St. Laurentius in Philadelphia

Saint Laurentius Parish (polish:"Parafia Świętego Wawrzyńca") is the oldest Polish Roman Catholic Churchwithin both the City and Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Established in 1882, it served as the only Polish parish in the area until the establishment of Saint Stanislaus Church, in South Philly.

History of Saint Laurentius

With Gothic spires reaching up to heaven and stained glass windows that catch the sun like a beacon of light, the magnificent edifice of St. Laurentius Church evokes reverence n all who look upon it. But the oldest Polish Roman Catholic Church in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia was not always such as powerful symbol of Christ. Its origins herald back to a time when immigrants—with little money, and nothing more than a strong belief in God—sought a humble house of worship.

In the late 19th century, Polish people in the area desired a parish to educate their children according to the traditions of their homeland and the doctrines of the Roman Catholic Church. Early religious services were held in the basement of St. Boniface Church on Diamond and Hancock Streets, and later, at Norris and Sepviva Streets. Neighborhood children received catechism lessons at a nearby blacksmith shop.

With fewer than fifty devoted family followers and only $31.50 in the treasury, the Polish people petitioned the Most Reverend James F. Wood,the Archbishop of Philadelphia, asking for a church. Their prayers were answered in 1882, when a house of worship was established. St. Laurentius Church was named (in Latin) after St. Lawrence, a deacon who was martyred under the reign of Roman Emperor Valerian.

Church services began in a modest basement facility, purchased for $14,000, at Berks and Memphis Streets. Children began attending school there in 1890, under the instruction of the Felician Sisters, a Polish order of nuns.

The first Polish-speaking priest at St. Laurentius Church, Father Adalbert Malusecki, led efforts to build the church’s upper chapel. The architect Durand constructed a Gothic-style décor for the sanctuary, which is 114 feet long, 60 feet wide, with three naves. Master craftsmen from Mannheim, Germany were called upon to build an ornate wooden altar, pulpit, statues and elaborate cut-glass windows. Later, in 1912, under the stewardship of Father Gabriel Kraus, the sanctuary was embellished with oil paintings portraying the life of Christ and his Saints—one of which was painted by a Polish artist in the 13th century, depicting Saint Mary blessing King Henry the Pious.

After the upper church was built, two small homes adjoining the church were purchased for $8,100; they were demolished and a rectory was built. Later, in 1897, under Father Gabriel Kraus, two more properties were purchased for extra classroom space and the construction of a Sisters’ Convent.

Through the years, St. Laurentius School blossomed into a bustling academic institution. In 1899, the school was officially dedicated in a celebration attended by members of Polish lodges from around the Delaware Valley, Bishop Edmond. F Prendergast blessed the building, which was adorned with American and Polish flags.

During Father Karus’ 25 years of service, many more improvements were made to the church. In 1919, an elaborate pipe organ was installed at a cost of $20,000. Later, in 1923, when school attendance was steadily increasing, a new school building was erected for $150,000. The three-story schoolhouse has enough space for 14 classrooms, and more than 350 students. During this time, the school was officially listed on the register of Philadelphia parochial schools. During the dedication ceremony for the new school building, Archbishop Dennis Cardinal Dougherty blessed the building and Reverend Joseph M. O’Hara, superintendent of parish schools, delivered an address.

As St. Laurentius School’s attendance increased in the mid-1920’s, Father Julian G. Zagorski, then assistant at the church, founded the Catholic Young Men’s Club. With a focus on athletics the club promoted good sportsmanship and fostered Catholic fellowship among neighborhood boys.

May 30, 1932 marked the 50th anniversary of St. Laurentius Church. A Golden Jubilee celebration was held to commemorate the event. An early morning paraded kicked off the event, with a march through Fishtown. Parishioners, students and musicians traveled down Cedar and Cumberland Streets, then over to Aramingo and Girard Avenues. At Berks Street, marchers stopped to greet Cardinal Dougherty. They escorted him to church, where Bishop Gerald P. O’Hara, Auxiliary Bishop of Philadelphia, presided over the Solemn Pontifical Mass of Thanksgiving. Scores of devoted parishioners attended.

The years that followed the Golden Jubilee were trying times for the church and the country. The Great Depression brought on financial woes that touched the lives of many. After Father Kraus’ lengthy stewardship ended in November 1932, Father Michael Wyborski came on board to lead a valiant fund-raising effort. The church’s financial debt was alleviated, in part, through the charity efforts of the Holy Name Society, which was founded in 1934. The Society was established to foster spirituality, prayer and frequent reception of Communion among parishioners who ached for a light of hope during the troubled times.

Nevertheless, as years progressed, enrollment at St. Laurentius School continued to flourish. By 1938, during the 50th anniversary of the school, nearly 800 children were enrolled. A Golden Jubilee celebration was held on October 23, 1938. Generations of alumni gathered to honor the Felician Sisters and other faculty members for their service.

The stewardship of Father Stanislaus J, Garstka in the 1950’s and 1960’s marked a new era of change. Improvements were made to the church that included new heating in the school and rectory. A new convent was erected for the Felician Sisters at 1648 Berks Street—the structure that was the crowning achievement of the 75th anniversary celebration of the church in 1957.

During the Diamond Jubilee celebration, parishioners gave thanks to the Holy Father for the many blessing bestowed upon the parish. A Solemn Pontifical Mass of Thanksgiving was led by Bishop Carroll McCormick, DD, Auxiliary Bishop of Philadelphia.

Under Father Garstka’s leadership, parish activities flourished. A Boy Scouts of America troop was founded in 1956. Later, the Catholic Ladies Guild was formed to help raise funds through events, like the celebrated annual Christmas Bazaar. To keep the community informed of all the goings-on at St. Laurentius Church, a newspapers called The Parish Calendar hit the presses in 1957.

In 1964, Father Stanislaus A. Polityka made more improvements to the church. As a new pastor, he quickly focused on renovating the rectory, refurbishing the church altar and filling the sanctuary with beautiful oil paintings by a well-known local artist. After Father Polityka’s retirement in 1974, Father Anthony F. Ziemba—or “Father Tony”, as he was lovingly called—became the new parish priest.

Father Tony drew many parishioners to the church with his gentle, cheerful nature. He was young and energetic. Through his counsel, families were brought together; marriages made stronger. The late 1970’s were a time of celebration for parishioners, Polish people and Catholics were everywhere due to the election of a new Pope—Karol Cardinal Wojtyla, Archbishop of Krakow, Poland, who succeeded Pope John Paul I.

Cardinal Wojtyla became Pope John Paul II in 1978. Many parishioners of the church had the opportunity to meet His Holiness in Philadelphia on October 4, 1979. Words cannot describe the feelings of the faithful on this wondrous occasion. A mass was celebrated in Logan Circle, with almost a million people present.

The next landmark event celebrated by parishioners at St. Laurentius Church was the 100th year Jubilee in 1982. To mark the occasion, Father Ziemba invited John Cardinal Krol to preside as celebrant during the Centennial Mass. Cardinal Krol, an archbishop of Polish origin, honored the congregation by attending. Renovations were made to the church, school and surrounding areas so that the anniversary would be memorable.

Over the next decade, St. Laurentius Church continued to thrive. Attendance in the school was high, parishioners dutifully attended Mass. But then, in the mdd-1990’s the Archdiocese of Philadelphia began to lose parishioners as fewer Catholics attended Mass on a regular basis. Father Frank Gwiazda, whose stewardship began n 1986 and continues today, was faced with the arduous task of raising declining enrollment at St. Laurentius School. His faith in God, perseverance and support from loyal parishioners helped him keep the school doors open and maintain the tradition of Catholic education and shared fellowship—a dream first sought by Polish immigrants heeding the call of God more than a century ago.

External links

* [http://www.polamcatholic.com/ Polish American Catholic Heritage Committee]
* [http://www.archdiocese-phl.org/ Archdiocese of Philadelphia ]