The Story of a Steeple for Our Lady of Mount Carmel

By SUE CORY

On July 18, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, Easton, celebrated a Steeple Re-Dedication Mass. The Very Reverend William Thompson was the celebrant. We invited past pastors to attend if they were able. Monsignor Thomas Cook was able to be with us for this important and memorable event in the life of our parish. The Knights of Columbus #550 Honor Guard and Hosting Assembly were also present to honor our steeple re-dedication. It was a most memorable Mass for our parish to conclude the reconstruction of the church steeple. Fellowship in Madonna Hall followed Mass, with a celebration dinner served.

A Bit of History

On September 20, 2018, our church steeple went down in a severe storm. We had just started work on a handicapped access addition to the church. There was major damage to the church, roof and the steeple. There were many challenges during this time of reconstruction: not having a priest, getting a priest, COVID, and then losing our beloved priest (Father Gregory Havel) to an illness in February of 2024. On December 24, 2023, our Christmas Eve Mass, the steeple was illuminated for the first time, restoring its presence as a local landmark.

As a point of interest, the church was built in 1915 and completed in 1916. The First Mass in the church was on February 22, 1916, on the Golden Jubilee Year of the parish. Timeframe was 10 months and 10 days! The steeple reconstruction took 5 years, concluding with the cross being placed on top of the steeple on June 21, 2023, by Inspired Heights of Rockford, IL.

Our current pastor, Father Pratap Reddy Salibindla, arrived in our triparish in April of 2024. With all the changes that took place, we were not able to have a steeple rededication until this year to conclude the reconstruction of the church steeple.

Our parish was blessed with many generous benefactors during this time and we thank you! We sincerely thank everyone who helped and had a part in this reconstruction process.

Sue Cory is the office administrator for Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Easton.

Photos courtesy of Tara Rauenhorst.