Hi Everyone,
I just wanted to let you know that I've been busy interviewing elderly members of St. Mary's. Had a little bit of camera trouble yesterday but luckily I had my little digital camera with me, which does take some video. I hope some of it turned out as I haven't had the chance to look at it yet. The actual video, I think, will take quite a bit of editing, but I wanted to tell you a few interesting things I learned yesterday:
I just wanted to let you know that I've been busy interviewing elderly members of St. Mary's. Had a little bit of camera trouble yesterday but luckily I had my little digital camera with me, which does take some video. I hope some of it turned out as I haven't had the chance to look at it yet. The actual video, I think, will take quite a bit of editing, but I wanted to tell you a few interesting things I learned yesterday:
- The materials used to build St. Mary's were obtained by horse and carriage trip to Atlantic City, a trip of 44 miles (one-way).
- Though generally speaking the community in Malaga was convinced of the need for their own church, it was tough convincing everybody because of the expenses they knew they'd incur. Money was tough to come by for this small, agricultural community. Initiators of the project went from house to house, farm to farm, to collect money.
- The simple yet beautiful marble altar cost something like $5,000 at the time. (I must consult my notes to see if I can confirm the figure.) What a sacrifice and a lot of work it must have been to raise the funds for an altar worthy of our Eucharistic Lord.
- Back before St. Mary's was even built, they had many events such as the Feast of the Assumption. The church was named St. Mary's because of the community's devotion to and the constant intercession of Our Lady.
- "Card parties" were held at the church property to raise funds and get together. I was unfamiliar with that term, but apparently people got together to play pinochle.
- In order to continue to work on the church, they held events like dinners and beef and beers in the church basement, which was completely unfinished, dirt floor and all, at the time.
- Families donated statues and built grottos themselves. Whenever the church needed something, the parishioners bought it or did it themselves. Caretaking of all kinds was done by the parishioners.