Associated Press - June 28, 2009 7:14 PM ET

MELROSE PARK, Ill. (AP) - Parishioners at a suburban Chicago Catholic church have donated 15 pounds of gold, which leaders at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel had melted into two 14-karat gold crowns worth $75,000.

Many parishioners at the parish in Melrose Park gave wedding bands, gold watches, bracelets and religious medallions. The crowns were to be put on statues of the Virgin Mary and baby Jesus at the church on Sunday.

Last month, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel pastor the Rev. Claudio Holzer and 35 parishioners traveled to Italy, where they had an audience with Pope Benedict XVI and he blessed the crowns.

Church officials say Italian Catholics from around the United States also contributed gold pieces for the crowns.

Information from: Chicago Tribune, http://www.chicagotribune.com

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