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Mount Carmel’s beauty is attained by complete and thorough
unity of the architectural design with the decorative program. Credit
for the unified result can only be given to one man, the architect
Ross Montgomery. Careful examination of his blueprints show that
Montgomery designed not only the church itself, but also its raredo,
lamps, tabernacle, candlesticks, holy water basins, the wooden pews where
parishioners still sit – virtually every detail right up to the iron cross
topping the
espadaña
, or wall belfry.
By the early 1960s, it was obvious that an addition to Our Lady of
Mount Carmel was necessary to accommodate the growing parish.
Because Montgomery had retired in 1961, the commission went to
Alexander B. Harmer, who added the space to the west of the original
sanctuary, changing the church from its original basilica plan to an
L-shape. Harmer did a credible job in maintaining the distinctive Pueblo
Revival style, successfully marrying the addition to the original building
without too much disharmony.
Many people have said Mount Carmel is copied from San Francisco de
Asís in Ranchos de Taos, or other specific New Mexican churches. Such
is not the case, and in fact is a gross error to anyone who has seriously
studied Southwestern ecclesiastical architecture. However, because of Ross
Montgomery’s familiarity with borderland history and architectural styles,
he was no doubt familiar with many churches that certainly had an influence
on his design, with various elements likely inspired by specific sources.
The Cudahy sisters expressed concern to the Bishop about Ross
Montgomery’s plans resulting in runaway costs, a common complaint
that was already recognized by the Archdiocese. In a 1935 letter to Mrs.
Nelson, Bishop Cantwell acknowledged about Montgomery: “He has a
failing that you already realize – namely, extravagance in the realization of
his ideals. It is very hard to keep him within reasonable bounds.”
But it may have been the preceding sentence in the same letter that
helped sway the Cudahy sisters to keep Montgomery on the job:
“He distinguishes every task at which he is connected.”
Nearly 75 years later, Our Lady of Mount Carmel, the church upon
which Ross Montgomery lavished so much detailed attention, still stands
straight and tall, distinguished by the good bones, sun-kissed skin, and
jewel-like ornamentation bestowed by her creator.
landmarks
Father Ozias B. Cook,
who served as Pastor
of Our Lady of Mount
Carmel from 1952-
1978, was promoted
to Monsignor during
his tenure in Montecito.
(Photo courtesy of
Montecito History
Committee)
Laura (left) and Ida Borgatello, who were born and raised
in Montecito, have been lifelong parishioners at Our
Lady of Mount Carmel. They are legendary for their many
decades of faithfully providing flower arrangements for the
altar, often made from blooms grown in their own garden.
(Photo by Stephen Kinnard)
The 1908 Montecito Baseball Team gathered for a group photo. The sport was
considered a good way to keep the local youngsters “organized and out of
mischief.” They often played on the baseball diamond behind Our Lady of Mount
Carmel, a practice that was dissolved circa 1925 due to “insurance problems.”
(Photo courtesy of Montecito History Committee)