Kathy Cogan,
Our Lady of Mt. Carmel

Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, the little, stone church on the knoll along North Church Street in Thurmont, celebrated its 150th anniversary on Sunday, September 24, 2006. Rev. Francis Malooly, auxiliary bishop of Baltimore, presided at the Mass. Many generations have witnessed the growth of Christian faith in this community.

The parish began in 1745 in a chapel 1.5 miles south of Mount St. Mary’s (MSM) on William Elder’s farm. A marble slab there reads: "Here was erected by William Elder, Sr., the first altar to the living God in what is known as Mount St. Mary’s, Emmitsburg, and Mechanicstown communities about the year 1745." Mechanicstown was later named Thurmont, "Gateway to the Mountains.", in 1892.

Rev. William McCloskey, rector of MSM, began a mission here, offering Mass in John Wilhide’s home. Rev. Francis Patrick Kenrick, Archbishop of Baltimore, purchased land from the Walter family and established a building fund. Master mason Cyrus Moser and Daniel Eighenbrode began construction in 1856, using native stone from the Hoffman quary in the Catoctin Mountains. Mr. McComber, laid the slate roof and Fr. George Flaut of MSM, an experienced carpenter, designed and constructed the Gothic altar.

Fr. John McCaffrey, president of MSM, laid the cornerstone on August 30, 1857 and on June 5, 1859, he dedicated the new building under the patronage of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. Priests from MSM served from 1857 to 1881.

Cardinal Gibbons purchased the rectory in 1920. In 1929, Fr. Joseph Curran became pastor and celebrated the parish’s 75th anniversary on May 15, 1931. In preparation, he had the church beautifully re-frescoed. In 1936, with stone from the original quarry, Fr. Walter Read repaired the vestibule and added a stone wall along Church Street . He was the first pastor to lease a parking area from the Western Maryland Railroad (WMR).

In 1940, Fr. Edward Roach hired the Miller Art Glass Company of Baltimore to design and install stained glass windows portraying the life of Christ. That over the main altar portrays Our Lady of Mount Carmel with the Child Jesus. That in the choir loft represents St. Cecilia. The ceiling beams were refinished in natural wood color, and new Gothic lighting fixtures and a Mohler pipe organ were installed.

In 1954, Fr. John Hart renovated the interior in preparation for the centennial. He commissioned the parish crest, designed by Fr. John Martin, to be painted over the arch of the apse. In 1956, Mr. William Matejki, a Czechoslovakian artist, decorated the open beams of the church ceiling in polychrome.

On October 28, 1956, Archbishop Francis Patrick Keough celebrated the 100th Anniversary Mass. Pope Pius XII sent his apostolic blessing. From 1956 to 1981, the parish population grew with Frederick County and its new roads. Parish families grew from 102 to 258.

From 1973 to 1981, Fr. Donald P. Croghan rehabilitated the rectory, rebuilt the church and constructed the parish center. Due to extensive interior repairs, between September and November 1974, all Masses were temporarily celebrated at nearby St. John’s Lutheran Church.

In December 1975, the church purchased the land previously leased from the WMR to constructing a multipurpose building and a groundbreaking ceremony was held on Easter Sunday, 1979.

On June 14, 1981, Mount Carmel celebrated its 125th anniversary with a solemn Mass of thanksgiving. The parish presented Archbishop Borders with a hand-embroidered stole depicting scenes in the history of the parish and archdiocese.

In 1986, Fr. Croghan was transferred and once again, priests from MSM celebrated Mass and provided the sacraments.

In March 1987, Fr. Edward Hemler, pastor of St. Anthony’s Shrine, assumed a joint pastorate, which continued until 2005 when Cardinal Keeler appointed Sister Joan Maenner Pastoral Life Director of the Shrine and Mount Carmel. Priests from MSM provide the liturgy and sacraments.

Entering the 21st century, Mount Carmel witnesses more parishioners active in parish life than ever before. The year 2005 saw 347 families registered, 1002 individuals, and 89 persons actively involved in ministry, including outreach and partnership with a sister parish in Haiti.