Our Lady of Mount Carmel

History of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish

Founded in 1905 by Bishop Eugene Garvey to minister to Italian immigrants in Altoona, the parish was first called Our Lady of Lourdes before its name was changed by Fr. William Cavallo to Our Lady of Mount Carmel. After three short-lived pastors, the T.O.R. Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate Conception Province took over on December 31, 1909 under Fr. Jerome Zazzara, beginning a Franciscan ministry that continues to this day. Fr. Jerome established the Assumption Chapel mission in 1925, and the parish marked its centennial with a festive celebration on October 16, 2005.

• Founded 1905
• Named Our Lady of Mount Carmel by Fr. Cavallo
• Franciscan T.O.R. pastors since 1909
• Assumption Chapel opened October 4, 1925
• Centennial celebrated 2005

Worship Sites

Our Lady of Mount Carmel worships across two historic sites: the mother church on 11th Street in Altoona, and the mission chapel of Our Lady of the Assumption in the Pleasant Valley neighborhood.

Parish Staff

The parish is led by a Franciscan pastor and a full lay staff supporting music, faith formation, sacraments, and facilities. Parochial vicar Fr. Patrick Corrigan, T.O.R., assists the pastor, while dedicated directors oversee Christian Initiation, religious education, Confirmation (youth and adult), music, choir, and maintenance.

• Pastor: Fr. Frank Scornaienchi, T.O.R.
• Parochial Vicar: Fr. Patrick Corrigan, T.O.R.
• Parish Executive Assistant: Mrs. Lynn Parson-Musselman
• Director of Music: Mr. Claude Fabinyi
• Choir Director: Mrs. Arlene Huth
• Coordinator of Religious Education: Mrs. Rebecca Hoover
• Confirmation Director: Mrs. Samantha Pope
• Director of Christian Initiation: Mrs. Kathi Saller
• Director of Adult Confirmation: Mr. Daniel Spinazzola
• Director of Maintenance: Mr. Jeff Benz

Ministries & Liturgical Roles

Published ministry schedules on the parish website show active rosters for the principal liturgical roles. The parish also runs faith formation for children, youth Confirmation preparation, and an RCIA (Christian Initiation) process for adults, plus an Adult Confirmation track.

• Altar Servers
• Ushers
• Lectors / Readers (with Holy Week Readers schedule)
• Cantors
• Eucharistic Ministers

Faith Formation & Sacraments

Distinct directors oversee the parish's sacramental and catechetical life — including Religious Education, youth Confirmation, Christian Initiation (RCIA), and Adult Confirmation — making the parish a place where families, inquirers, and returning Catholics can find a path into the sacramental life of the Church.

• Religious Education / Faith Formation (Coordinator: Mrs. Rebecca Hoover)
• Confirmation Preparation (Director: Mrs. Samantha Pope)
• Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (Director: Mrs. Kathi Saller)
• Adult Confirmation (Director: Mr. Daniel Spinazzola)

Music & Liturgy

The parish maintains a robust music ministry under a Director of Music and a Choir Director, supported by listed cantors and a Eucharistic Minister schedule. The restored Estey/Viscount Hybrid Pipe Organ anchors the church's musical tradition and has been featured in public concerts, including a recital by noted organist Carol Williams.

• Director of Music: Mr. Claude Fabinyi
• Choir Director: Mrs. Arlene Huth
• Cantors (published schedule)
• Estey/Viscount Hybrid Pipe Organ (restored by Viscount and Whitesell Pipe Organs)

Pipe Organ Campaign

The parish undertook a pipe organ restoration campaign in partnership with Viscount North America and Whitesell Pipe Organs. The project was showcased in a 2019 Viscount National Dealer Meeting held at the church, with a public concert featuring renowned organist Carol Williams on the rebuilt Estey/Viscount Hybrid Pipe Organ.

The Mount Carmel Festival & Italian-American Heritage

Each summer the parish hosts the annual Mount Carmel Festival — an Italian-American celebration opened by a Saturday Vigil Mass followed by a procession of the statue of Our Lady of Mount Carmel through the streets around the church. Parish societies, sodalities, and this year's First Communicants walk with banners, while the statue is then placed under a 'big top' tent where the festivities, food, games, and entertainment continue. A beloved devotional tradition sees the faithful pin paper money onto the ribbons cascading from the crown of Our Lady's statue.

• Opening Vigil Mass followed by procession around the block
• Four men bear the statue on a litter; sodalities carry banners
• Italian foods: pizza fritta, cannolis, sausage and peppers, pizza, pigs-in-the-blanket (a local favorite)
• Carnival fare, games, music, and entertainment under a 'big top' tent
• First Communicants process in their finery with a place of honor

Parish Cookbook

A parish Mt. Carmel Cookbook is sold through an order form available on the website — a popular fundraiser and a way for parishioners and friends to share the parish's Italian-American food traditions at home.

Visit, Directions, and Contact

The parish publishes turn-by-turn directions to both the 11th Street church and the Assumption Chapel from both downtown Altoona and Interstate 99. Visitors are warmly welcomed to daily or Sunday Mass at either worship site.

• Mt. Carmel: corner of 8th Avenue and 11th Street
• Assumption Chapel: Hileman Street and Adams Avenue
• Parish Office: 814-942-8501 | [email protected]
• Website: mountcarmelaltoona.com