History of St. Stanislaus Kostka Church Centennial Anniversary 1880-1980 St

Home , John Carberry, Joseph Ritter, Saint Casimir, Stanislaus Kostka

History of St. Stanislaus Kostka Church Centennial Anniversary 1880-1980 St. Stanislaus Kostka Church, Saint Louis, MO, p. 7-28. CAP at Orchard Lake.

Saint Stanislaus Kostka Parish has much to be proud of in the hundredth year of her existence. The deep devotion to God and His church, patriotism for country and motherland, seriousness of purpose, self-reliance and industriousness of her people have made the parish a shining example for all the Archdiocese of Saint Louis and the community at large. In 1822, the then small community of Saint Louis was incorporated as a city. Several years later in 1826 the Diocese of Saint Louis was formed; the great cathedral, the first of her many impressive symbols of faith and devotion was dedicated in 1834. In the years which followed both the city and the Catholic community prospered. In 1847 Saint Louis, in recognition of her size and importance, was accorded the status of Archdiocese. She had become one of the most important centers of Catholicism in the still young nation. It is during this period that thousands, both native and foreign born, moved westward in search of new opportunities in the rapidly developing western regions of the country. Saint Louis was at this time the jumping off point for those seeking their fortunes farther west, but she also became the home of thousands to whom she offered the promise of success and assimilation into the life of the country. Among the large groups which settled in Saint Louis during this period were the Germans and the Irish, who established ethnic communities besides those of the French and native born Americans who had preceded them. By 1844 the building of such churches as St. Patrick and Saint Joseph's gave witness to the successful growth and assimilation of these groups within the city and the Archdiocese. Still other ethnic groups were to follow both the Irish and Germans to the city in the following decades. Joseph Rychlicki, an exile from the Polish revolution of 1831 had arrived in Saint Louis by 1834. He lived for over fifty-four years in the city pursuing a career as a civil engineer. In the years that followed, small numbers of Poles came to the city. By 1861, according to some estimates there were eighty families of Polish origin in Saint Louis. About two hundred Poles enlisted in the Federal Army during the Civil War; among the first to give his life in the cause of the Union was Captain Joseph Morawski who was killed in the Battle of Fort Jackson. For many Poles this devotion to their adopted country was coupled with an equal devotion to their homeland. In 1863 a National Committee for the struggle to liberate the Polish homeland was organized. With the collapse of the Polish revolution it appears that many in the Saint Louis community decided to pursue agriculture elsewhere in the state.

1 At the time there existed no clearly defined Polish community within the city itself. During the years 1863-64 Father Leopold Moczygeba, a missionary from Texas, served the spiritual needs of the community, having gained permission for this purpose of using the church of Saint Bonaventura. By 1870 there appears to have been only three hundred Poles in the city. These Poles were depending on local German and Irish churches for their spiritual needs. Because of language difficulties they were deprived of real spiritual guidance, had difficulty in communicating, and were often at a dis- advantage in seeking and obtaining employment. By the end of the next decade, however, all this was to change for the better with the formation of the parish of Saint Stanislaus Kostka. Undoubtedly some of the Poles who left Saint Louis in the 1860's settled in Franklin County, Missouri. As early as 1866 small numbers of Poles had begun to arrive in the town of Washington and nearby areas. In Washington there was a Franciscan Monastery that included some Polish Fathers, among them Father Sebastian Cebula, who would later become a pastor of Saint Stanislaus Kostka Church. In this same community, Polish culture was kept very much alive starting with the publication of the Polish Eagle in February of 1870. In the nearby settlement of Cracow the Poles had their own church guided by Father Matuzek, a Jesuit of Silesian extraction. In Clover Bottom a Polish school was established by 1875. In 1878 Father Matuzek visited Saint Louis. Aware of the poor conditions for Poles which existed in the city, he returned several times to bestow the Holy Sacraments and enrich the needy spiritually. At the end of 1878 Father Anthony Klawiter from New Posen, Nebraska, arrived in the city and found quarters in the German church of Saint Joseph's. When he learned of the plight of the Polish Catholics in the community, he undertook a Holy Mission which lasted three days. Deeply moved by the devotion and enthusiasm of his faithful, Father Klawiter suggested that they organize their own parish and build their own church. A committee of several persons was formed, led by Father Klawiter himself. After three weeks of extensive solicitations throughout the city, thirty seven members for the parish were signed up with assets of thirty three dollars. A short while later permission was received from the Archdiocese to establish a Polish parish. Initially masses for the new parish were held in the basement of Saint Joseph's. But after only two weeks the facilities were denied to the Poles because of the alleged interference of their singing with church services on the main floor. Fortunately the Irish church of Saint Lawrence O'Toole quickly granted permission for the use of its facilities. But it was obvious to one and all that the migratory nature of the congregation could not continue forever. Renewed efforts had to be made to raise the funds necessary for the construction of a Polish church. To this end a request was made to Vicar General Muehlspiepen for permission to collect funds for the church throughout the city. This permission was granted by the Most Reverend Vicar General, who was to remain in the coming decades a close friend and benefactor of the Polish community. After only a few weeks services were transferred to St. Lawrence O'Toole school. Aside from the inconvenience of storing the arti- cles for the mass following each service, the facility proved too small for the needs of Sunday Mass and Holy Days of Obligation. This problem was solved by relocating the congregation in the basement of the Saint Patrick's school. Permission was obtained not only for the saying of masses but also for Polish language classes. During this period a number of new families arrived in Saint Louis from Caracus, some forty families in all. Most of these newcomers as well as countless others down to the end of the century

2 found their home in the Ashley Building, a large tenement housing over six hundred individuals at any given time. Despite their poor circumstances, feelings of pride and national identity ran high in the community. Poles were noted for walking in processional from the Ashley Building to Saint Patrick's dressed in colorful native costumes. In 1879 Father Klawiter was transferred. He was replaced by the Franciscan Father Sebastian Cebula, under whose guidance the first church of Saint Stanislaus Kostka was built. Initially, however, the congregation had to make do with its facilities at Saint Patrick's. A new altar was built with monies raised at a picnic in Union Park in June of that year. Vicar General Muehlsiepen sanctified the altar and encouraged the community to continue its efforts, to which he pledged his whole hearted support. A memorable day in the early history of the parish occurred on May 23, 1880. It was on this day that a young priest, Father Urban Stanowski, celebrated his first holy mass assisted by the Vicar General Muelhsiepen, Father Hessoun, the distinguished pastor of Saint John's Nepomuk, and other priests. In his Homily Father Hessoun expressed his great satisfaction that Poles, though numerically small, were making such a great effot to have their own priest and establish their own parish. Thus even in its earliest days the parish of Saint Stanislaus Kostka received praise for its efforts from distinguished clergy of other ethnic groups in the city while at the same time profiting from their encouragement and support. Father Cebula moved as quickly as possible towards construction of a church. Fund raising continued, a building committee was formed, and a Society for Mutual Assistance named for Saint Stanislaus Kostka was established. Lots for the new church were purchased at 20th and Cass costing $4,864. Construction began on July 16. At the blessing of the corner stone Czech, Irish, and German societies were in attendance, thereby signifying their support for the new church. Three days after laying the cornerstone the church fund reached over $10,000. The construction proceeded swiftly and on November 12, 1881, the new church was dedicated. In only three years starting in the basement of Saint Joseph's with material assets of only thirty-three dollars, Poles had succeeded in building a handsome new church and school. The period of wandering was over. A new era in the life of the Polish community of Saint Louis had dawned. Hardly had the new church been erected when Father Cebula was unexpectedly transferred to another parish. His place was taken by Father Leon Brandys whose zeal in continuing the work of Father Cebula was much appreciated by his parishioners. He decorated and beautified the church, established a parish library, and invited Bishop Ryan to administer Confirmation on July 6, 1884. For many parishioners at the time, this event marked the true fulfillment of their dreams and the point at which the difficulties and suffering of the past could truly be forgotten. Father Brandys was transferred from the parish in 1885. At his death, two years later, in Radom, Illinois, large numbers of his former flock went to pay their last respects, a true testament to the work of their beloved pastor. On May 29, 1885 a nominating decree was issued by the Prior of the Franciscan Brothers in Saint Louis appointing Father Urban Stanowski pastor of Saint Stanislaus. The new pastor served the parish on Sundays, Holy Days, and one additional day of the week. The remainder of his time was spent at the Franciscan Monastery on Meramec Street some distance away. This arrangement was not particularly to the liking of the Saint Stanislaus parishioners who, having worked so hard to build their church, now wished to have a full-time pastor. Unfortunately, there was not then a Po- lish priest under the jurisdiction of the Saint Louis Archdiocese. However, after repeated requests, 3 Archbishop Kendrick petitioned Rome to release Father Stanowski from his vows. With the granting of this request Father Stanowski began the over four decades of service to the parish which were to prove among the greatest years of its growth and prosperity. Father Stanowski moved quickly to reduce the financial obligations of the parish. Having accomplished this by 1887, he purchased an adjacent lot to the church on which was constructed a rectory, completed in 1888. The spiritual growth or the parish was equally impressive. During September of 1888 over 1,200 faithful received Holy Communion during a Holy Mission held by Reverend Se- bastian of the Society of Jesus. By 1892 over 2,000 received Holy Communion during a Forty Hour Devotion at Lent. In the same year Archbishop Kendrick confirmed some 320 parishioners. With the growth of the parish, the church and school facilities became inadequate. Additional lots were purchased at 20th and 21st Streets. Part of this was designated for a new church, while the rest was resold to parishioners for their own houses. Thus a Polish ethnic community came into being along these two streets adjacent to and around the church. Over the years it formed the nucleus for an expanded neighborhood as the former Irish residents in the area moved out to be replaced by ever increasing numbers of Poles. By 1891 the Franciscans had relinquished rights to the parish and Father Stanowski became a secular priest under the jurisdiction of the Archdiocese. It is only against the backdrop of events in Polish communities in other cities at the time that subsequent actions taken by Father Stanowski and the Archdiocese can be fully appreciated. Fierce disputes over whether being Polish meant first of all being Catholic, or identifying with one’s ethnic heritage and land of origin, had led to an open split in many congregations with open hostility to (and even separation from) the Roman Catholic hierarchy. At the center of the controversy was the ownership of church properties. On May 2,1891, with the advice and consent of the Archbishop, the parish was incorporated in the State of Missouri as the "Polish Roman Catholic Saint Stanislaus Kostka Parish." While the incorporation placed the ownership of the parish in the hands of its secular directors, the use of the name "Roman Catholic" underscored the continued relationship of the parish with the Archdiocese, a connection not sought under similar conditions in other cities. The fact that Father Stanowski- re mained under the jurisdiction of the Archbishop while serving as the first president and treasurer of the corporation was most significant. This kind of arrangement would have been considered anathema to nationalists elsewhere who wishes to take financial control of parishes away from both bishops and priests. Such was the compromise of 1891, which by-and-large has served the parish well down to the present day. Throughout the subsequent decades it was the unique personality of Father Stanowski which held the key to the delicate balance of interests achieved at the time of incorporation. The swift movements of events after May 2,1891, indicates his ability to cultivate the nationalistic and ethnic identity of his parishioners while at the same time fostering good relations with the church hierarchy. Over the years Saint Stanislaus was to continue to receive both the praise and the support of prominent figures in the church hierarchy within the ciy. On May 6, 1891, the first meeting of the trustees was held, perhaps only coincidentally three days after the celebration of the one hundredth anniversary of the Polish National Constitution. Father Stanowski had himself been responsible for organizing a celebration of the event at the church. At the same gathering a protest was heard against the imprisonment by the German government of 4 a Polish editor who had defended the Catholic faith and rights of the Polish people. Construction was begun on the new church in July of 1891. By September of the following year, when it was completed, $60,000 of its total cost of $92,000 had already been raised. This testimony to the unity and devotion of the parish was noted in the local press as well as at the dedication of the church itself. The dedication ceremony was a significant event in the Archdiocese. Clergy from many parishes throughout the city attended. It was also an occasion for demonstrating that it was possible to be a Polish Roman Catholic rather than having to choose between being either a Pole or a Roman Catholic. United States, Papal and Polish flags flew in abundance. Contemporary reports of the event drew attention to the incription on the cornerstone which named Pope Leo XIII, Archbishop Kenrick, and Father Stanowski. Vicar General Muehlsiepen blessed the church inside and out. Afterwards he delivered a sermon in which he praised the parish exclaiming among other things: "Saint Stanislaus Kostka parish is one of the luckier ones. In a short time, you Poles have built the most beautiful church in Saint Louis. This is proof of your devotion to the church. The results of your work brings joy to other ethnic groups. You are an example for others to follow, a proof that much can be accomplished in a short time when properly motivated. You have earned God's greater praise than what I can express." Father Hessoun, who some twelve years before had encouraged the then small community of Poles in the basement of Saint Patrick's school, celebrated the first mass in the new church. Fa- ther Victor Barzynski delivered the homily in Polish. Father Barzynski's presence was of particular significance. He had first come to public attention in 1874 when he assumed control of the Polish mother church of Saint Stanislaus Kostka in Chicago. From that time until his death a quarter century later, he more than any other man in America personified Polish Roman Catholicism. During 1891-1892 Father Barzynski was an advocate of clerical leadership in promoting ethnic awareness and nationalistic patriotism, a policy already pursued by Father Stanowski in Saint Louis. Polish, German and English newspaper accounts of the day expressed the tremendous excitement and admiration of the entire city over the appearance of the new church. Designed by the firm of Wessbecher and Hummel with the guidance of Father Stanowski, its monumental towers on the front elevation and an imposing cylindrical apse created a profile recalling Polish churches dating to the period when Christianity was introduced into the first independent Polish state. Its majestic dome, brilliantly sheathed in copper, soared heavenward, a symbol proudly proclaiming the devotion and faith of the Polish community. This impressive exterior, coupled with a spacious, beautifully lit and sumptuously ornamented interior, a Greek cross plan, made Saint Stanislaus among the outstanding churches of the entire Archdiocese. In the summer of 1893, Father Stanowski returned to Poland for the avowed purpose of praying at the most hallowed shrine of Poland, the Mother of God Church of Jasna Gora in Częstochowa. Although thwarted from fulfilling his vow because he was blacklisted by the Russian occupying authorities, he was able to obtain a late eighteenth century replica of the famous icon of the Black Madonna of Częstochowa and its marble altar from the Paulist monastery of Cracow. At the time this image was claimed to be one of only two copies that had been made and, as such, it accrued the potent symbolism of Polish nationalism and religious freedom belonging the original. Upon his return Father Stanowski proudly observed that now the third shrine of our Lady of Częstochowa 5 would be located in Saint Louis in the side altar of the new church of Saint Stanislaus Kostka. The spirit of Polish nationalism remained high in the parish during the following years. For example, in 1895 the church was draped in mourning and resolutions were made to abstain from entertainment in commoration of the failure of the Polish Revolution of 1795. But along with this responsiveness to the Polish national cause and the encouragement of ethnic pride among his parishioners, Father Stanowski also sought to facilitate their assimilation into American society by further developing the resources of the parish. In 1896 he opened an English language evening class. More importantly he moved to set the affairs of the parish school in order. The nuns who were teaching there had no permanent place of resident. In 1901, with the help of Father Stanowski they established their own Order, The Franciscan Sisters of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, with their mother house located in the parish. Starting with only three Polish Sisters dedicated to the teaching of Polish children, the Order has grown over the years, extending its good works around the world. Following the ceremony of final vows for the new order attended by many clergy from the Archdiocese, Father Stanowski purchased a spacious new building to provide for the needs of the Provisional First Polish Convent. The spiritual life of the parish flourished as well. On June 15, 1902, Father Simon Zielinski was or- dained and celebrated his First Holy Mass. On this occasion he also received appointment as the parish's assistant pastor. Later that year in October a Forty Hour Devotion was held in the church. The young Father was greatly moved on this occasion by faith and joy of his parishioners. He later recalled that over 1,800 had gone to confession from five until late at night. But more impressive still was the reaction of German clergy in attendance. They were greatly excited by the singing which they witnessed. Later they wondered why, in their own parishes, except for the choirs, no one sang during Mass. Father Stanowski apparently provided the answer. While even a young sparrow learns to sing from an old one, at Saint Stanislaus old sparrows learned from the young. In elementary school children received uniform songbooks, memorized their lessons well, and then were turned loose among their reluctant elders in church. Since 1901 Father Stanowski had provided Polish Hym- nals for his parishioners which contained religious hymns which had been carried in their memory from the mother land. Thus traditional expressions of devotion were kept alive and passed on to a younger generation, while at the same time providing joy and comfort to their elders in the present. After a period of particularly bitter internal quarreling the parish belatedly celebrated its Silver Ju- bilee in 1910. By this time Saint Stanislaus was one of five Polish parishes in the metropolitan area, but still the most important. Father Stanowski, who also celebrated his Jubilee at the same time, remained very much the leader of a reunited congregation. As an expression of their gratitude his parishioners raised $3,000 which they offered the Jubilarían for his private use. Instead he used it to retire the parish debt. In 1913 the first of what were to be a number of calamities struck the parish. The great dome, so long a symbol for the entire community, began to leak causing serious structural damage to the church interior. Since nothing could be done to rectify the leaking, it was reluctantly decided to remove the dome. To this day the loss of this glorious crown is still felt by many, as is the absence of the wonderful shower of light with which it flooded the interior of the church. In 1921 Father Stanowski became seriously ill. As his health deteriorated so did his parishioners' spiritual devotion. In 1923 Archbishop Glennon came to administer Confirmation to some 335 -per sons. He admonished the congregation to unite, calling for renewed harmony and faith. Aware of

6 adverse parish conditions and the doubtful recovery of Father Stanowski, the Archbishop appointed Father Victor Gorzel as assistant to the parish in January of 1924. Father Gorzel assumed his responsibilities under very difficult circumstances. But through his dedication and hard work the young priest began to earn the respect and devotion of his congregation. Many who had drifted away to other parishes returned, despite the uncertain situation of the parish throughout all of 1925. In 1926 Father Theodor Kubin, the distinguished Bishop of the Częstochowa Diocese, while at- tending the Eucharistic Congress in Chicago made a visit to Saint Stanislaus. He celebrated Mass and delivered a moving sermon in which he praised the congregation for having accomplished so much in such a short time. In November of the same year, because Father Stanowski's condition had deteriorated even further, Father Gorzel was made administrator of the parish by Archbishop Glennon. With the sudden death of Father Stanowski on January 23, 1927, not only the parish of Saint Stanislaus, but the Archdiocese as well, lost an outstanding leader. Several years later the Golden Jubilee Book of Stanislaus Kostka remembered him as "one of the oldest activists in the province of national civic affairs, an organizer of great talents, a model manager, who was able from meager means to organize a powerful Polish settlement in Saint Louis and build a beautiful, magnificent church and construct other build-ings, all momuments of his accomplishment." Whatever differ- ences some in the Polish community may have had with him over the years, all acknowledged that his motives were beyond reproach. He had always worked for the good of his parishioners. His funeral services were led by Archbishop Glennon himself. Over the next two years Father Gorzel worked hard to restore a parish which seemed to be slipping into decline. By 1928 his efforts were bearing fruit. Religious devotion was at a new high and the parish was welcoming many new members. The church itself was repainted and restored. Once again Saint Stanislaus stood first among Polish parishes in the city. Disaster struck suddenly on February 3, 1928. A fire engulfed the church, caused by defective wiring below the main altar. Despite all efforts to prevent it, the sanctuary was completely destroyed. Total losses were over $60,000, only part of which was covered by insurance. Once again Father Gorzel led his parishioners in a renewed effort to restore the church. The very next day he said mass at the side altar and within two days a temporary altar had been erected in the middle of the church. Though the windows of the church had been broken in the fire, with no electricity available, parishioners continued to attend masses in great numbers despite the cold of winter. Always offering words of encouragement, himself continuously working, within five months Father Gorzel saw the work of rebuilding the church completed. In November of 1929 Archbishop Glennon returned to Saint Stanislaus to administer Confirmation. At the time he voiced the opinion that it stood second only to the Saint Louis Cathedral as the most majestic church in the Archdiocese. Once again the devotion and faith of the people of Saint Stanislaus parish had overcome the most difficult of circumstances. Almost all the original interior decoration of the church had been destroyed in the fire, thus almost all of what now constitutes its ornamentation originated with the restoration of 1928. At that time a copy of the world's largest painting of the crucifixion was installed in the blind arcade of the apse. 7 The original work, Golgotha a panorama with two thousand figures by the Polish artist Jan Styka, had been painted for exhibition at the Saint Louis World's Fair of 1904. Artists who had worked with Styka on the original helped in executing this one for Saint Stanislaus. At a cost of about $10,000, all the windows of the church were replaced. Designed by Michael Olszewski, they are among the most beautiful in the city. On the right side of the church above the altar there is an image of Christ the King designed by Father Gorzel. To the left is the altar of Saint Stanislaus Kostka with an image above of the Saint adoring the Holy Mother. Fortunately the shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa survived the fire unharmed. Above the three domes of the church were painted in azure, intended to represent Faith, Hope and Love, three virtues for which the parish was well known. With the work of restoration just completed, the city authorities declared the old school build¬ing unsafe for use and a fire hazard. Once again the parish responded and at a cost of $45,000 it was repaired and remodeled into a structure which still serves it today. Altogether the restoration of the church and remodeling of the school probably cost as much as the original building project of 1892 and was accomplished by the parish in an equally short time. It was with great satisfaction and profound gratitude that the parish celebrated its Golden Jubilee in 1930. In the Jubilee Book thanks were given and hope offered for the future: thanks for the efforts and the dedication of those who had built the church, and the hope that their example would encourage devotion to work and prayer in the young, so that they might follow in the footsteps of their ancestors. In 1951 Father Gorzel was transferred to Saint Aloysius parish in Spanish Lake. Over the years the neighborhoods surrounding Saint Stanislaus had begun to change, as indeed had the whole inner city of Saint Louis. In many ways the parish had achieved one of its important goals all too well. Several generations of Poles, drawing on its spiritual and community resources, finding both strength and support in its fostering of ethnic identity, had successfully entered the mainstream of American life. In the face of deteriorating neighborhood conditions, many reluctantly were moving away from the parish into the outlying suburbs of the city. It was under these circumstances that Father Joseph Pawlowski was assigned to succeed Father Gorzel. Formerly the pastor of Saint Casimir's, over one hundred families from the parish followed him to Saint Stanislaus. In the years immediately following, Father Pawlowski saw to it that the parish debt was paid off and he proceeded with much needed renovations of the parish buildings. The back of the church was waterproofed and the entire interior was repainted. Both the Sisters' convent and the rectory were repaired and repainted. In 1961 the exterior of the church was renovated at a cost of $52,000. With customary generosity the parishioners paid off this cost within the year. On Sunday November 11, 1956 the parish was able to celebrate its Diamond Jubilee, with Bishop Leo Byrne presiding at the Jubilee Mass. That evening an elaborate program was held in the Parish Hall. Still holding true to its Polish heritage, in 1959 Father Pawlowski led the first Saint Louis tour to Poland. This trip was followed by another in 1962. In 1964 Father Pawlowski was made a Monsignor. His investiture by Cardinal Joseph Ritter took place at Saint Stanislaus Kostka Church. An eventful day in the life of the parish was October 18, 1969, when Cardinal Karol Wojtyla, now Pope John Paul II, visited Saint Louis. After a short visit with Cardinal John Carberry and a tour of

8 the city, he spent many hours at the rectory of Saint Stanislaus. At the evening church service he warmly thanked the people for welcoming him and for the generosity to their brethren overseas. The warmth, lovableness, and compelling personality of the future Pontiff on this occasion created a great impression on all those present. Ties of friendship between the Polish motherland and the Poles of Saint Louis were cemented even further by this most generous of all spirits. In 1968, for personal reasons, Monsignor Pawlowski applied for a leave of absence from pasto¬ral work. It was granted in July of 1970 and Father Robert Szydlowski was then assigned to the parish. A short time later in 1971 Father Jerry Jakle was appointed pastor of the parish. With Father Jakle's arrival still another important chapter in the history of the parish began. For almost two decades the neighborhoods of the near north side of Saint Louis had been drama- tically deteriorating. The parish of Saint Pat¬rick from which Father Jakle came to Saint Stanislaus had once been the largest in the city, but now was reduced to almost nothing. The church of Saint Patrick's the symbol of Irish Catholics in the city, was demolished and Saint Joseph's the mother church of German Catholics, was facing a similar fate. Most Poles who had formerly lived in the neighborhood around Saint Stanislaus had long since moved away. The church itself was badly in need of repairs. But once again the faith and the generosity of her people set an example for the entire Archdiocese Father Jakle, working with a dedicated Board of Directors began the long and often difficult task of restoring the church. With the support of parishioners, the church council, other Polish organi- zations and help from others in the community, fund raising began in earnest. In 1976 Stanislaus Kostka was recognized as a City Landmark. In 1979 the church most deservedly was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. But more importantly, through a series of church picnics and the institution of Polka Masses, the spirit of celebration, song, pride, and faith which had been so much a part of the parish's heritage from the very beginning once again moved through the Polish community and began to attract the attention and the admiration of the entire city. Through hard work, self-reliance, and dedication it was possible to raise over $200,000 by 1979 and the physical restoration of the church was completed. In this, its centennial year, the church of Saint Stanislaus Kostka has been beautifully restored to its condition as of 1930. In remembrance of the three years in which the struggling young parish first began, a 19th century statue of Saint Patrick, perhaps all that now remains to commemorate both that parish and the place where the Polish community of Saint Louis first was united, has now been installed in the church. It is a most fitting symbol both of the support which the Polish community received from other ethnic groups over the first century of its existence and an expression of its gratitude for that support. The Centennial Year has been a most memorable one. On May 25, 1980 Archbishop May officiated at a magnificent Jubilee Mass. His warm and affectionate praise for the congregation bore witness to their long efforts and great faith. On June 8,1980, the Archbishop returned once again to help celebrate the Golden Jubilee of Monsignor Pawlowski. On both occasions services were followed by large dinners where the Polish community could justly celebrate still another period of accomplishment in the history of the parish. Today the Church of Saint Stanislaus Kostka stands proudly as a symbol of Polish achievements in the city of Saint Louis and as a testimony to the faith of many generations. By her example she has shown to the entire city that even under the most difficult of circumstances the work, the love, 9 and the devotion of the past, embodied in the bricks and stones of a beautiful temple erected to the glory of the Almighty, need not be abandoned, destroyed, and forgotten. In the Church of Saint Stanislaus Kostka there is preserved a witness to the faith of the past, the devotion of the present, and a hope for the future. May the prayers and the songs of her people still be heard one hundred years from now.