We don’t build many new churches these days. So, when Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio came to Our Lady of the Snows parish, North Floral Park, to dedicate its new church building, it certainly was reason to rejoice.

Aug. 5 was the parish feast day and the perfect time for the bishop’s visit. An overflow crowd was standing three deep around the perimeter of the church and spilled out into the new church’s gathering area. Normally, seating capacity would be about 650 people, but on this evening, 1,200 people showed up.

Founded in 1948, the parish worshiped in a small chapel for its first five years. As the parish grew, Mass was moved into what was built to be a gymnasium/auditorium. That parish center was to be the church for the next 55 years.

Beautiful Stained-Glass Windows

The new church, which was begun in April of last year, is circular with a high cathedral-like wooden ceiling. One of the outstanding features is the stained-glass windows, which used to be part of the old Our Lady of the Skies Chapel at Kennedy Airport.

“Father Jim Devine told me about the windows being in storage,” explained Msgr. Raymond Chappetto, pastor of Our Lady of the Snows. “I went to the diocesan storage building in Brooklyn to look at them and I saw how beautiful they were. I knew we had to have them.”

Msgr. Chappetto pointed out that the crucifix, which hangs above the main altar, was taken from the old church. “The people loved that crucifix and they wanted to keep it for the sake of continuity,” he said.

Also restored was a statue of Our Lady, which adorns the lawn on the corner behind the church.

During the ceremony, the bishop was presented with a set of keys to the front door and with a temporary certificate of occupancy by Regina Moreno, a pastoral associate, and John Lukasavage, the parish plant manager.

“We hope the temporary becomes permanent very soon,” smiled the bishop.

Prior to the Liturgy of the Word, he blessed the Lectionary from which the Mass readings will be proclaimed. He also anointed the main altar with holy oil. Msgr. Chappetto and newly ordained Father Patrick Longaglong assisted with the anointing of the walls.

As part of the liturgy, the choir led the singing of Our Lady of the Snows, a hymn written specifically for the parish three years ago by composer Robert Wiegel.

“It tells the story of Our Lady of the Snows. We use it for all Marian feasts,” said Msgr. Chappetto.

Also assisting at the ceremony were Deacons Henry J. Smith, Matthew J. Oellinger, and Steven Borheck.

Like any building project, this one costs money – approximately $7 million. A fund-raising campaign realized $6 million. One million dollars was borrowed from the diocese to complete payments and will have to be paid back.

Msgr. Chappetto singled out Ed Laskowski, Mike McGovern and Joe Wood for their assistance in conducting the fund-raising drives.

In his congratulatory remarks, Bishop DiMarzio thanked State Sen. Frank Padavan, who was seated in the front row, for helping the parish negotiate the confusing bureaucracy of red tape that any building project demands.

Parish’s New Gym

The old church now will be refurbished and used as an auditorium and a gymnasium (See story on Page 18). All the remaining religious fixtures have been placed in other churches and chapels.

On Sunday, Sept. 14, the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross, Our Lady of the Snows Church will host a Vespers service to which all the priests of the diocese will be invited.

And on Sunday, Sept. 28, the day before the actual 60th anniversary of the parish, parishioners will gather for a celebration of the jubilee.

“Words can’t describe the great feeling of joy in the parish,” commented Msgr. Chappetto. “I’m so proud of the people here for what they did for God and for the Blessed Mother. Ultimately, it’s all for the glory of God.”

Just for the record, the last church built in the diocese was St. Thomas More on the Jamaica campus of St. John’s University. The last parish church constructed was St. Paul’s in Corona.

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