Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, Berlin 1903
-from Building God's Kingdom: A History of the Diocese of Camden, 1987
As early as 1880, a priest from the city of Camden, Father Michael Dilelsi, was assigned by Trenton Bishop McFaul to celebrate Mass each Sunday in what was then known as West Berlin. Mass was celebrated either in private homes or in the stable at the Old Tavern. At this time most of the Catholics in the area were farmers of Italian heritage.
Father DiIelsi was responsible for the building of a chapel which became the first Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church located on Bethel Avenue in West Berlin. A home on Bishop Avenue was the first rectory. The rectory was later moved to North Avenue. During this period Our Lady of Mt. Carmel was a mission attached to St. Lawrence, Laurel Springs. When it had grown to 200 families in 1903, it became an established parish. Father Peter Paris was the first pastor.
The parish was responsible during the years for Catholics in Blue Anchor, Waterford, Atco and Gibbsboro.
A new church was dedicated by Bishop McMahon of Trenton on October 4, 1931. The church, located at Cedar Avenue and White Horse Pike, has since been air conditioned, reconcilation rooms built, and the basement has been totally re- finished and a separate heating system installed.
The school was built and dedicated in 1956, and in 1964 eight additional classrooms and Memorial Hall were added. The staff of the school at the beginning was the Sisters of Mercy of Trim, Ireland, who are joined presently by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Chestnut Hill, Pennsylvania.
In March 1977 a team ministry of co-pastors was assigned to the parish consisting of Father John R Bourke, Father Stephen Carey and Father John E. Smith.
The present pastor is Father John E Bourke.
