SMETHPORT – Marconi Chapel on the grounds of the Elk Lick Scout
Reserve near Farmers Valley was dedicated Saturday morning.
The non-denominational chapel is named in honor of the Rev. Ted
Marconi, now the pastor of St. Leo Magnus Church in Ridgway.
Marconi began his service to the scout camp in 1975 and was the
head of the properties committee there for eight years when he was
pastor of St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church in Smethport from
1995-2003.
Several speakers offered remarks during the 11 a.m. ceremony in
front of the chapel.
Todd Peine, district executive for Allegheny Highlands Council
of the Boy Scouts, cited the need for a chapel, saying that in the
past, Vesper services for campers could have been held either in
Honeywell Hall, the dining hall, or outdoors.
“We needed a common place to worship. We needed a chapel that is
accessible 24-7.”
According to Peine, letters requesting monetary contributions
for the project were sent to 80 area churches throughout McKean and
Potter counties in Pennsylvania and Allegany and Cattaraugus
counties in New York state. Other donations also were
solicited.
The money was secured, and construction on the 12’x20′ chapel
began last month. It was finished on Friday.
Future plans call for installing electricity in the chapel,
adding permanent benches outside and completing landscaping.
During the ceremony, the speakers stood at an altar made by
Richard Mallison for the late Monsignor Thomas Geddes, pastor at
St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church in 1995; the parish has donated it
for the chapel.
Warren Semmel, co-chairman of the properties committee and
chairman of the chapel committee, also was enthusiastic in his
comments. “This is beautiful,” he said. “Our chapel is in the woods
just like our camp is in the woods. Permanent improvements are
happening here.”
Semmel recounted how Marconi and a close friend, Larry
Broughton, a hotel and restaurant executive, worked to revitalize
the properties committee and saw many projects through completion.
“They were saviors of the camp because at one time there was talk
of selling the camp.”
John Wojciechowicz, scout executive of the Allegheny Highlands
Council of the Boy Scouts, also offered brief comments.
In his prepared comments, Marconi said, “St. Paul wrote that
when one is honored, all are honored, and we are one body. In that
vein, I am honored by this recognition and by it, you are honored
as well as many other people by speaking their names.”
Marconi thanked past camp rangers, summer camp staff, properties
committee chairmen, and the people of St. Elizabeth of Hungary
Church.
Maria Mongillo was recognized for being the inspiration behind
the chapel project.
Marconi quoted Lord Baden-Powell in a 1937 interview with
“Listener” magazine. Though Baden-Powell is credited with founding
the Boy Scouts, he told in that interview how it “just growed.”
“As a matter of fact, I didn’t actually start the Boy Scout
Movement, because the blooming thing started itself unseen.”
“That is exactly how I feel about my involvement at Elk Lick,”
Marconi said. “The blooming thing started unseen in my life and
became just a part of me. And once Elk Lick gets in your blood, you
are a changed person. Changed for the better.”
The twelfth scout law is “A scout is reverent,” Marconi noted.
“I hope that this chapel stands as a physical reminder to all who
walk these trails … to keep before them gratitude in their hearts
to God for the blessings of life, and a reminder that all life is
precious and deserving of reverence.”
Following the ceremony, the audience was in invited to Orlos
Lodge for refreshments.
