Parish History

Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish: An Historical Sketch

Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church stands on a hill on Via Mount Carmel (formerly Summit Avenue) in Youngstown, Ohio. It is among the few remaining Italian ethnic parishes in the United States, and stands as a symbol of the Italo-American heritage.

Italian-American pioneers surrounded their pastor on this hill at the turn of the Twentieth Century with a sense of creative industry and positive ambition, to make their dreams a reality.

In 1908 Father Emmanuel Stabile arrived from the Diocese of Newark, New Jersey to conceive Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church. Spirited by his flock, under the leadership of Luigi Adovasio and Frank Zarlenga, Father initiated the first excavation of Our Lady of Mount Carmel.

While the church structure was taking form, the early parish community worshipped at Saint Columba Cathedral and Saints Cyril and Methodius Church. Later they moved to their own 79 foot long basement rising several feet from the ground and roofed for church use.

In these days, the parish was part of the Diocese of Cleveland, under the pastoral leadership of Bishops Ignatius Frederick Horstmann (1891-1908) and John Patrick Farrelly (1909-1921).

On May 11, 1911, the well-known Monsignor Vito Franco accepted the call to guide and lead the flock of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish. After two years of acclimation to his new parish, Monsignor called a meeting of the outstanding leaders of the Italian community. That group included Luigi Adovasio, Antonio Onorato, F. A. Maddas, Andrea Colucci, James Colucci, Dr. Rocco Montani, Raffaele Parilla, Gregorio Silvestri, Luigi Agnonoe, Atty James Modarelli, Gabrielo Masi, Francesco Pascarella, and many others. Antonio Onorato was unanimously elected the group's leader.

On July 20, 1913, the existing basement church roof was opened and work on the new church began. The immigrant community was inspired by the vision of a new, beautiful church. As meeting followed meeting, the growing enthusiasm attracted new workers with iron wills and inflexible principles. This group included Marco Antonelli, Michael and Daniel Parish, Frank Mancini, D. Ferreri, Antonio Cafaro, E. Diana, M. Ricci, John Rondinella, N. Sebastiano, G. Capuzella, B. Vitullo, V. Fortunato, Vito Agostino, James Tisone, E. Porfilio, R. Marinelli, P. Gentile, J. Liga, Mrs. Melito and others.

On November 4, 1916, the construction of a parish church - a genuine symbol of Catholic faith and spirit - was complete, and Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church was dedicated.

Tragically, the joy of this Italian village church was short-lived. A fire of unknown origin struck on June 12, 1923. Among the scars of the destructive fire was the loss of the beautiful Holkamp Pipe Organ, which had been donated in part by the millionaire Andrew Carnegie, and in part by the faithful.

Also damaged or completely destroyed were the artistic windows, pews, ten statues, three altars, the carpeting, floor, candelabra, brass chandeliers, and other cherished church articles.

On December 16, 1923, a congregation made stronger and more united by the fire dedicated the restored church.

Time passed and the flock of Our Lady of Mount Carmel grew in faith, hope and love under the watchful eye of its pastor. After many fruitful years with his Italian people, and having joyfully celebrated his 50th anniversary of priesthood, the aged Monsignor Franco died in 1961.

Father Henry Fabrizio succeeded Monsignor Franco in 1961. Under Father Fabrizio's able leadership and persevering vigor, a new generation of parishioners, along with the senior faithful, bought parcels of property and created into a beautiful setting for their diamond: Our Lady of Mount Carmel.

In 1963, with the very generous help of his flock, Father Fabrizio and the congregation brought to completion a new rectory and a large social hall with classrooms for religious and cultural education. A shrine garden in honor of St. Anthony was also added to Mount Carmel's beautiful grounds in 1971. The shrine memorializes the deceased of the parish. Father Fabrizio's work - the A new rectory, parish center and the St. Anthony Garden - were a successful effort on his part to halt the parishioner exodus to the suburbs.

Following these accomplishments, and due to an unfortunate illness, Father Fabrizio retired from active ministry.

On July 3, 1973, Father Joseph Leo Iati accepted the pastorate. The new pastor and his flock accepted the challenge to build and renew the Christian community. Father Iati's pastorate brought the restoration of the altars, frescoes and the installation of a new pipe organ.

There are many treasures of art within the church, which is a living sign of adoration and praise to Almighty God through the patronage of the Blessed Virgin Mary, under the title of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. Many deserve thanks for their help, including Mr. Edward J. DeBartolo Sr. and family, Mr. William Cafaro and family, and Carmen and Rose Ambrosiol.

On May 23, 1979 Our Lady of Mount Carmel was given special status and listed as an Historical Landmark by the US Department of the Interior.

In 1983 the parish community joyfully celebrated its 75th anniversary.

Father Iati passed away in May 1986.

Bishop Malone named Father Michael J. Cariglio, Jr. as the fifth pastor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel on July 1, 1986. During his pastorate, the parish community, with the cooperation of the Parish Council, has continued and fostered with strength and confidence the genuine spirit of the parish family.

Monsignor Cariglio has continued the restoration of the church, extension of the St. Anthony Garden, the purchase and restoration of a building on Via Mt. Carmel, which has become the religious education center, a memorial walk to honor our living and deceased parishioners and installation of outdoor Stations of the Cross.

In 1990, Monsignor Cariglio instituted Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, which continues perpetually to this day. In that year, the parish dedicated a 10 foot tall statue of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, which overlooks the city of Youngstown, and stands as a monument to our Catholic faith and dedication to Mary.

In 2001, monsignor Cariglio led the parish in its latest building project, the construction of a tower attached to the church, which includes an elevator and handicapped-accessible restrooms.

An ongoing program of improvements continues to beautify the parish grounds and landscape.

In 2005, the duplex house that the parish uses for religious education classes was re-named and dedicated The John Paul II Center. The parish has a full time Director of Religious Education for the children, youth and adult education programs.

Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church continues to be a jewel in the center of Youngstown, and a tribute to the dedication of its people and energy and enthusiasm of its pastors. There are 1175 families from the area who live out their Catholic faith as members of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church.

The Pastors of Our Lady of Mount Carmel

Reverend Father Emmanuel Stabile

The young Italian priest, Father Emmanuel Stabile, came from southern Italy around the area of Naples. He was educated in Florence, Italy, and ordained in Naples. Father was a professor of Greek, Latin and philosophy as well as being a doctor of Canon Law.

Father Stabile arrived in America as an Apostolic Missionary and conceived Our Lady of Mount Carmel church in 1908.

Father Stabile died in Italy from a serious illness in 1911.

Reverend Monsignor Vito Franco

The career of Monsignor Franco began when he entered the seminary in Italy at the age of 12. After ordination he spent two years in Naples. Struck by the great number of priests and the small amount of work in his diocese, he asked permission to come to America. In 1906, the Monsignor arrived in Niles, unable to speak English but anxious to begin his work and there he organized Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish.

After five years there, he was named Pastor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Youngstown which at that time occupied only half of a basement as its Church. In a very short time and with the help and cooperation from Youngstown Italian immigrants, Monsignor raised $80,000 for a new structure, one of the most beautiful in the diocese.

It is here that many Italians today can look back and point with pride to the devoted guidance of the Monsignor, who even found time to teach the Sunday school classes himself. This community can be truly grateful to this great man, who gave his life to this community teaching his people the right way to live. Monsignor Franco was a priest for 57 years and his religious talents were recognized when he was elevated to the title of Right Reverend Monsignor.

On September 13, 1961, The Right Reverend Monsignor Vito Franco, beloved Pastor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, passed away after suffering a cerebral hemorrhage. This marked the end of one of the most dedicated, devout and brilliant religious leaders in our community.

Reverend Father Henry Edward Fabrizio

Father Fabrizio was born October 14, 1921, in Wilburton, Oklahoma, the son of Samuel & Lena Massaro Fabrizio. He attended St. Ann School and Ursuline High School before beginning his seminary studies at St. Charles Seminary, Catonsville, Maryland and St. Mary Seminary, Cleveland. He was ordained a priest of the Diocese of Youngstown on April 29, 1950 by Bishop James McFadden.

Father Fabrizio served as associate pastor at St. Nicholas Parish, Struthers, Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Youngstown, St. Joan of Arc Parish, Canton and St. Rose Parish, Girard. He was also on the faculty of Ursuline High School.

He became pastor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Youngstown, on October 6, 1961 and served as pastor until his retirement on July 1, 1973.

During his ministry, Father Fabrizio served as dean of Mahoning County, chaplain of Mahoning County Sheriff's Department, chaplain of the Italian American Committee on Migration, moderator of the Mahoning County Council of Catholic Nurses, a judge for the Diocesan Tribunal and a friar for the Fourth Degree Monsignor John W. Klute General Assembly of the Knights of Columbus.

Reverend Father Joseph L. Iati

A native of North Bay, Ontario, Canada, Father Iati was born on March 23, 1931. As a youth, he attended St. Rita Elementary and North Bay Collegiate High Schools in Ontario, before moving to Youngstown where he graduated from South High School. During his college years, Father attended Youngstown State and John Carroll Universities, before entering the seminary at St. Gregory in Cincinnati. Father Iati studied theology at Mount St. Mary Seminary, Norwood, Ohio. Bishop Emmet M. Walsh ordained him a priest on May 30, 1959.

Father Iati served as Associate Pastor of St. Charles Parish, Boardman, Our Lady of Peace Parish, Canton, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, Youngstown and St. Peter Parish, Canton.

In 1973, he was appointed Pastor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel.

Aditionally, Father has served as Chaplain and Faithful Friar of the Knights of Columbus, Chaplain to the Police and Fire Departments in Canton, Secretary-Treasurer of the Boardman Ministerial Association and Grand State Chaplain of the Sons of Italy.

Reverend Monsignor Michael J. Cariglio, Jr.

Michael J. Cariglio, Jr. was born May 2, 1944 in Ravenna, Ohio. After seminary studies at Saint Gregory and Mount Saint Mary in Cincinnati and The North American College in Rome, he was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Youngstown on December 18, 1970 in St. Peter's Basilica by Cardinal James Hickey.

He served as associate pastor of St. Patrick Church in Kent, taught in the diocesan high schools, and has been pastor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Youngstown since 1986. Serving the diocesan tribunal since 1978, he became the adjutant judicial vicar in 1988, and currently is the Judicial Vicar.

He holds Masters degrees in Philosophy from the Athenaeum of Ohio and in Education from Notre Dame University, a licentiate in Theology from the Gregorian University in Rome, and received his licentiate in Canon Law from The Catholic University of America in 1980.

He was named a Chaplain of His Holiness on March 23, 1997.