Our Lady of Mount Carmel R.C. Church

Our Lady of Mount Carmel R.C. Church History

The 10 acre property on North Ocean Avenue in Patchogue, was purchased in 1965 as a dream of Father Raphael Monteleone's to build a larger Church. The original church was on Main Street in 1919 to accomodate the ever increasing Italian population that St. Francis De Sales in Patchogue could no longer accomodate. The name was R.C. Church of S.S. Perpetua & Felicity for four years and changed to Our Lady of Mount Carmel in 1925.
Fr. Montelone realized that the demographics and needs of the town were changing and he changed the parish from an Italian National Parish to a Diocecesan territorial parish. His dream was realized and the New Church was built and opened on May 12, 1968 for its schedule of masses. The church now could seat 1050 and was formally dedicated by Bishop Walter P. Kellenberg on June 9, 1968. Father Monteleone retired in 1975 and Father Alexander L. Sledzaus became Pastor in 1975 until his retirement in 1975. Father Slezaus was a visionary as the Priests before and envisioned a shrine to Our Lady which was completed in 1978 and a School building and a parish center with a Chapel for worship was realized and dedicated on October 28, 1984 by Bishop John R. McGann.
On January 23 1994 the 25/75 anniversary mass was celebrated by Bishop John R. McGann and all Priests that have served at Mt. Carmel Church. The Shrine of Our Lady of Mount Carmel was completed on August 23, 1993 on the lawn in front of the Rectory.