when setting the rules and methods for repairs. The two previous pastors helped establish the practices.
At Our Lady, the work that goes into maintaining the buildings and grounds is a way to achieve the church's goals, the monsignor said.
The quiet, the prayer and the cleanliness are designed to be "a foretaste of the kingdom of God," the pastor said.
In addition to a sense of what their beautiful reward will be in paradise, the pastor said, visitors may also experience through the presence of the paintings and statues "a little piece of heaven on earth."
And experience it they do. The church has 1,174 families.
Others attracted
But Our Lady also draws the faithful from out of town who come for annual retreats, as well as the community and social events.
Frank Frattaroli of Struthers is a longtime church member who helps run steak dinners, pizza parties and even a magic show for kids, all at affordable prices. A steak dinner for two with all the trimmings is $15.
"We don't advertise. It's not on the radio," he said.
He knows the social hall can seat up to 286 people, and sells the tickets through word of mouth.
The money goes into the church, as do funds from the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Italian Festival, which last year alone gave more than $20,000 to the church for upkeep.
"We just try to help the church," said Tony Trolio, the head of the festival.
The festival draws people to a part of the city that's clean and safe, Trolio added.
wilkinson@vindy.com