Hometown pride helps church repair windows

OQUOSSOC — In less than two months, donations from parishioners and nonparishioners raised over $14,000 to repair the historic, stained-glass windows at Our Lady of the Lakes Church.

“Outdoorsmen and women, friends with ancestral connections to the area, and Catholics from other churches were all willing to make generous donations to help our small, rural Catholic parish,” parishioner Kevin Sinnett said.

The church was built in 1908, primarily through the efforts of Cornelia “Fly Rod” Crosby, a legendary Maine outdoorswoman who was the state’s first licensed guide. A convert to Catholicism after convalescing in a Catholic hospital, she was authorized by letter from Bishop William H. O’Connell to accept donations “with a view to a chapel in the Rangeley Region.” It was the funds from residents and tourists, and land donated by the railroad company that enabled Crosby to raise $5,000 and to see to the construction of the church.

“Chapel was in good condition ready for the Blessing and splendidly equipped. A great part of the money was collected by Miss Cornelia Crosby (Fly Rod) and many beautiful ornaments given by friends all over the country,” Bishop Louis S. Walsh wrote in his diary during his visit to bless the church in 1911.

Crosby died in 1946 at age 92. A chalice engraved with “CTC” for Cornelia Thurza Crosby is still used in the church.

The stained-glass window behind the altar is dedicated to Miss Susan Laroche Johnson, who died at the age of 19 in 1910. Over the years, the window glazing had deteriorated, and small cracks developed in some panels.

“The cost to repair the window was $12,000,” Sinnett said. “Parishioners Dave and Carol Batchelder, along with Carl Dodge, graciously coordinated the effort and quickly raised the $12,000. As of now, the fundraising has reached over $14,000, which will allow the parish to also repair two smaller stained-glass windows in the church.”