FtRE DRILL SAVES· CHilDREN. I "Nine Hundred of Them March Out of Blazing Detroit .

DETROIT. Mich.• June l.-All of the pupils -or St. Caslmlr parochial school, at Twenty-third and Myrtle Streets, escaped in safety this morning when fire started on the second floor of the school There were nearly 900 pupils in the " school when the fire wa.s discovered. Fire drills ba.d been frequent. and when the. alarm was spread through the building the tea~hers marshaled the Uttle ones into , orderly lines a.nd conducted them down the stairs and fire escapes to the ljItreet without panic and without injury to any ot them. Hundreds of excited Pollsh fathers and . mothers, frightened alrr.ost to frenzy by I the news oC the tire, rushl!d to the scene from all over the to rejoice when I' they found the1r cbildren safe in the street. The fire was disco~ered in a room on the &e~ond !loor. It is suppused \that greasy rags or waste generated it, but it I is also reported' tha,t an explosion was. beard shortly before the nam~s were llrst I seen. .f'ather Gutowski of the partsb de- . clares that he beUeves an effort wasI ma.de dcliberotely to burn the buildiItg. Tbe loss Is a bQU l $5.000. GOLDEN WEDDiNG3 PUB. FIVE. - Ualqu.. Ceremon, In n roU.h Cathollo Chnf"ob Rt n ..trnlt.. DnROIT, Mloh•• Nov. 17.-[Speclal.]-Fivo tlged couples, all DcighboreJ Rod nU mombcfII of the 881110 churcb, celobralc.od tlle fiftleth aool.eraarJ of their "oodlna~ with a RaideD jub!!" derYlC!B at St. ea....imlr'. Church. The edifice ''''41 crowded to tho duore with tho chil­ dren and IrandchUdreD at t.he portiolpsuDt: coullles, reln(orced by friendll nnd neIahbora. The bapPl' ten woro: MlC!hael Lalow4'lkl, 8gl!d '71, his wifo Eliza­ ooth. oaed 7-1; Jobn Kujct, 80, bId wUe Annn. 77; John DBIYD, 80, h B wife CbrlstrT\o, '71; Jobn Jal!zk .., 75; hi. wife, Mars, 70; John Buman. 83; hb wife. Dor. otby, 76. Thero were two other couples wbu had been married the lIomo dR)' In POlnnd. John and catherina RanllzowdKl and It''rnn'' and MarY \vloe~kl, but tOO! w~re not "blo to altl"nd churcb. The Rev. Paul OutOQkl C!on. dUl'too thP &ervicet. He J')l'C'pnroo Beats for tho ltgcd t'loople witbln tho altn,p ralilUld after maBM bod bO~D cel~bt8led preached a Ilcrmon to them, in wbich bo admonlsbed t.hem to reo DO"'l'd coP2\earation. After Lbo .erl'icc:i a& UlQ church a reCe)ltiull W88 he:d Ilt tho prlCzlt's hOUfiO nod 111ter a bj~ gnthcrmg or the parl-h took pJBeG'ot the ptJtlsb I!choolbousc. l'ha BiNi couJllca Rrc 0)) hule,ftud tlenrt,f nnd dur­ ini'the doy U'Ct8 BurrouDd~d. by twcntY-B II C!bUdrep and over 110 grlUldcbil\lren.

Giirago Dat~~ Tl'ibune {]8 7~·1963 ; )lov S. aS94: Pr pg. 4 ~~ .~------

IllUSlRA liONS

PAGE 179 - st. Albertus Parish Council DETROIT'S OLDEST 180 - Altar Society, Christian Mothers 181 - Zwiazek Polek, Third Order 182 - L.C.B.A., Youth Club POLISH PARISH 183 - L~dies Guild, Sodality 184 - Altar Boys, St. Vincent de Paul 185 - The Peopl e of God of St. Albertus Parish 186 - Senior Citizens of st. Albertus Parish 187 - Mrs. Augusta Goike, Oldest Livin g Parishoner 188 - Michael Koss, Serving Mass for Pope Paul VI Blessing of Food Baskets, Holy Saturday 1972 189 - Polish Wedding 190 - Polish Wedding 191 - Corpus Christi + 192 - R(!member When? 193 - Remember When? 194 - Remember When? 213 - st. Albertus Ushers Club Officers 214 - st. Albertus Ushers Club Memb e r s 215 - st. Albertus Ushers Club Memb e r s 220 - Fr. John Szopinski, Assistant - St. Albertus Parish ST. ALBERTUS

1872 -1973

History by REV . JOSEPH SWASTEK Polish Histb~ by REV . JOHN SZOPINSKI , S.J.

Photograptrs by ­ FRANK J. SLOMZENSKI 6559 Drexel Dea rborn Hgts . . Mich. 48"27 LO. 2-3173

2 3 -.

Fr . Mueller's funeral, held Thursday, April 24, was among the largest and 1903, when he received Ihe bishop's commission 10 examine Fr. Dabrowski's most impressive in Detroit's Polish community history. The aclive and honorary posthumous papers, marked only Ihe beginning (as was pointed OUI earlier) of pallbearers included some of the best known cilizens of the city. The church was his concern over Ihe deceased rector's legacy . fiJled to overOowing by over 3,000 parishioners, priesls, nuns, and dignilaries. In addilion, Fr. Mueller served for sixleen years as a member of Ihe Easlern Bishop Foley and his auxiliary Edward D. Kelly both attended as did Deanery Board of Education, from his appointment in 1897 unlil his dealh. He Suffragan-Bishop Paul Rhode of . Bishop Kelly celebraled the Requiem was Ihe Ihird Polish priesl 10 hold a diocesan office, following Rev. Joseph Mass, after which Bishop Foley eulogized the deceased in English while Rev. Dabrowski (who was Ihe firsl priesl to serve as president of the Detroit Diocesan Joseph Lempka delivered the Polish funeral oration. School Board) and Rev. Paul Gutowski, paslor of SI. Casimir Parish, who had The body was temporarily interred at Me Elliott Cemetery, where Bishop become a member of Ihe board several years before Fr. Mueller. From 1902 Rhode performed Ihe final obseqUies. Subsequenlly, Fr. Mueller's remains were until his death, Fr. Mueller also served as a diocesan examiner of Ihe junior moved, al his own dying requeSI, to MI. Olive I Cemetery and laid in a clergy . mausoleum next 10 the lomb of his beloved mOl her. She had resided wilh him Shorlly before his death, in recognition of his faithful service 10 Ihe up to the time of her death three years earlier. Calholic Church and the Polish community in Delroil , Fr. Mueller received an Fr . Francis Mueller was one of the best and most faithful slewards of SI. unexpecled gift which delighled him . II was a phOlograph of Ihe sainlly Pope Albertus Parish. He brought it stability and prosperity, peace and prestige. He Pius X (canonized in 1954) personally inscribed and signed by Ihe ponliff made il possible for the parishioners 10 look their neighbors proudly in the face himself. The Latin inscriplion said: "To our beloved son in charge of SI . Albert and to carry Iheir heads high with dignity . "­ Church in Delroit we impart from Ihe hearl a pledge of our good will and our 111is good repute redounded 10 the Polish community at large throughOUI apostolic blessing." Delroit. Earlier, in Ihe 1870's and 1880's, the city papers wrOle with veiled Though gladdened by the papal message, Fr. Mueller showed signs of contempt or half·concealed sarcasm, or with waspish attempts at "Polish Jokes," apprehension about his health as the 1913 New Year brought its wintry blasts . about "Polacklown slums" wilh "the shanties ... hogs and geese in Ihe Vet he continued his work and numerous inlerests, eager for spring. He gave an backyards. ."; aboul "Polack town wives 'al Ihe markel shopping' wilh a interview to Tile Detroit JOllmal in favor of woman suffrage. He preached Easter sharp tongue ..."; aboul "Polackville ... the Polack church . .."; and about Sunday with concern about the damage done by a windslorm on Good Friday to "The Rioting Polacks haVing anolher shindig al the church" and "some broken the church steeple and cllimney. heads " Easter Monday morning he became quite ill and died aboul Iwo weeks later Now, due in good measure to Ihe many·sided, persistenl inOuence of Fr . of pneumonia . After receiving Ihe last rites from Rev . Roman Klafkowski , he Mueller, Detroit newspapers began, already during his lifetime , to publish articles breathed his last on Saturday, April 19, at 7 :35 in the evening, at the rectory . with a differenl lOne and content - aboul "Detroit's Polish Colony," about "Detroit's Polish Pioneers and Their Remarkable Progress," about "Shepherds of Ihe Polish Flock and their Churches," aboul "Represenlalive Polish Cilizens" about "Delroit Poles in Music .. .," and aboul "Detroit's Beautiful Polish Girls." Mayor William B. Thompson best exemplified Ihe new attitude in a speech he delivered July 5, 1907, allhe Polish Falcon convention: "Detroil is proud of its 70,000 Poles who helped ils prosperily, built its most beauliful churches, mainlained first class , paid their taxes, and obeyed the laws ." Thirty or even Iwenly years earlier no politician, however eagerly avid for Polish support or sympalhy, would have made such a slatemenl in a public assembly and much less for publ ica lion.

CHAPTER 6 THE AMERICAN·MINDED PASTOR

Rev . Joseph F. Herr, Ihe elevenlh paslor of SI. Alberlus Parish, while in some respecls similar to his predecessor differed from him in others. Bolh bore Teulonic surnames, came from Prussian -Poland (Ihough one was a Silesian the olher a Poznan ian), and made their prieslly sludies in America . BUI Ihey differed in outlook and attilude, particularly in one significanl respecl : Fr. Herr's primary cultural inlerests , preferences, and loyalties lended to be American FR. M U ELL E R 123 122 • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • y • • • • • • • • • • + • • • • • • • • • • • • • +

SOUVENIR BOOK

OF THE

St. Casimir parish

DETROIT, MICHIGAN

1882 - 1957

( " .: . '

j .. ay •••••••••••• y •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

First Pastor ot St. Casimir's

Born January 5th, 1845 in Poland Finished his education in Poland at the Marian in Peiplinia, Poland Ordained a priest Dec. 1st, 1872 A ppointed Pastor of St. Casimir Dec. 8 th, 1882 Died March 30th, 1918

• • + • • • • • • • + • • • • • • • • • • + • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

:<:;. <). J{;stor~ of St. Casimir Church In the year 1882, seventy families decided Parish. Rev. Wermers, pastor of St. Boniface, to build their own church. It was a holy and greeted the delegation and knowing the pur­ beautiful thought. The biggest obstacle in pose of their visit, introduced them to Rev. building the parish was that there was no Paul Gutowski. Until the new parish would Polish priest to take charge. Confident in be built Rev. Werrners made arrangements God a committee was organized to collect the for the Polish people to attend devotions and necessary funds. The following were on the hear mass every Sunday at 9 o'clock at St. first church Committee: Joseph Raniszewski, Boniface parish. Rev Paul Gutowski took care of their spiritual needs until they moved into their new church.

Bishop Borgess officially appointed Rev. Paul Gutowski pastor of St. Casimir parish November 8, 1882, and in charge of all the Polish people west of Woodward Avenue.

Frank Raniszewski, Joseph Deja, Alexander Knopp, Frank Konkel, John Groen, John Dalman, Andrew Morawski, John Knuth, John In order to gather and unite all the Poles Malick and John Dombecki. living on the south side of Detroit, Rev. Gutowski organized the first Church Society September 1882, six lots were purchased under the Patronage of the patron of the ;\t 23rd and Myrtle from Anthony Grosfield parish St. Casimir. 35 members were enrolled. for £2,330.00. For the women another society, the Rosary Society was organized with 40 members. October 1882, the committee received per­ mission from Bishop Borgess to build a com­ Having the permission of the Bishop, they bin ation building (church and school). The began to build the church and school. April Rev . Bishop then advised the committee to 1883 the building was completed with the \isit Rev. Paul Gutowski at St. Boniface church on the first floor classes and the Feli­ 4 . ., ' " :0

r cian Sisters quarters on the second floor. The of July by Bishop Foley. The following year I building was built at a cost of $13,000,00. the Last Sunday of Advent, Bishop Foley blessed the ' new church. The first mass was celebrated in the new I church April 25, 1883. April 29th, 1883 the In the year 1893, April 30th, the parish new church was blessed by Rev. P. Hennacrt celebrated its tenth anniversary of its organi­ Vicar-General of the . The fast growth zation. On that memorable occasion a souvenir . of the parish had shown the following year booklet was issued and a banquet followed. this report: 85 pews in the church pew rent $4.00 and $5.00. 340 families 2 church societies St. Casimir and Holy Rosary. 152 Baptisms 30 Weddings 34 Funerals 182 Children in school taught by 3 Feli­ cian Sisters. April 18th , 1884 Bishop Borgess nominated the first church committee: 1. Miloch and Joseph Deja. The program at that time consisted of a dinner with various speeches for the occasion, bene­ diction of the Blessed Sacrament at 3 o'clock in the afternoon, and at 7 o'clock in the eVe­ ning a good old fashioned Polish Dance. The committee for that gala festivity were the following: President Alexander Wiciachowski, secretary Andrew Plagens, Cashier Alexander Knopp, Joseph Kromka, John Dalman, Joseph Stynka, Wa\.ter Sobczynski, John Piotkowski and Valentine Budnik. With the beginning of the year 1905 the third floor was added to the Sisters Convent. In the year ] 906 an addition of eight more Shortage of classes necessitated the building classrooms and a third floor was added to the of the Sisters Convent in 1885, whose quar­ elementary school. The dedication and blessing ters were up to this time in the school. ceremonies took place on February ' 10th, Two years later in 1887 the rectory was 1907. built. November 1 st, 1907 the Rev. Pastor, Paul Soon the church and schooL were too small Gutowski celebrated his Silver Anniversary of for the fast growing parish, and so in April Holy Priesthood. In that same year the parish 1889 the new church foundation was laid celebrated the 25th anniversary of the found­ and the cornerstone was blessed on the 28th ing of the parish. ~ I I ~ -- _ ._ _.. -----­ " ~ --- - ~ :1 I -: ' ".

• • • • With alL the preparations for the Joyous • • •• season of Easter the hearts of all the parisn­ oners of St. Casimir were saddened for on that day March 30th, 1918, Holy Saturday, forti­ fied with the last rites the Rev. Pastor Paul Gutowski parted with this earth to meet His Eternal Priest, Jesus Christ. Thursday April 4th, 1918, His Excellency Bishop Kelley in the presence of many clergy and friends cele­ brated a Solemn Requiem mass and funeral services for the remains of the beloved pastor. His body was laid to rest in Mt. Eliot ceme­ tery.

During his pastorage the following served as his assistants: Revs. John Lemke, Joseph Herr, Alexander Skrzycki, Michael Barnett, Leon Jarecki, Eugene Pattok, Bernard Zmijewsk i, Sylvester Kolkiewicz, Jan Zare­ cz ny and Ralph Chrzaszcz.

After the death of Rev. Gutowski, His Excellency appointed Rev. Alexander Grud­ zin ski pastor of St. Casimir. His duties began

:.:.:;J ( ,'mfm.~~~~~ .<>•

.I I i' I , . I. ~ .,{', I ,_ 'II I ~

From May 1919 to January 1920 Rev. Francis Baweja was the acting Pastor. During his time the Central Heating Plant was con­ structed to care for all the heating needs. The cost of this building and boiler was $22,000.

January 17th, 1920 the Rev. Bishop appoin­ ted Rev. Edward Maisel pastor of St. Casimir parish. At that time he was acting pastor of St. Joseph's in Jackson, Michigan. in April of 1918 until May of 1919 when he was made pastor of St. Francis Assisi Parish. Four lots were purchased on the west comer The home in which the sisters lived for the of Ash and 23rd Street in 1923 for $32,000.00. past 38 years proved to be inadequate to Work began in the spring of that year and on accomodate the sisters and to far gone for August 20th, 1924 the sisters occupied the further repairs. It was then decided to build new Convent. The cost of this new building a new sisters Convent. was $69,613.63.

.­ - --­ -­ ---_.--­ - ._ ------­ -_ ._. , I I I

. I

-- "- _.. -'--_....'., Skendzel, uard . THE KOLASINSKI . (Grand Rap; ,MI: Littleshield Press, 1979) p. . Paul Gutowski was a Franciscan priest who a diocesan p through Bismark's Kulturkampf p.83 was rn Jan. 15, 1845 in Masurian region of Poland - he was ordained . 1, 1 came to Chi in 1875 th a group former iscans came to Detroit in inted stor of St. Casimir Church (on Detroit's s ) on . 1, 1 died Mar. ,1918 - one of the founders of PIELGRZYM POLS (The Polish Pilgrim) in A History ofthe Poles in America to 1908 t- C PART III {;. POLES IN THE EASTERN AND SOUTHERN STATES / i f by Waclaw Kruszka i \ _, r " EDITED, WITH AN INTROD UCTION, BY James s. Pula , ~ () ; .2 T RAN SLAT E D BY Krystyna Jankowski

ASSOCIATE EDITORS: M. B. Biskupski & Stanley Cuba

ASSISTANT EDITORS: T. Lindsay Baker, Stanislaus A. BJejwas, Daniel S. Buczek, Anne Cirocco, Anthony J. Kuzniewski, Joseph J. Parot, Donald E. Pienkos, Thaddeus C. Radzilowski, Frank A. Renkiewicz

The Catholic of America Press Washington, D.C. History of the Po 88 A History of the Poles in America to 1908 and breadth of the Lord's vineyar Pitass in the East. Both became outstanding by establishing two of the Rev . Matauszek, SJ, Rev. Seb largest Polish immigrant in America. Barzynski founded St. Remigiusz Berendt, OFM, Rev. I Stanislaus Kostka parish in Chicago which numbered about 50,000 mem­ SJ, Rev. Warol, SJ, Rev.l bers dllling his lifetime, and Pitass founded St. Stanislaus, Bishop and Wn~k, Wisniewski , OFM, and others. Martyr parish, in Buffalo, which had some 30,000 members. We will not So far two Poles have held the dwell on the positive or negative aspects of colossal parishes. We are only Feliks lwiardowski, CR, in the I establishing the fact that these men were able to huddle, gather, and unite Msgr. Karol Langner in the Diol into one organizational entity such huge masses of immigrants, and that highest position achieved by Pol for over a quarter of a century they were able to remain as pastors of such cathedral chapters in America. H huge parishes-ten times larger than many in America. This fact cil do exist. Therefore, we have proves the great and uncommon organizational and self-preserving diocesan consultants or advisors strength of both of these priests. In this regard both of them permanently erend"; Jacek Gulski in the Di shine in the firmament of Polish American history as stars of the first mag­ Gara in the Diocese of La Cros nitude. Other permanent stars, around which many planets and satellites nois; Jacek [Hyacinth] Fudzin revolved , are those who have served interruptedly as pastors of the same Gutowski in Detroit, Michigan; parish for over a quarter century. These include: Rev. Benvenuto Gram­ Ignasiak in Erie, Pennsylvania lewicz in Nanticoke, Pennsylvania; Rev. Jacek [Hyacinth] Gulski in Mil­ waukee, Wisconsin; Rev. Czyzewski" in South Bend, ; Rev. Grand Rapids, Michigan; 1. CI Wisconsin; Benvenuto Gramlev Dominic Majer in St. Paul, Minnesota; Rev. Pawel Gutowski in Detroit, vania; and 1. Pacholski in the 0 Michigan; Rev. Urban Raszkiewicz in Otis, Indiana; Rev. Lenarkiewicz who died in 1904 in Shenandoah, Pennsylvania; Rev . Wladislaw consultant is a shadow of the C only an advisory function; they Miskiewicz in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania; Rev. Ludwik D\lbrowski in San An Amelican bishop must, at til Antonio, Texas; and perhaps a few other such stars. Permanent stars of second and third rank are the many pastors who established smaller or not obligated to follow it. It WOI larger parishes and constantly labored in them for ten or fifteen years. in some cases, a bishop wou\! There were, however, other orbiting satellites and planets passing through cathedral chapters have already various settlements; and finally long-tailed comets crossing the entire countries such as England and missionary footing as the Unite length and breadth of America, not only in the North but also in the South. We have a large group of preachers who are famous for their eloquence, do not have canons. Why? Dc men such as the golden-tongued Rev. Gulski, the pioneering Rev. Moze­ course they do. By 1883 Rome jewski, the honey-sweet Rev. 1. Kosinski, CR, the tearfully moving Rev. and cathedral chapters here, bu Byzewski, OFM. the convincing Rev. Pawel Rhode, the entrancing Rev. ing to Rev. Smith in his Elen1el Wincenty Lewandowski, the soothing Rev. Cezar Tomaszewski, CSSp, Canons would curtail the bisho the thundeling Rev. Raczynski, CSc., the enlightening Rev. Dworzak, is no canon law-the bishop i DO, the eloquent Rev. Edward Kozlowski, the fiery Rev. B6jnowski, the diocesan consultants in Amen v popular Rev . L. Garus. the eloquent Rev. D. Majer, the reproving Rev. the office of bishop. lrremo , biles) have the same right acco Gramlewicz, and the humorous Rev. Zar~czny. It is difficult to name them all , since there are as many as there are beads on a rosary. Of the travelling Baltimore, which state that "ey missionaries who, with the evangelical plow, furrowed through the length able" (see Tit. D, cap. V). We 272 A History of the Poles in America to 1908 History of the PoJi~

road to fortune. He conducted a land office and waged an obstinate battle with other colonizers. This very circumstance prompted him to found KRYTYKA [THE CRITIC Gazeta. The newspaper was successful, but in the second half of 1885 The founder of Krytyka in 1885 '" Klupp died and the entire business enterprise, which had been maintained years had passed since he began his by his energy, tumbled to ruins, taking Gazeta with it. Gazeta Chicagoska [Weekly Announcement], which introduced two new journalistic powers into American Polonia: November 7, 1885, and by Kuryer P Brodowski and Sadowski. Gazeta Chicagoska again appeared in 1901, Quite simply, Tygodnik AnonsOlV) under the editorship of F. Danisch, but soon disappeared from the scene. described its character. However, at Michai J6zef Sadowski (Pankiewicz) was born in Warsaw on June 22, exist, even if fun was poked at it. V. 1857. After completing high school he entered Warsaw University, study­ convention of Polish American jou ing first medicine and then law. In 1881 he left for America. At first he that time the editor of KJupp's C. edited Gazeta Chicagoska, then consecutively Kuryer Chicagoski (1887), Kruszka in passing. Kruszka was s Polak w Ameryce (1888), and Echo (1888-1891). Thereafter he was the owski asked humorously in his ne editor of Dziennik Narodowy until his death in April 1900. He was the sowy would send its "editor" to the secretary general of the PNA and also published the humorous periodical changed his conviction about M. K.J KukU/)'ku [Cock-a-doodle-do]. Krytyka, since it was not much l~ impress others, because the Czech ~ GAZETA NARODOWA [THE NATIONAL GAZETTE] OF DETROIT paper of Karol Jonas, labelled it ' In 1874 Jan Barzynski 's Gazeta Polska KalOlicka had been appearing in since KI},tyka had condemned 5 Detroit for a few months. After that, however, there was no newspaper became an acquaintance and good there for the next ten years. Only 1. Piotrowski's bookstore existed. In lieutenant governor and Kruszka se September 1884, just before the national elections, the weekJy Gazeta Other editors of Krytyka include Narodowa appeared in Detroit, published by Piotrowski and edited by Stalistaw Slisz in 1887, and F. H. J Zawisza.2l Zawisza was also one of the more interesting journalistic fig­ Being totally under the direction ures in America. He was an absolute radical who came from Galicia and be nothing but radical in every was a socialist. The extreme radical tone of the periodical and the lack of twenty-five and A. Paryski and F. I funds soon caused the Gazeta Narodowa to fail in the same year it was Only S. Slisz, who also edited K founded. Hieronim Derdowski, a famous Kaszubian folk writer who had conservative than they, although 1 come to America at that time, also worked for Gazeta Narodowa. Since that time each of them has c It could be said that Krytyka We PIELGRZYM POLSKI [THE POLISH PILGRIM) OF DETROIT and it declared itself vehemently 0 Pielgrzym Polski was a joint stock publication. The president of the class. company was Rev. Pawet Gutowski, the secretary was A. Koiakowski, The first issue of KI)'tyka appe and the treasurer was K. Nowakowski. Hieronim Derdowski took over the 1886, Krytyka enlarged its fom1 editorship of Pielgrzym. Misunderstandings occurred and in 1888 Der­ increased its size threefold, finall} dowski left the newspaper and went to Winona, Minnesota. Kazimierz When writing about KI)·ryka. it Olszewski, later the publisher of Pawda [The Truth] in this city, took over It surrendered its role as the first f as the editor of Pielgrzym; it folded in 188824 ennik Polski, a Polish daily perio 2 VJl..., \; IC1Q) ica to 1908 Notes to Chapter 11 353

! partitions. The difference was 21. M. J. Kucera e-1904), active in the organization of the Chicago Cmin" Polska in each other in America. IBM and the Polish National Alliance in 1880. See: Bolek, Who's Who. eho] from October 8, 1864, after 22. Francis Jerome Jablonski (1863- 1908), author, leader in the Polish National Alliance and editor of major Polish American newspapers including Kuryer Polski of in : mysterious person. Romauld J. 1901-1905. See: Polski Sluwnik Biograficzny, to, pp. 255-56. is editorship. See: Joseph Wieez­ 23. '!ulian Piotrowski, printer, was one of the pioneer leaders of Detroit Polonia. See: n America from the 1830s to the Orton, Palish Detroil. pp. 21-22, 172, 191. On JOzef Zawisza, see: Orton, Polish Delroit. II Essays (Stevens Point, Wiscon­ 24. Pielgrzym Pulski (The Polish Pilgrim] was founded in opposition to the controversial Rev. Dominic H. Kolasinski by a group headed by Rev. Pawel Gutowski, the pastor of St. pson-Niecko, pp. 124, 248, note Casimir's church on the west side of Deb'oit from its beginning in 1882 until his death. Kaz­ imierz Olszewski, to whom Kruszka refers. probably was Leonard Olszewsk.i who estab­ ded in 1866 by lay Polish nation­ lished Prmvda in 1888. See: Orton, Polish Delroit, pp. 31-32, 183, 191 ,200, note 56. forces for leadership in Chicago 25. On the beginnings of the Polish press in Milwaukee, see: Anthony J. Kuzniewski, Failh & Falherland, p. 23. Krytyka [The Critique] had a moderately pro-labor orientation lble on microfilm at the Immigra­ during the troubles of 1886. See: Kuzniewski, Failh & Fatherland, pp. 28-29, 144, note 38. St. Paul, Minnesota. 26. Slavie (Racine, Wisconsin) is available on mier061m for 1861-1862,1865,1870-1918 at the State Historical Society of Wisconsin at Madison and the Immigration Hi story cher, participant in the insurrec­ Research Center, University of Minnesota, St. Paul.Minnesota. :: Bolek_ Who's Who. 27. Antoni A. Parysso, pen name for Antoni A. Paryski (1865-1935), publisher best hicago] known as Cazeta Polska known t'or his association with Amery/w-Echo of Toledo. On Francis Jablonski, see note 22 s published in Chicago from 1873 above. ~, when it supported the Republi­ 28. Orzel Bialy (The White Eagle], June 30, 1888 to April 1890, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. ld supported the Polish National It was published alternately with Opiekum (The Guardian]. igration History Research Center, 29. Antoni Mallek (1851-1917), musician, composer, tencher, and publisher; organized the Polish Singers Alliance of America in 1888 and held major offIce in the Polish National 19O'S most important Polish pub­ Alliance. See: Polski Siownik BiograjicZIlY, 19, pp. 474-75; Leon T. Blaszczyk, "The Polish 50 Polonia. Antoni Smarzewski­ Singers' Movement in America," Polish American Siudies, 38, No. I (Spring, 1981), pp. 50­ em-keeper, and earliest organizer 62. 'arot, Polish Catholics, pp. 19-24; 30. Julian Czupka (1854-7), lawyer, editor, and poet. See: Bolek, Who's Whu. 1837-1905) was political leader of 31. Rev. Jan Romuald Byzewski, OFM (1842-1905), pastor of SI. Stanislaus Kostka church in Winona from 1875 (?) to 1890. See: Bolek, Orton, pp. ! development of the community. Who's Who; Polish Delroit, ;yn, "The Political Career of Peter 187-188. 32. Rev. Konstantin Domagalski (?-1895ry), writer and editor. See: Orton, Polish Delroil, .; Wiktor Karlowsld, soldier, civic pp. 56-57; Polski SlofVniok Biogrujiczny, 5, p. 292 . 33. Jerome Derdowski (1852-1902), poet, editor, and major contriblltor to Kaswbian as a nent in Detroit in 1873 that led to literary language. See: Andrzej Bukowski, Dzialalno.ic Literacka i Spoleczna Hieronim Der­ erica. The foundation and move­ dow.~kiego w /tm£ryce (Gdansk, 196 1); Helen Derdowska Zimniewicz, "Poli sh Trouble­ outlook and personal leadership. maker-Pioneer Trouble Shooter," Copher HislOriafl, 4 (November, 1949), pp. 2, 4. 13. :a from 1874 to 1880) was trans­ Wiafl/.\·, which ceased publication in 1919, is available on microfilm at the Minnesota State ame a dominant force in Polish Historical Society in St. Paul. )n there, probably in 191 3. Some 34. On Rev. Luczycki, see original preface, note 13. direction of Rev. Gieryk. On this 35. Rev. Jan Pitass (Pitas) (I844-1913). the foremost leader of Buffalo Polonia in the :e Orton, Polish Delroil and Ihe early immigrant generation. See Polski Siownik Biograjiczny, 26, pp. 584-85. 981}, pp. 191-219, note 85, 222 36. J. M. Sadowski is the same as M. J. Sadowski noted earlier in the chapter. O. 37. Stanislaw Slisz died in 1908. See: Bolek, Who's Who. active in the Polish National 38. Rev. Antoni K1awiter ((839-')}, a Roman Catholic priest who eventually joined the !iecko, "The Poles in America," independent Polish church movement in America. See: Stanley L. Cuba, "Rev. Antoni Klaw­ S. iter: Polish ROInan and National Catholic Builder-Priest," Polish American Sunties, 40, No.2 :hicago since 1888, weekly until (Fall, 1983) the Polish National Alliance of 39. The persons noted in this paragraph are mostly shadowy figures associated with the , 1908-1974 at the Immigration beginnings of Polish socialisln in America. The biographies of J!izcf Bemolak, Alphonse Vlinnesota. Chrostowski, Jan 1. Chrzanowski, and Juljus Szupka in Bolek, Who's Who, and Kruszka, on~ )f. See: Bolek, Who's Who. Hislorya, 5, pp. 23, 65, suggest that the Ognisko group was an ideologically mixed 18 A History of tbe Poles in America to 1908 The Poles in Michigan and Eastern Canada 19

Three hundred twenty families belong to the Polish parish of the Immacu­ asked him in German if he knew where the Poles lived. The stranger asked late Conception. There are four societies in the parish, as follows: the Arch­ them why they wanted to know, and when they told him that they were also confraternity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, with 90 members; the Rosary So­ Poles, his joy knew no bounds. The stranger had been Jak6b Mindak, who dality for Women, with 200 members; the Rosary Confraternity for Young passed away not long ago . He took them to the headquarters of the Poles; Women, with 180 members; and the St. Cecilia Choir, with 38 members. Fa­ they were all bachelors, and they all worked as tailors. ther Watajtys is well liked and respected by his parishioners for his truly fa­ It is possible to imagine the joy of the three bachelors when they saw the therly solicitude, with which he surrounds them. first young Polish woman on American soil. They all shouted in unison to In November, 1906, the Polish settlement in Parisville celebrated its golden Mr. Lemke: "G ive her to me"-"No, give her to me"-"I will take her." The anniversary-with a solemn mission conducted by the Jesuit Fathers. lucky winner was Stanislaw Melin, and the honorable marriage is still in the best of health today. Meanwhile, the Poles kept slowly coming to Detroit, [although they had PARISH OF ST. WOJCIECH IN DETROIT not yet formed a community 1 and thus were not well acquainted with one another. However, they all attended SI. Joseph Church. And so, on the way to The first Poles arrived in Michigan, near the border of Canada, in 1855.' church, the pioneers heard the Polish language. Two strangers were talking They, therefore, settled there at more or less the same time as in Wisconsin between themselves: "We have it good here in America, but we do not have (Polonia), and in Texas. We read in the annals of the Detroit Swoboda that our own church, we do not have a priest, who would hear our confession in they were immigrants from Western Prussia from around Chelmno, Torun, our language, we do not have a preacher, who would speak into our hearts." PelpJin, and Gdansk. The strangers were Wojciech Lorkowski, still living today, and his brother­ Before them, there were two immigrants from 1831 : Kaminski and Jas­ in-law, Stanislaw Swi?tek. They then got together, got to know each other nowski, whose son does not speak much Polish, and who considers himself better, and began to count themselves. There were already quite a number of more of a German than a Pole, as well as two Polish priests: Father Julian them, and they began to think of founding a church confraternity. They Maciejewski, the pastor of the German parish in Greenfield, who is buried at were: Karol and Franciszek Rohr, Jan and Marcin Kulwicki, Stanislaw Zien­ Mt. Elliot cemetery near the not-long-deceased Father Jan Lemke, and Fa­ tarski, Maks Zi~tek, Leon Wolanski, Jan G6ra, Antoni Konus, Szpigiel family, ther Pawlowski, who left Detroit shortly after the arrival of the first Polish Tomasz Zotowski, Jan Laza, Fr. Strzyiewski and his three brothers Jan, J6zef, settlers. The oldest of them all was Antoni Leszczynski, who soon left Detroit and Antoni, Jan and Franciszek Szafran, Marcin, Antoni, and Jakob Os­ and settled on a farm where, in 1876, he lost his life in a fire. His wife survives trowski. him to this day in Sand Beach, and all her grandchildren speak Polish as if it There were also: Jak6b Richard , J6zef Hildebrandt, Jakob Szymanski, An­ were their native tongue. Around 1855, citizen Stanislaw Melin, who is alive toni Zuchowski, Jak6b Jablonski, J6zef, Antoni and Jan Bialk, Jan Rojewski, today (1899) arrived with his brother Franciszek, and his brother-in-law, A. and Jak6b Lorkowski, Michal Jezewski, Marcin and Antoni Trepa, Fr. Jakob Mindak. Both the Mclin and Leszczynski families have preserved their G6ra, Maciej Kopydl6wski, and Fr. Ellwart. The majority of these first set­ mother tongue to this day, that is, to the third generation. tlers joined together into the confraternity of SI. Stanislaus Kostka. which ex­ The Lemke family arrived in 1859, and comprised citizen Jan Lemke, still ists to this day, numbering a few hundred members. Around 1871, there were living, his first wife's sister, and two nephews , both now deceased, of whom already over 300 Polish families, and during this time, the German Catholics one passed away in 1894. Jan Lemke left behind his widow and children, began to build a new, magnificent church of St. Joseph at St. Aubin Ave. and whose children , in turn, still speak Polish at home. The arrival of the Lemke Canfield. The Poles wanted to participate actively with contributions and in family was the boundary stone, so to speak, of the Poles becoming organized the construction, but they were told that, although they would be accepted ill Detroit. They were initiaUy planning to go to Milwaukee, but an old Jew, into the parish, their pews in the new church would have to be separate. who promised them the world, talked them into remaining there. The Jew It was then that they began to think of their own temple. From time to also informed them about the Poles already living there, and showed them time, Father Wieczorek, C.R., commuted here from Parisvilk, Michigan, to the street where they resided. So, the entire family went to search for them. hear confessions and to preach in Polish. He encouraged them to separate On Clinton Stree t, between Hastings and Antoine, they met a stranger and themselves from the Germans and to found their own parish. Before Father 21 20 A History of the Poles in America to 1908 The Poles in Michigan and Eastern Canada

Wieczorek, other priests had come to Detroit, but Bishop Borghess sent 54 feet, and 30 feet high; the house is to be 40 by 30 feet , 18 feet high, and quite comfort­ able. them away. Father Wieczorek wrote from Parisville on January 25, 1871: All three buildings are to be wooden... . Illinois and Michigan must be in our hands, There have already been four Polish priests in Detroit trying to get a place for them­ there is no other way.... Address: 496 Gratiot Street, Detroit. selves, but because they were of dubae famae and spoke only Polish, the bishop would Meanwhile, at the beginning of October, 1871, ParisvilJe burned down, and not accept them, although there are many Poles in Detroit and other cities in my dio­ cese and the people want Polish priests. I commute to Detroit only during the summer, Father Wieczorek moved permanently to Detroit, leaving the Poles in Paris­ which is only six hours away from me-I have visited the others only once. ville under God's care. It was when Parisville was on fire that General Kaj­ siewicz was staying with the German pastor in Detroit. A month later, Father He also wrote to the general on February 16, 1871: "There are many Poles in Bakanowski stopped in from Chicago, and wrote to the general on Novem­ Michigan, and our house could be long lasting and helpful to other houses if ber 22, 1871: only it was not dependent on the German one" (the house in Canada!). And Father Bakanowski, CR., wrote to the general from Chicago on August 5, The Poles in Detroit are very sorry that they couldn't see Dear Father-those were Ger­ 187t: man tricks .... I returned from Detroit today, where 1 met with the Bishop and Father Wieczorek, and so: (1) It is the Bishop's firm wish to have at least two Resurrectionist Father Wieczorek wrote that there are many Poles in Detroit, even more than in his Fathers in Detroit, for whom he will send money for the trip at any time. He docs not Parisville, Michigan, and that they want the Resurrectionists; they themselves have sent want any secular priests. (2) Polonia in Detroit, numbering 350 families, is harmo­ a petition to him, fuil vidil, and he has left the decision until Dear Father's visit there. niously compatible: all, without exception, have declared themselves to support two This would, of course, be better for us than Paris, Michigan.lfwe could manage to have priests. (3) The), are already building a larger and more beautiful church than in two houses, one in Chicago and the other in Detroit, then we could satisfy the entire Chicago with the rectory next to it and a . Everything is to be completed northern part of the . And again the temptation to leave Texas. Let Dear by May. (4) The Bishop told me that Father has promised him at least one priest to help Father Ihink about it some more before Christ, and maybe he will decide to leave Texas Father Wieczorek. (5) Although he finally told me that it does not matter to him whom for good. Let the bishop (of Texas) protest. . .. our Superior sends from the order, it would, however, be right and just for Falher Wieczorek to remain here, since he must bear so many difficulties today, and in addi­ The representatives of Detroit Polonia then went to Bishop Borghes, who tion, he has gained the confidence and love of the people, that I dare to speak up for gave them permission to find and purchase land. Farmer Kotodziejczyk, who him to continue to stay here. (6) Father Wieczorek wants to be totally obedient to us. still lives near Detroit, Jan Lemke, Antoni Ostrowski, and Antoni Trepa set (7) The mission in Detroit is equal to the one in Chicago-there are many Polish colonies out on a pilgrimage among the numerous French people here, who own al­ around, to which there is easy access. most the entire eastern part of the city. And so, Father Wieczorek, a member of the Resurrectionist Order, but di­ J3ellair, Riopelle, Beaubien, St. Aubin, and Campau all had lots, and each rectly hating his superior, the German Provincial Funcken, took over the understood his business very well; each knew that the construction of a Polish mission in Detroit. Busy with the construction of the church and rec­ church would populate the area that had been covered with a dense forest tory, Father Wieczorek describes his relation to the order and his parish­ until now. The German, Pulte, who passed away recently, was our country­ ioners to the general on January IS, 1872, as follows: men's advisor. They paid $1,200 for the land, on which the church was to 1 have not written to Father General for six months because Father Funcken (the have been built, and where today stands the rectory. The money for this was Provincial ) virtually forbade member of the order living in America to write directly to put down by the above-mentioned Frenchmen, and a few hundred was still the general, and ordered everything to go through the Provincial. ... I am requesting left over to begin construction on the building. Bishop Borghess looked over that this puzzle be resolved, that is, what is the meaning of such a deadly silence be­ the lot, gave his blessing, and the Poles began their work-under the direc­ tween me and the Fathers of the order, both in Canada and in Rome. Some complain tion of Father Wieczorek, CR., who wrote to Father Bakanowski, CR., on that they are getting denunciations from Rome, which means that they are still under Your care, but I get neither denunciations nor any information. Maybe .. . this is anger September 23,1871, a few weeks before the forest fire in Parisville: because I had been in opposition to Father Funcken. 1 was in Oppositio, that is true; ... The bishop used me as an intermediary for the Poles in Detroit in order to unite them but after the fire . .. 1 requested help, but they left me like Lazarus behind the door; 1 felt and to build a Polish church ... he will certainly give the adminisration of Detroit and bad, but 1 found pity elsewhere, and it was from strangers, and that is why I have no other missions in northern Michigan to our order. Up to now, 1 have done everything conviction regarding German hearts within the order ... I myself heard, how in that is necessary for the construction of the church, the rectory, and the school-we Canada, two of our fathers, heated with Sicilian or some other wine, c\;lmored: "Just have one lot 270 by 100 feet. We already have $4,000 endorsed. The church is to be 120 by wait you Poles, when Provincial Funcken gets here, YOli will get it:-did 1 not have a rca­ 22 A History of the Poles in America to 1908 The Poles in Michigan and Eastern Canada 23

son to become insulted .... I heard that there have been some disagreements in American bishops but also General Kajsiewicz's. So as soon as the church Chicago; this suprises me very much because Father Bakanowski is very clam and a would be completed, Bishop Borghess wanted to get rid of Father Wieczorek. phlegmatic-some complaints were lodged there .... As to me, I also have some dis­ tress due to money, the repayment of the debt ... I moved business along as quickly as 1 The consecration ofSt. Wojciech church took place on July '3,1872. could, and because of my speed or energy, I already managed to pay $14,000 for the It will undoubtedly be interesting for our readers to become familiar church, the house, and other things inside the church, and I insured everything for five with the voices of the English and German newspapers, published in Detroit years at $15,000, which is the value .... In the summer of next year, I want to clear the at that time. Above all, it is striking that not one of them mentioned any parish totally of debt. The Bishop is very satisfied as is the parish . ... I have much too Polish names. It's as if they never even heard of them at all. The Abend Post, much work because I must also service the neighboring missions .... The Detroit parish has 300 families; I administer and also teach in the school, and there are many ill peo­ Free Press, Tribune, and Daily Post mentioned the consecration of the ple.... I am requesting an assistant-Father Karol Lanz or Father Zwiardowski. One new , but not a word about the fact that the Poles had built will be constantly in Detroit, and the other will conduct missions not farther than two it. hours away. This mention can be found in the Sunday issue dated July 13, 1872 (on July Parisville did not belong to these "neighboring missions" because Father 13, 1902, this parish celebrated its 30 year anniversary), and it sounds as fol­ Wieczorek had abandoned it for good in its misfortune, and another priest, lows: Father Dziurowicz, was there now. So, which missions did he service from The formal dedication and consecration of the church of St. Wojciech on St. Aubin Detroit? He wrote about this on August 16, 1872: "One is here (in Detroit), Street not far from Gratiot (only 15 blocks) will take place today. The procession will and the other must commute to Wyandotte, Bay City, Grand Rapids, Cold­ begin on the corner of Croghan and Antoine Streets at 2 P.M., and the following Soci­ water, and other missions within a 20 mile radius from time to time." There­ eties will participate: (Here the Polish societies from Detroit and from Wyandotte, Michigan, are listed, and further, the German, Irish, and Belgian ones totalling .12, as fore, an assistant was really needed for Father Wieczorek, but this assistant well as two bands, of which one is Czech). necessarily had to be a Resurrectionist-hands off the Polish missions to other The route: Antoine Street to Lafayette, Lafayette to Riopelle, Riopelle to Gratiot, Gra­ priests! Father Bakanowski wrote to the general from Chicago in the spring tiot to St. Aubin, and St. Aubin to the church. of 1872: There is no mention in any of the papers about the consecration itself. The bishop from Detroit sent Father Wieczorek to me to inquire when we will be able Only three days later, we found a short notice in the Free Press that the Polish to give him more priests. Everything in Detroit is to be completed in June-the church, colony around the new church is increasing daily. rectory, and the school. I promised that by that time there can be a priest. Certain that It is difficult to understand why all the newspapers were silent regarding he will get Resurrectionist Fathers, he told the people imperatively: if they do not get them, then they won't have any. And so, res nostra, et damat ad Dominum suum. We the founding the first Polish parish. When the editor of the German newspa­ beg Dear Father to be done with Texas as quickly as possible ... they themselves are per at that time was asked about it, he could not explain this matter. It seems ready to leave Texas as soon as possible. that no one believed at that time that the number of Poles would increase, and it was thought that the parish would soon pass into German hands, so In the letter cited above, dated January 15, 1872, Father Wieczorek also wrote: no one wanted to give any encouragement even with one word. Meanwhile, our countrymen, having a brave priest (Father Wieczorek), a soldier from Towards the end of this letter, I get the idea and the temptation to ask for the title of 1863, at their head, were busy founding a Polish school, when they came Apostolic Missionary because others have ranks and I do not have either one or the across more difficulties than in building the church. other. ... Up to now, I had been renting a hOllse for the school, but since there are Bishop Borghess had already decided to have Father Wieczorek, a staunch more and more children, the parish is forcing me to build a school valued at $5,000. To­ morrow we are purchasing the land, and after Sundey, we will begin construction of a 55 supporter of the school, removed immediately after the consecration of the by 65 foot school. church. Father Bakanowski, wrote to Father Semenenko from Chicago on July 18, 1872: Thus, with this intention of building a school, as we shall see further on, Father Wieczorek greatly antagonized Bishop Borghess against himself. A The consecration of the church in Detroit on July 14 took place in an exemplary fashion Polish school in America? To teach the young generation that already grew up with all due ceremony. The Bishop consecrated it, Father Wotlowski and I pre ac hed sermons, and in addition, we conducted a small mission for the people. On the third on American soil Polish? What for? Why, the Polish nationality in America is day, we went to dinner at the Bishop's; he received us hosp itably, but finally stated that destined to die out-such was the cOllviction at that time not only of the 24 A History of the Poles in America to 1908 The Poles in Michigan and Eastern Canada 25 he did not want to have Father Wieczorek in his diocese any longer; he ordered me to isfied and advised me to build a small school at this time at a small cost (at that time take him with me immediately, and to send another in his place. I replied that he must there were already 450 Polish families!). The parishioners also knew about this, but-they stay until another could be found. In the mean time, the Bishop delegated full power to wanted a large, not a small, school. ... Of course, I did what the Bishop had Father Woltowski to put everything in the Polish missions in order where Father Wiec­ ordered.... And when the parishioners didn't want to agree to this (to build only a zorek had spoiled things through his violent character. Now let Father Funcken be small school ), angered, I said: either you leave everything as is and I shall leave because smart enough to at least make some kind of order in the Polish missions when the Poles of your stubbornness, or do what you want. And so, they did what they wanted; they at the very mention that he is a German, do not even want to see him. And also, if he made new plans, a contract, and began their work. The Bishop was tuld about this a few wants to use us as his screen ami to make lise of us, then he must first seek our favor. times by me, and he even stopped by himself on April I, 18n He saw evel]'thing that was being done, and I do not know whether he was pretending, but he seemed quite There was no land for the school, and everyone felt this need very well. pleased; he was only angered that the Poles wouldn't listen to me.. . . Things went along Times in America were critical then; the Viennese crash had been felt here quietly until Father Funcken came to Detroit. From then on, the Bishop changed to­ also. The Poles were not able to collect enough for the purchase. But through ward me, and a few days later, he himself cam e over and brought me a notice closing the untiring efforts of our settlers and their brave pastor, this jJroblem was the church with an interdict for the entire parish and a suspension for me . . .. Father Ludwik Funcken summoned me to Canada, where I am to begin a retreat immediately also solved. Citizens Jan Lemke and Antoni Ostrowski went to Gross Point, tomorrow... . There were still other reasons; for example, the deceased Father Hi­ and there having mortgaged their own properties, purchased the land on eronim (General Kajsiewicz) had promised to send the Bishop either two priests or a which the school stands today. Meanwhile, the pastor was having difficulties second one to me.... The Bishop considered this as a broken promise. During 11 with Bishop l3orghess, who very reluctantly agreed to its opening. To be sure, months, I was able to form a beautiful parish comprised of 400 families, build a church, he did not deny permission to purchase the land, but he kept delaying the and a hOllse; I also paid off $19,000, and only $4,500 of the debt remained. I left Detruit on the 25th of this month. The Bishop said that the Polish church will remain closed confirmation of the plans from week to week, as if waiting for something to until all the required conditions will not be met b)' the parish. The people are insisting happen that would interfere with its construction. The parishioners and the very much that I return to Detroit; with two of us there, the Rule would be intact. pastor, seeing that they couldn't wait any longer for his decision, began con­ Chicago and Detroit are I'ery important missions; these two places may some day be of struction without permission. l3ishop 130rghess, returning from a tour of his great help in the work of the Lord's vineyard as to Polish priests by opening purely Pol­ diocese to Detroit, saw the raised scaffoldings from the train going along De­ ish . I do not have any more desire to administer a parish; [ would prefer to be a quindre Street, and immediately summoned Father Wieczorek. l3ishop missionary for the Poles dispersed here and there-l would only need to have the title of Apostolic Missionary. Borghess, God rest his soul, was known for his absolute behavior, and the changing pastors during his administration were the best proof of this. An­ Father Wieczorek remained in St. Agatha, Canada until December, 1873, gered, he immediately removed Father Wieczorek from the rectory-to the when he went to Chicago to help Father Zwiardowski. general sorrow of the parishioners. In the "" given Father Wieczorek, After Father Wieczorek's removal, Father Friendland said mass at the Bishop Borghess clearly states the construction of the school as the reason for church ofSt. Wojciech from time to time; a few months later, Father Gerecke his removal: (Gieryk), who had been a chaplain in the Prussian army, an extremely human and educated person, came. He encouraged the Poles to form into ... testamur, Rev. Dnllm Simonem Wieczorek nulla censura Ecclesiastica innodatum, one huge organization-he went to Chicago for this purpose to communicate irno bonis moribus esse ornatuill. Quum tamen tempure lluper eJapso contra nostrum mandatum et in scriptis datum et praesenti sermonc iterum atque iterum definitium, with the Resurrectionist Fathers, and he even intended to go to Europe to Scholam aedificare incepit seu saltelll ab aliis incipi permisit, ac significationem ante is­ send immigrants to the most favorable locations. His plans were salt ill tius aedificii inceptionem faciendam per litteras nostras die 30 Decembris A.D. 1872. Bishop 13orghess' eye, and he looked for an excuse to remove him. The praescriptam non transmisit, ellm in pace dimittimus ... . Detroit die 7 Junii 1873, C.H. Bishop first warned Father Gerecke not to fool around with any organiza­ !:lorgess. tions, but when the latter replied that what he intends to carry out is for the Father Wieczorek left Detroit on June 25, 1873, and went on retreat to 5t. salvation of the people under his care, and that he will not back down, his Agatha, Canada, from where he wrote to Father 5emenellko (General Ka­ fate was sealed. Father Klimecki came to Father Gerecke, and when the jsiewicz had already passed away) on June 27, 18n: l3ishop found out that Father Gerecke had allowed the visitor to say mass without prior notice, he immediately removed the beloved pastor, sending Bring close to paying off the church debts, and seeing the Polish children aban­ an ex-Franciscan, Father Alfons D?browski as his replacement; soon there­ doned .... I intended to build them a Polish . J immediately let the Bishop know about this, and he accepted the proposition well; indeed, he was even sat- after, he also sent Father Wollowski to help, who had only one arm .. Father 26 A History of the Poles in America to 1908 The Poles in Michigan and Eastern Canada 27

Alfons Dq.browski did not stay long in Detroit. His relations with Father side of the pastor's opponents, and everyone had the feeling that Father WoUowski were not the most pleasant, and in addition, he had still other Kolasinski's days as pastor at St. Wojciech were already numbered.s difficulties; after a year, he left this city for good. Meanwhile, the school was in the hands of the Felician Sisters from the WoUowski did not fare any better. The lack of one arm did not make him time they arrived, and the Reverend Mother Superior founded a central appropriate for administering the already much enlarged parish. It was the mother house in Detroit for the entire United States, from which their teach­ time when a railroad car factory had been opened, a furnace factory was de­ ers left for all the Polish colonies. veloping, whose fame spread throughout the world, and the Poles were com­ Already in October and November, ]885, the harmony of the parish was ing by the hundreds virtually every month. At that time, the parish of St. disturbed. A substantial number had become displeased, and they made ac­ Wojciech already had over one thousand families. cusations against the trustees and the pastor. In as much as these accusations Shortly after Father WoUowski's arrival, Father Dominik Kolasinski (who were true, they were never officially proven. However, due to these accusa­ had fled from the diocese of Krakow) came to Detroit. Accepted by Bishop tions, Bishop Borghess removed Father Kolasinski, and put Father J. Borghess, he was assigned as Father WoHowski's assistant. This was in 1882. D~browski in his place as pastor, and made Father Jaworski, C.S.S. (who was But they couldn't stand being together for long, and Father WoHowski gave later active in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania-with the Order of the Holy Spirit) his up his posilion to Father Kolasinski was then alone in the huge parish now assistant. At any rate, Father Kolasinski was allowed to celebrate Sunday numbering over two thousand families. The old wooden church was now too mass and to preach his farewell sermon. It was in this sermon, memorable in small, and the new pastor began construction on a magnificent temple with the history of the Detroit Polonia, that Father Kolasinski complained to his enthusiasm and energy, which today is the embellishment of the entire city of parishioners that he had been unjustly and without a hearing divested of the Detroit. At the same time, Mr. Jan Zynda opened the first Polish brewery in position of pastor by the Bishop. Continuing, when his own words embit­ the United States, and expanded it each year so much so that today it is one tered him, he tore the church vestments on himself, and the entire church of the largest and most successful. shuddered from the weeping of the devout parishioners. On the following Father Kolasinski's relations at the beginning were the best with both day, when the priests, newly appointed by the Bishop, arrived at the church Bishop Borghess and the other priests; what helped him in this was the excel­ to celebrate mass, a substantial group of women, ill-disposed toward the new lent social and human disposition of the pastor, who soon became one of the priests, finally caused an open scandal. In order to enter the church, Father J. most powerful people in Detroit, having several thousand supporters among D~browski was forced to call the police, and with the aid of tcn policemen, the attached parishioners. Contributions for the construction of the new clearing the way for him, he entered the church, and (as the chronicles state) temple flowed copiously; everyone gave freely because salaries were good and "having posted the policemen in uniform and with their hats on next to the steady. And so, the cornerstone was consecrated on June 29, ]884. altar railings, he began to celebrate mass." This caused a shock and distur­ The day before this event, the English newspapers announced the program bances. Fathers Dq.browski and Jaworski returned to the monastery under of the entire ceremony in big letters. police protection, and the church remained closed from that time. Oil was The following year (1885), the church was opened, and first Father Jozef added to the fire by the contemporary Pielgrzym Polski, inspired by Fathcr Dq.browski, and then somewhat later Father Pawe! Gutowski arrived in De­ Gutowski, and edited by the famous Mr. Derdowski, who, however, moved troit. The first held the position of chaplain of the Felici an Sisters, and the from Detroit to Winona in January, ]886. second, took over the parish of St. Casimir on 23rd and Myrtle Streete that Father Kolasinski continued to live at the rectory, but he was degraded, had been already founded by Father Kolasinski. Next, Father D~browski having lost his position, and the newly appointed priests lived at the began construction on the Seminary, which he brought to completion monastery. All spiritual services, such as christenings, weddings, confessions, lhrough his untiring work and efforts. and funerals were celebrated in the monastery chapel. For the most part, the Meanwhile, serious disturbances were imminent at the parish of St. Woj­ people sided with Father Kolasillski, and they made efforts with the Bishop ciech. Two factions, one supporting the pastor, and the other one against to have him reinstated. However, all the efforts came to nothing. him, began to declare themselves against the trustees, and to drag things However, the breakthrough actually took place 011 Christmas Day of 1885. through the courts, and, in other words, something could be felt in the air. On this festive holiday, a group of two thousand Poles dressed for the holi­ Towards the end of 1885, Bishop l:3orghess openly declared himself on the days, went to the Bishop's residence to ask for a hearing. As virtually every­ 28 A History of the Poles in America to 1908 The Poles in Michigan and Eastern Canada 29 one witnessing these disturbances that is still alive, that was the moment opelle Street for common prayers, at which he presided dressed in a stole and when Bishop Borghess, now deceased, could have easily prevented the entire even preached sermons at times. During this time, Father D~browski went to storm. The Poles rose early, they heard the ringing bells in all the Catholic Krak6w and brought back two young priests, who were to have been profes­ churches in honor of the Birth of Jesus Christ, they looked at their own sors at the seminary. One of them was Father Baranski, pastor in Brooklyn, church, whose doors were closed and whose bells were silent-and they were who passed away a few years ago, and the other was Father Wincenty overtaken by a great sorrow, and one thought went through the minds of the Bronikowski. Father Bronikowski, nominated as pastor by Bishop Borghess, gathered crowd, which was, to go to the Bishop and ask him to open this came from an old noble family, whose grandfather had lost a substantial for­ temple they had erected at the cost of their work and sweat. Unfortunately, tune, and whose father (a famous translator of Greek and Latin poets) had Bishop Borghess did not understand this feeling that enlivened the crowd, been a professor at the Ostrow high school in the Duchy of Poznan. He did and instead of coming out and discussing the matter with them, he left for St. not, However, remain long in the position of professor at the seminary. Hav­ Joseph Church on the sly. This was a mistake, for which Bishop Borghess, ing received the nomination for pastor at St. Wojciech, with his demea'nor God rest his soul, met with general condemnation. The most distinguished and his sermons, which he delivered with an excited, trembling and moving Catholics of the city of Detroit did not hesitate to express their condemna­ voice, he gained the love of almost all his parishioners in a short time. The tion in the English newspapers. From that time, ties between the bishop and parishioners, to this day, praise his administering since he did not build any­ the supporters of Father Ko!asinski were broken. thing, but paid off the debts, He went through much unpleasantness; anony­ The bishop next announced that his decision regarding Father KOf3sinski mous letters and threats constantly embittered his life; but for a respite, he was unshakable, that he did not intend to see any delegations, and that he de­ would travel to Europe each year. During his stay at the parish of St. Woj­ manded total compliance of both the priests and the parishioners. On his ciech, Father Borghess resigned from the office of Bishop, and the Holy Fa­ part, Father Kolasinski declared that he would not leave the rectory but ther appointed Father John Foley to replace him, who took over the office of would defend himself; he stated that he had turned to Rome with this matter, Bishop of the diocese of Detroit at the beginning of 1889. and until he received a reply from there, he would not listen to the bishop. The first change that newly elected Bishop Foley instituted among the Then scenes took place that did not give the Poles in Detroit a good opinion. Poles was to remove Father Bronikowski from the parish, and send him to Virtually every day, gatherings took place on St. Aubin and Hastings Streets, Hilliards, Mich. The Bishop stated the reason for this that Father Broni­ daily altercations with the police, in which both one and the other side had kowski went to Europe too often. The sorrow of virtually the entire parish wounded, and finally one person was even shot. was great and genuine when their beloved pastor was leaving Detroit. Father Father Kolasinski, remaining at the rectory, was generally considered the Bronikowski's assistants had first been Father Frauenhofer, a Swiss, next, Fa­ cause of the unrest, and he was finally ordered by the city authorities to leave ther Henryk Cichocki and Father Antoni Leks, later the pastor at St. the rectory. At that time, there were already 22,000 Poles in Detroit, of which Josephat. 2,000 lived on the western side in the parish of St. Casimir (Father In March, 1889, Father Kaz. Rochowski came here from Adrian, Michigan; Gutowski); the remainder belonged to the parish of St. Wojciech, whose he was 50 years old, and was famous as a good priest and a good administra­ huge church with 2,500 seats could no longer fit everyone. Already then, tor. The members of the parish had no objection toward him except that he there was talk of a new church that was to be built on Hastings Street. In ad­ was replacing their beloved Father Bronikowski and that he had worked for dition, many Poles attended the Czech church, whose pastor was Father Ko­ so long among the Germans. Father Rochowski initially began construction erner. Our immigration was comprised of nine tenths of arrivals from the on the new Polish church on Canfield Street between Hastings and Antoine Duchy of PoznaJ1 and Western Prussia, and only a small part was from Gali­ Streets, which he completed within one year. It is now the church of SI. cia and the Kindgon of Poland. Leaving Detroit, Father Kolasinski received Josephate, and his assistant, Father Antoni Leks became its pastor. Next, he the necessary papers from Bishop Borghess to be the Polish pastor in Minto began construction of a brick rectory, which was completed at a cost of]8 (Warszawa), North Dakota where-as the chronicles state-"on Holy Satur­ thousand dollars. After Father Leks left for his own parish, Father Kazimierz day, 1886, he was received with great enthusiasm." Waiajtys, the pastor in Parisville, Mich. today, became the assistant at the Meanwhile, his supporters remained in Detroit. A certain Antoni Dlugi, a parish of St. Wojciech. The pastor, incited by secret enemies of the seminary, Jesuit ex-brother from Galicia, assembled them for a long time at 907 Ri- who at that time were determined to bring him to ruin, and were already 30 A History of the Poles in America to 1908 The Poles in Michigan and Eastern Canada 31 close to their goal , tormented the vicar so liked by everyone, and a crisis oc­ western side of the city, founded in the previous year, to him. In the begin­ curred, due to which Father Walajtys went to Hilliards, and Father Ro­ ning, he celebrated mass on 18th Street, until the old church and school were chowski to Port Huron. Today, no one holds it against Fathers Rochowski not erected on 23rd Street off Myrtle. According to the words of the pastor and Walajtys that they had a bad attitude toward the seminary since it is himself, the debt came to five thousand dollars, and 500 families immediately known that the latter had been incited. joined the newly built church. They did not, however, live in a compact mass Father Floryan Chodniewicz, a young priest ordained barely a year before, like in the East, but dispersed over a vast region. PropitioUS times kept in­ took Father Rochowski's place. During his administration, the current creasing the parish every year, and soon the old wooden church was not large school was built at a cost of thirty thousand dollars. Father Chodniewicz re­ enough. Within a radius of several blocks, there are many brick-yards, and mained at the parish of St. Wojciech for three years. His assistant was Father many of our countrymen were employed there when the times were good. Apolinary Tyszka, also very well liked in Detroit, and then the old Father These people got Bishop Foley to give permission to build a new church, Orzechowski. When Father Chodniewicz resigned, the latter also resigned, which was soon erected. But even for the divided parish, the old church was going on a long trip around the world. During Father Chodniewicz's admin­ too small, and construction was begun on a new one. Admittedly, the new istration, a very important event occurred in our lives, that is, the acceptance temple of St. Casimir is worthy of being located on a grander street, but the of Father Kolasinski and his entire parish back under the jurisdiction of pastor and the parishioners proved that they did not begrudge their pennies Rome and the bishop of Detroit, John Foley. Cardinal Satolli, the apostolic for the praise of God. The honorable Father Gutowski is the oldest Polish delegate, brought this about in Rome and in America. pastor in one and the same parish. His assistant was Father Zmijewski. Of the Father Franc. Iszek Mueller, who replaced Father Chodniewicz in June, assistants, who worked in his parish, Father Zar~czny, later the pastor in 1894, was also a student at the Polish seminary, and for the first time, he insti­ Buffalo and in Beaver Dam, should be mentioned, as well as Fathers Kol­ tuted harmony between the institutions and the rectory from the beginning. kiewicz and Rodowicz. Just like Father 13ronikowski, he also gained the opinion of a good admin­ Father J6zef Herr was recently the assistant there; then from 1902, it was istrator in the parish. His assistant was Father Fr. Dobke, a newly ordained the ordained Father Conus, and later, Father Rafal Chrz~szc z . (1895) priest from the Polish seminary, a true blue Detroit resident. His assis­ The parish of St. Casimir has over 1,000 families. More than 1,000 children tant for eight years was Father Franciszek Sajecki, born in Western Prussia, attend the school, taught by 14 Felician Sisters. who came to Milwaukee at a very early age, and who studied in Baltimore. He passed away at age 32. For the last few years, Father Mueller's assistants were Fathers Roman CHURCH OF THE HOLY HEART Klaskowski and Boleslaw Stefanski. OF MARY IN DETROIT The parish of St. Wojciech numbers over 2,000 families. Close to one and a half thousand children attend the school, taught by 20 Felician Sisters. After Father Kolasinski's departure for Dakota (in the spring of 1886), the On Jul y 13,1902, the parish ofSt. Wojciech celebrated the 30th anniversary church of St. Wojciech remained closed for a long time. We found the fol­ of its founding. That same day, the newly ordained Father Aleksander lowing hopeless notation in the chronicles under the date of September, Conus, designated for the diocese of Detroit, celebrated his first mass here. 1886: "This church will sooner get into foreign hands than it will be opened." At the same time, the following Poles were ordained along with Father The disturbances had already subsided, but Father Kolasiilski's side kept Conus at the Cathedral of Detroit: Fathers J6zef Lekston, Franciszek Pattok, hoping that Propaganda would condemn Father D~browski's party and M.J. Orzechowski, and Konstanty Rutowski. would extol Father Kolasinski and return him to them. We had already mentioned that Father Bronikowski, who had taken over the parish of St. Wojciech after the disturbances, often went to Europe, and PARISH OF ST. CASIMIR IN DETROIT due to this, had finally been removed by the bishop. And so , on June 24 , 1888, due to Father Bronikowski's intended departure for Europe, and due to a Father Pawel Gutowski came to Detroit from Baltimore in 18 83, and change in bishops, Father Kolasinski's supporters telegraphed to Dakota, Bishop Borghess immediately entrusted the emerging Polish parish on the where he was living in Minto at the Polish colony, summoning him . On July n America to 190 8 The Poles in Michigan and Eastern Canada 43

JOSEPH tion, he purchased two side altars for $800, and pipe organs for $1,700. Two more acres of land were purchased, on which spacious sheds were built for Ie city ofSt. Joseph, on the banks of the farmers coming to church. Two hundred Polish families and five Irish of Poles. In 1896, they formed the ones belonged to the parish. About 200 children are taught in the school by e, the Jesuit Father Franciszek Szu- Dominican Sisters from Adrian, Michigan-two Polish, one Irish, and one Polish parish. German. Recently three Felician Sisters took over the school, and Father W. 1902: Maruzek the parish.

., being 80 years old, he is robust and , him, but all those of other nationalities PARISH OF ST. STANISLAUS IN HILLIARDS A.nd so, we Poles are proud of our Hon­ t and berries here. Everyone has twenty busy, even small children. Children four Far from Detroit, and only a couple of miles south of the second bishop's use they help in picking berries. capital of Grand Rapids lies-within the borders of the diocese of Detroit­ Hilliards, where about 90 Polish families live. In the beginning, the Poles did­ returned to the old country. n't have their own church here; they had to attend the German church, but I, and the oldest and first Polish set- they did have a Polish school with lay teachers. Father Ponganis from Grand Rapids commuted here to hear confessions, and it was he who advised them to build a Polish school. The school was built even though Bishop Borghess was against it. In 1889, through the efforts of Father Ponganis, Felician Sisters DY IN BRONSON were brought in as teachers, and Father Ponganis commuted to them as their chaplain for two years. Bishop Borghess did not want to give permission to ;h farming settlement), on the Indi­ build a Polish church, stating with emphasis: "Sooner will hair grow on my parishes, although mixed, since 1875 palm than will you have a Polish church in Hilliards." to/icka for 1875)· Then, Bishop Borghess resigned from his position. And Father Ponganis certain Father Charles Horst. After celebrated the first Holy Mass in the small church. And in 1891, the first per­ d here every month for five years. manent pastor in Hilliards was Father Bronikowski. After him, the following .anent pastor for seven years, and in performed the priestly duties there: Father Leopold Moczyg~ba for a few lry. He was succeeded by Father Jan months, Father Wiktor Rodowicz for a year and a half; during his two year rish of St. Wojciech in Detroit; he administration, Father Walajtys built a brick church; next, Father Kolkiewicz ing to visit an ill person, he caught a was the administrator, and after him again came Father Wiktor Rodowicz, lith Father Schaepper as his assistant who, however, resigned in June 1902 from the position of pastor. The new md he had the interior of the church pastor, Father J. Lemka, pushed the parish onto a new track. Warsaw did this work. Next, Father months, and on September 21, 1899, this parish; he had been born in PARISH OF OUR LADY IN KINDE ~lmno, and his parents were in De­ her's name had been Chewelkowski, Located in Huron county. The pastor was Father Jan Hewelt. been changed to Hewelt. The young from Prussia because he had been ewelt purchased an entire block in PARISH OF ST. JOSEPH IN ERIE ncent two-story, 94 by 72 foot school The pastor is Father Emil Wolfstyn; Polish farmers from neighboring re­ only a $900 debt remained. In addi- gions attend his church, but our countrymen want thei~ own temple. For this The Poles in Mi 44 A History of the Poles in America to 1908

purpose, at the beginning of 1902, the Poles from Erie asked Father Gutowski In September, 1860, Father F from Detroit to intercede with the bishop to give them permission to build a first Polish Resurrectionist on 1 Polish church. Land for the church was magnanimously offered by a certain after, the second one, Father Ed Frenchman from Erie. in language, arrived. Father BI Berlin. In 1865, the of St It is a beautiful and spacious i THE POLISH CHURCH IN VICKSBURG splendid lawns . [n addition, the parish here, "sufficiently suppc In this small town in Kalamazoo County, there exists a papermill, in which for the bishop and the general mainly Poles work; wanting to keep them on their jobs, the company mainly Resurrectionists, Father Walery contributed to the construction of a temple for them. The consecration of ing Berlin in 1890, wrote, in par the new, Polish church took place here; Father J. Lempka from Hilliards, I mainly spend time in the German Michigan, was in charge of its construction. for the Germans. There are, in fact , From the Diocese of Detroit, let us make a side trip to Canada, to the Jan Stefan, C.R., a German, has lear Province of Ontario. He has organized a chapel for them a painting of Our Lady of Cz~stoc h( wooden box in which the painting · thing that is Polish, he wished to s, The Poles in Eastern Canada 6 manner by building them an altar Poles are all poor laborers living fl North of Lakes Erie and Ontario, and east of Lake Huron, extends the vast very complimentary terms about tt more accurate, and more thrifty. E, Canadian province of Ontario. Three Polish parishes deserve mention here: grants of other nationalities easily r Berlin, Wilno, and Barry's Bay. to the other, bringing with them! quickly as possible (List)', \II, page,

CHAPEL OF ST. JOSEPH IN BERLIN At the College, there was alsc brated the anniversary of the Berlin in Ontario is located about 150 miles northeast of Detroit, Michigan, "However small the number I in Vlaterloo County. The Resurrectionist Fathers, mainly Germans, founded keep to the traditions, and thi their first mission in America here at the beginning of 1857. General Kaj­ pated are not unfamiliar to us. ' siewicz in his "Memoires about the Beginnings of the Resurrectionist Order" tor Theobald Spetz, C.R., and (1867) wrote: him, there are 8 other Resurre of Father Stanislaw Rogalski, v Father Charbonuel, the bishop from Toronto, Canada, almost with tears in his eyes a long time; there are also 8 t begged us to give him at least two mi ssionaries for the Germans, Czechs, and Poles set­ dents attend the College. The tled in his diocese. He received Father Eugeniusz Funcken (a Westphalian by birth ), and the mission in Canada wa s founded at the beginning of 185 7. ists wrote in his "Letters" (pa! We sent a few Silesians and foreigners , who would never speak Polish well, and in Berlin have a chapel. On S whom our more enlightened countrymen would only laugh at; we sent them, I said, to people gathered. They pray, Canada, mainly for the Irish and German population; meanwhile, our poor Polish peo­ and the Angelus in Polish. I ~ ple from the Poznan district, Western Prussia, and Upper Silesia, exiled from Poland by tend the German parish chur ' hunger and working as hired help and as craftsmen, as soon as they learned there were priests able to hear confessions in Polish, immediately made their way to the small town their homes." of Berlin, about which I am writing here, and soon a tiny Polish parish was formed; the rn the last few years, the pel poor Czechs also joined it (Father Kajsiewi cz's letters from 1871). been Father Pawet Sobojak, C