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History of St. Stanislaus Kostka Parish. St.StanislausKostkaChurchCentennialCommemorative 1874-1974, Bay City, MI, p. 23-50. CAP at Orchard Lake.

Our Forefathers Look to Michigan

EventhoughthefirstPolishimmigrantshadsetfootonAmericansoilin1762,themarkedincreaseinPolishimmigrationtoMichiganandtheBayCityareaoccurredinthe1860'sandtheearly1870's.NewlyarrivingPolescamefromacountrywhichatthetimeofthegreatemigration,wasapar-titionednationundertheruleofRussia,Prussia,andAustria,theirhomelandwasmainlyrural;opportunitiesforeducationwerelimited."Gettingahead"inthatworldwasvirtuallyimpossible.TheUnitedStatespresentedthe"goldenopportunity"inalandoffreedom.MuchofPolishhistory,ahistorythatatonepointbroughtPolandtothemostprominentpositioninEuropeinthe16thcentury,hadshapedandformedthenatureandcharacteristicsofthenativePoleandthatofthePolish-AmericanofMichigan.ThehistoryofthePolesinMichiganandtheirchildren,then,becamehistoryofcontrasts:ofsternhardshipandgreatgaiety,ofplowingandworkingandprayingandplaying,offestivities,religiousservice,characterizedbyanunceasingdevotiontoarichculturalheritage,athousand-year-oldtraditionandatreasuryofcustoms.Schooledinthebasicartsofearningalivingonthelandandintheforest,thePolishimmigrantsneededonlytheunboundedopportunitiesofMichiganfortheirtalentsandambitions.Onecouldforgehisownfuturehere;onecouldseetherewardsofhislabor.Thebuildingofhomes,thestartingofschoolsandchurches;thecareofthesickandinterestinthenationalandlocalaffairswerechallengeswhichcouldnotbeignored.Churchworkandcommunityserviceswereliterallyinfusedintotheirveins.ThepioneerPoles foundworkasunskilled laborerson thehighways,at theAmericanCarandFoundryCompany,attheMichiganCentralDepot,andatthevariousstoveworksinDetroit.SkilledPolishlaborwasattractedtoDetroitwhentheautomobileindustrybegantodevelop.Manyoftheseworkers:mechanics,millwrights,diemakers,toolmakers,draftsmenandengineershadtheirearlytraininginPoland.ThepioneerPolishwomenwereemployedchieflyinhotelsandrestaurants,asdomesticservantsandinhousekeepingpositions.Thedaughtersofthesewomenhadamoreselectivechoiceofoccu- pations.Manyofthemwentatfirstintocigarfactories;somefoundworkinoperatingsewingma-chinesandpunchpressesinautomobileplantsandotherfactories.Manyfoundemploymentworking

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instoresaswrappersandsaleswomen,inofficesastypists,filingclerks,andstenographers,andsomeasteachersinthepublicschoolsandasnunsintheCatholicschoolsestablishedbythePoles.Sincetheirfirstarrivalin1762,Polishimmigrantsandtheirdescendantshaveaddedconsiderablytothehalf-millionmembersofMichigan'stotalCatholicpopulation.Rev.JosephSwastek,notedhistorianattheOrchardLakeSchools,furtheradds,that,"Today,anestimated300,000MichiganCatholicsofPolishancestryresideinthestate'ssevendioceses."Since1852,whenRev.JulianMaciejewskistartedasamissionary,morethan500priestsofPolishancestryhaveservedinMichigan.Outoftheirrankshavecomeeightbishops,tenseminaryrec-tors,morethanseveralreligiousprovincialsandfoundersofeducationalinstitutions,andoveradozenwritersandscholars.Presentlyabout200priestsofPolishoriginserveaspastors,seminaryprofessors,diocesanofficials,chaplains,counselors,andparticipantsinspecialministries.

Poles Arrive in Bay CityWithmemoriesandloveofhomeland,industrioushabits,andapromisingfuture,thePolishimmi-grantbegantoplacehisrootsinhisnewcountry.ThePolesinBayCityrepresentedacrosssectionofimmigrantsandtheirchildrencamedirectlyfromPolandorfromplaceslikeShamokin,Pennsylvania,orCanadawheretheyhadbrieflysettledwhenworkinMichiganwasscarce.TheybegantosettleinBayCityabout1870;thefirstknownPolishcolonistwasLouisDanielewskiwholeftZyrkowo,Poland,at18.Initially,hewenttoEnglandwherehemasteredtheartoftailoringandthenmovedontoNewYorkwithplanstoeventuallytravelaroundtheworld.Itwashere,whileseekingemployment,thathemetCaptainF.H.Blackman,ownerofaBayCitytailorshop.

A Friend to Bay City's Polish PioneersNostalgiaandadesiretobewithotherPolesmotivatedDanielewskitourgePolesfromDetroit,Chicago,andNewYorktosettleinBayCity.Amongthosewhoarrivedhereabout1870wereVin-centGlaza,JosephMadajski,StanislausSmialek,JohnMuszyński,StephenBukowski,JosephWelter,JosephTalaska,JohnWilkowski,VincentGwizdała,AlbertRyczek,JamesGwizdała,JohnTalaska,FrankKozłowski, FrankTalaska, JohnDalecki, FrankGlaza, JohnKrawczak,AndrewGierszewski,AndrewRyczek,CasimirBoczek,JosephRydlewicz,StephenGlaza,AndrewKostus,PeterNowicki,JohnLibera,PaulGoik,JohnStyn,SimonNowakowski,JohnNowakowskiandAndrewPiesik.

In1872SimonNowakowski'swife,AndrewBetcherandyoungJohnRychertalsoarrived.Otherpeoplewhofollowedthenextyearwere:LukeGwizdała,JanKula,PaulGwizdała,VincentKazyak,PaulMusial,JohnGlaza,JohnWitbrodt,MichaelSikorski,JosephWitbrodt,JamesKazyak,CharlesWrobel,FelixTafelski,JohnBajerski,AlbertPawlanty,StephenStefański,AnthonyPrzybylinski,JohnBreski,LawrenceDardas,CajetanMroczkowski,PaulMusial,FelixBukowski,JamesMusial,AlbertBajak,JosephBukowski,JosephLewandowski,JohnKica,JohnPiecki,AugustTwork,AugustLysek,AugustDrzezdian,MichaelBaran,JosephStyn,LouisSkory,AlbertKabat,AnthonySkory,MartinKabat,JosephGoik,FrankLochinski,andseveralothers.FrankWasielewski,wishing toescapePrussianmilitaryservicealsocametoAmericawhereheworkedforaboutsixmonthsinNewYork.SincehewasalsofromZyrkowo,hewroteDanielewskiwhoencouragedtocometoBayCity,andtojointheothernewcomers.

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UndertheleadershipofDanielewskiduringtheyears1870-1874about100familiescametothisarea.Theysponsoredoneanother.HereinBayCityandintheVicinity,therewasenoughemployment,extensiveforestsandmills,hardbuthonestlaborandre-ligiousandnationalfreedombesides.Pleasedwiththeseopportunities,ourpeopleorganizedandestablishedthemselvesintoonegroup.ThiskeptthemtogetherandasaconsequenceprovidedaneedforregularmeetingswhichtheyheldinDanielewski'sTailorShoporwherever"thedoorsopenedtothem".IntheverybeginningtherewasnopermanentlyassignedpriestorPolishaffiliatedchurch,sothenewarrivalsattendedSt.JamesChurchon12thandMonroewhereFatherXavierSzulak,S.J.con-ductedreligiousservicesforthem.Alooselystructuredflockofapproximately100Polishfamiliesbecamehappier,butatthesametimetheybegantogrowmoreconcernedabouttheirfuture.

A Parish BeginsTheycontinuedtoholdmeetingsonWaterSt.atLouisDanielewski'sresidencetodiscusshowtogoaboutfoundingaparishandtheusualsocieties.Theydecided,firstofall,toestablishtheSt.StanislausKostkaSocietyandelectedLouisDanielewskiitspresident.Thefollowingservedasboardmembers:JosephWelter,AlbertPawlanty,AnthonyPrzybylinski,VincentKazyakandFelixTafelski,secretary.ThissocietyservedasanucleusforthepresentSt.StanislausKostkaParish.In1874attheFebruary8meeting,L.DanielewskiproposedbuildingtheirownCatholicChurch.UntilnowtheyattendedtheservicesatSt.JamesChurch.ThesoulsofthePoleslongedforapriesttoprovideministryforthemintheirnativetongue.Hopefulofbuildingtheirownchurchtheybegantoworkeventhoughtheywerepoorandneededhelp.Butbecausetheywerehonestandindustrious,theirfriendsinBayCityweresympathetictotheircauseandhelpfulinthePoles'endeavors.Committeeswereorganized,jobsassignedandwork started.Danielewski,beingveryfluentintheEnglishlanguage,approachedseveralwealthycitizens.Fitzhughdonated the land;Bradley, gave$500 in cash and$500worthoftimber; othersmade smallerdonationsandeverybodywasdelightedthatthePolesweresettlinghere.Thecommitteeswerearrangingentertainment,picnics,bazaarsanddinners.Moneywascomingin;thechurchwasabouttobebuiltandthePolishheartswerefilledwithjoy.InJulythearchitect,L.A.Pratt,finishedtheplans.ThecontractwasgiventoNeilMahoney.Con-structionbeganandinashorttimeasmallchurch,nevertheless,sufficientlylargeenoughatthattime,wascompletedonthecornerof22ndandGrantStreets.WhenSunday,December13,1874arrived,youngmenworkinginthelumberingcampslefttheiraxesandsawsbehind.EveryonewasonhiswaytothededicationofthenewSt.StanislausChurchbyMostRev.CasperBorgess,BishopofDetroit.ThePoles'initialachievementswerenoteworthy;forthehistoryofBayCityprintedin1874gavethefollowingaccount:

"ForthelastthreeyearsagoodnumberofPolishimmigrantsweresettlinginBayCityandthesur-roundingterritory.Therewerealreadyabout200familieshere.ThesettlementoftheseimmigrantswasprincipallyduetotheeffortsofLouisDanielewski,whowasamanagerofF.H.BlackmanandCo.store.Mr.Danielewskiwassoconcernedabouthisfellowcountrymenthathewastheircounselor

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andguardian.BecausetheyspokeonlyPolishanddidnotunderstandEnglish,therearoseaneedofbuildingaseparatechurchtofilltheirreligiousneeds.SotheyorganizedthemselvesintoaSocietyinFebruary1874.Danielewskiremainedthepresident;everymemberpledgedhimselftopayamonthlyfeetowardthebuildingfund.Butoncetheymadesuchadecision,theydidnotwaitlong.Thatsamesummertheybegantobuild.TheoutstandingcitizensofBayCityanxiouslyassisted.Wm.D.FitzhughdonatedeightlotsoflandfortheconstructionatthecornerofGrantand22nd.NeilMahoneygotthecontractinJuly.L.A.Pratt,workedontheplans.ThebuildingwasfinishedandconsecratedbyHisExcellencyBishopCasperH.BorgessofDetroit,Sunday,December13,1874.Thebuildingcostabout$4000.Mr.Danielewskiassumedtheentireresponsibilityforitsconstruction."

WhileDanielewskihadstillbeenactiveintheformationofthenewSt.Stanislausparish,heandtheparishcommitteewenttotheBishoptorequestapastor,butitwasanunrewardingmeetingbecausetherewerenoavailableclergymen.TheBishoppromisedtosentapriestattheearliestopportunity.

Ludwig Danielewski: 1845-1903Danielewski'senergiesandabilitywerenotsimplylimitedtotheorganizationofSt.StanislausChurchortotheinvaluableassistanceherenderedtofirstgenerationPolesintheBayarea.HesoughtfurtherinvolvementinthecivicaffairsofBayCityandBayCounty,displayingallegiancetoandloveforthecountryhehadadoptedandmadeahomeforhimselfandforsomanyofhiscompatriots.In1895,hebecameacandidateforCityTreasurerandwaselectedandreelectedforanotherterm.Beforehissecondtermexpired,hewasnominatedforCountyClerkontheRepublicanticketandwaselectedandreelectedinthenextelectionof1900.In1902,hereceivedthenominationforthethirdterm.Hewasdefeatedinthiselection.Heagainopenedhistailorshop,aftertheexpirationofhistermofoffice,in1903.However,hedidnotcontinueinbusinessverylong.Onedayhewassuddenlytakenillwhileintheshop,andhediedshortlyafterwardsonApril24,1903attheageof58inhishomeonFourthAvenue.HewasburiedfromSt.StanislausChurchonApril28,1903.Itwasnottheonehehelpedtobuild,butthepresenttwinspirededifice,thelargestinthecity.Thepastor,FatherEdwardKozłowski,withwhomheformedaclosefriendship,conductedthefuneralservice.

First Pastor — Rev. C. RochowskiBeforeSt.Stanislauswasabletoboastaresidentpriest,priestscameperiodicallyfromDetroittoconductservices.AmongthemwereRev.XavierSzulak,S.J.andRev.JosephDąbrowski.Chanceryrecords indicatethatonMarch29,1875,Rev.CasimirRochowskibecamethefirstpastorofSt.StanislausinBayCity.Theparishasyetdidnothavearectory;soFatherRochowskirentedahomeon12thStreet.Nowthattheparishhadaresidentpastor,theybegantobuildarectory.ThefirstentryintheparishbaptismalregisterbearsthesignatureofFr.CasimirRochowski.ThefirstchildbaptizedonMay7,1875wasMaryNowakowski,daughterofSimonandFrancesRuzga.ThegodparentslistedareJosephMadajskiandFelixBukowski.

Theyoungparishwasstillexperiencingdifficulties.OnFebruary5,1876,FatherRochowskisuddenlyleftwithoutreturningandtookalongwithhimselfsomeoftheparishrecords.

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FromFebruary5,1876toNovember13,1876,therewasnoresidentpriestintheparishandagainattendantproblemsarose.Oncemoretheparishionerspleadedforapastor.OnNovember13,1876theBishopsentRev.AugustineSklarzykwhoimmediatelysettoworkandfinishedbuildingtherectory.HealsorentedRychert'sstoreon19thandFarragutSts.,thepresentsiteoftheKloha-DeltaAgency,andopenedthefirstparishschoolwithtwentystudents.Thefirstteachersweretheparishorganist,WalterPociecha,andaMr.Smoczyński.AccordingtoTHEBAYCITYTIMESthefirstcoupleofPolishancestrytohavemarriedinBayCitywerePaulGoikandJuliannaHaaswhoweremarriedatSt.JamesChurchonJune3,1871.ThefirstentryintheSt.StanislausParishmarriageregisterbearsthenameofFr.CasimirRochows-ki.HewitnessedthemarriageofFrancisNagornyandBarbaraNevetz,July12,1875,withJosephWittbrodtandBarbaraPiesikservingaswitnesses.

Felican Sisters Arrive — 1876In1876threeFelicianSisterscametothe"wildernessofMichigan"tostaffthenewschoolwhichhadbeenconstructedat thecornerof21standGrantStreets, thepresent siteof theparishconvent.AccordingtoSt.StanislausConventrecords,threeSisterscametoBayCityin1876—MotherM.Cajetan,oneoftheoriginalfivewhocamefromPolandtwoyearsearlier,andSisterM.JosephandSisterM.HyacinthwhowereamongthefirstAmericancandidatestoentertheFelician Community in Polonia, Wisconsin.SisterJeremiah,writingintheEDUCATIONALWORKOFTHEFELICIANSISTERSOFTHEDETROITPROVINCE(1874-1948)interviewedSisterMaryJoseph,whoatthetimewasthelastsurvivingmemberofthatsmallgroupthathadcometoMichigan.SisterJosephrecalledhowtheSistersweregreetedinBayCity—thegreetingbespokerespectandreverenceonthepartofthepeople.Sisterwrites,"ThetiredSistersweremetatthestationwithabandandescortedtotheirconventwithallthefanfareofaparade.Fr.SklarzykhimselfledtheparadeandthepeoplegreetedtheSistersontheirknees."Throughouttheyears,thatsamelove,respectandadmirationofthepeo-pleofSt.StanislausfortheFelicianSistershavecontinued.EvidenceofthegoodworkdonebytheSistersisapparentfromthefactthatBishopCasperBorgessofDetroitwasabletoconfirmaclassof111childrenonOctober28,1877justayearaftertheirarrival.Thespiritofthefast-pacedpioneersofSt.StanislausinfluencedthenewlyarrivedSisterswhowerenowapartoftheparish.DuringFr.Sklarzyks'pastoratetheDetroitDiocesewasdividedandBayCitybecameapartofthenewGrandRapidsDiocesein1882undertheleadershipoftheMostRev.HenryJ.Richter.Fr.SklarzykcontinuedworkinganddevelopingSt.StanislausParishuntil1885whenheretiredfromhisministryinthisarea.Beforehisdeparture,theoriginalsmallchurchbuildingwasremodeled.Anadditiontothebackofthechurchmostdoubledthelengthoftheoriginalbuilding.Asidewingwasconstructedwithasecondsteepleandanotherentrance.Thisbuildingwasmovedin1890tothesiteofthepresentrectorygaragewhenthepresentchurchwasbuilt.Itwasmovedagainin1892tothecornerof21standFarragutwhereitwasusedasanauditoriumandschool.Sometimein1895or1896itwascompletelydestroyedbyfire.AfterFr.Sklarzyk'sretirement,theparishwasservedbyRev.XavierSzulak,S.J.whowasnamedadministratorAugust24,1885untilMarch20,1886.OnMar.27,1887,BishopRichterassignedanewpastortoSt.StanislausParish,Rev.MarionMatkowski.Thedevelopmentandextensivegrowth

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ofthe700familyparishbeganduringFatherMatkowski'sadministration.Fraternal—InsuranceAssociationsappearedonthesceneatSt.Stanislaus.ZwiązekandZjednoczeniewereintroducedtotheBayCityareawithValentinePrzybyszewski,oneofthefoundersoftheformerbenevolentgroup.JohnJachimowicz,anotherparishioner,waspresidentoftheChicagoZjednoczenie.In1889delegatesfortheNationalConventionofthePolishRomanCatholicUnionofAmericametatSt.Stanislaus.JohnJozwiakhadformanyyearsservedasnationalvice-presidentoftheorganization.PresentChurchisBuiltandDedicated.Ataparishmeetingin1889,itwasunanimouslyagreedtobuildanappropriateGothicstyle,brickchurchtoaccommodate1400people.Everyfamilypledged$50forthatcause.ThecornerstonewasblessedJune24,1890.thechurchcommitteeatthattimeconsistedof: IgnatiusBuzalski,JohnJachimowicz,AnthonyKutela,JosephMadajskiandJosephRynalski.Tothisgroupwaslateradded:JacobDardas,AugustEliasz,AlbertKabat,ValentinePrzybyszewskiandJosephZieliński.OnJuly17,1892withcrowdsofparishionersandfriendsparticipating,thenewSt.StanislausKostkaChurchwasblessedbyBishopRichterofGrandRapids.ThischurchrepresentedamostbeautifulmonumenttothegenerosityofthePolishimmigrantsatthattime.THEBAYCITYTIMESPRESSonJuly14,1892describedthestructureasfollows:

"Thenewchurchedificeisthefinestinthecityandoneofthefinestinthestate.Itisofbrick,withstonefoundationandinpureGothicstyleofarchitecture.Itis156feetinlength,109feetacrossand69feetinthenarrowestpart.Itissurmountedoneachcornerinfrontwithtwolargetowers,each175feethigh.Thereisagalleryineachofthetranseptsandvestibule.Thesanctuaryhasadepthof42feet.Theinterioroftheedificeissimplygrand."

ThechurchwasdesignedbyPrattandKoeppeandcompletedatacostof$60,000.DedicationofthepresentparishchurchbroughtaboutacelebrationbyPolesinBayCityprobablyunequalledtothisday.THEBAYCITYTIMESPRESSgavethisvividaccountofthefestivitiesonJuly1892:

"ThededicationofthenewchurchoftheSt.StanislausKostkatookplaceyesterdayinthepresenceofadensemassofhumanity.Itisestimatedbydifferentpersonsthatbetween6,000-8,000werepresent,anditissafetostatethattheattendancehasneverbeenequaledatanysimilarceremonyinthecity.Therewereover2,000inthechurchduringtheentireservice,whichoccupied,almostthreehours,andastillgreaterthrongoutside,buttheprearrangedplansforhandlingthegreatcrowdwerecarriedoutsoperfectlythatnottheslightestmishapoccurredtomarthesuccessofthe occasion."ThePolishpeoplewereproudoftheircelebration,andtheyhadjustcausetobe.Thedaywasamemorableoneinthehistoryofthecongregation.Atanearlyhourofthemorningtheparishionersbegantoassembleinthevicinityofthechurch,andasthetimeforholdingtheprincipalservicesdrewnear,Catholicsfromthedifferentparishesthroughoutthecity,andpeoplesofotherdenominationsaswell,camepouringalonginasteadystream,addingtheirquotatothevastthrong."Most of thebusiness blocks andmanyprivate residences for blocksweredecoratedwith theNationalandPolishcolors,andred,whiteandbluebunting,andbothtowersofthechurchweredecoratedwiththestarsandstripesandPolishflags.FourarchesofevergreenandtricolorbuntinghadbeenerectedacrossVanBurenat17th,18th,19thand22ndstreetsrespectively,andanotheronthecornerof21standGrantstreets.""Thegreatstreetparade,whichstartedfromthechurchat8o'clock,wasinchargeofGeorgeKabat,marshaloftheday,withJosephGorzynski,LawrenceDardasandJosephJablonskiasdeputies.Therewereabout2,000meninline.Halfadozenbandsfilledtheairwithmusic."

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DuringFatherMatkowski'spastoratethesizeoftheparishreachedapproximately800families.Theneedforalargerschoolwaskeenlyfeltwiththenumberofstudentsrapidlyincreasingeachyear.Fr.Matkowskifounditnecessary,therefore,toexpandtheschoolbymovingtheoldchurchandjoiningitwiththeexistingthreeclassroomsonFarragutand21stStreets.Fr.MatkowskiisalsoassociatedwiththegreatBayCityFireof1892.HeisgenerallycreditedwithbringingtoahaltthegreatSouthEndfirewhichbeganjusteightdaysafterthededicationofthenew parish church.OnJuly25,1892,at2o'clockintheafternoonafirebrokeoutintheMillerandTurnerLumberMillonHarrisonStreet.Aheavygalewasblowingatthetime,andinthreehoursthecycloneofflamessweptonitsdestructivepaththroughtheSixthWard.ThesectionfromHarrisontoJenisonandfromFremontto33rdStreetsbecameaninferno.Therewasnosignoftheconflagrationabating.FiredepartmentsfromWestBayCity,FlintandSaginawrushedwithaid.Peoplelivingnearthisterriblescenecarriedouttheirpossessionsandsoughtsafetyfromtheflames.About6o'clock,accordingtosomeeyewitnesses,FatherMatkowski,displayingremarkablecoolnessandbravery,approachedtheburningdwellings.Hereadprayerfromtheritual,sprinkledtheareawithholywaterandthrewsomeblessedsaltintothepathoftheflames.Theonlookersnoticedaconsiderablechangeinthevelocityofthewind.Asthesunsankinthewest,thewindgraduallydiedawayandby8o'clockthefirewasundercontrol.Therestofthesoutheasternsectionofthecity,nowtheareacoveredbySt.Stanislausparishescapedthesamefate.BecauseofaninternalparishproblemFatherMatkowskileftSt.Stanislausinlatesummer1896.HewassenttoGrandRapidswherehebuiltthenewchurchofSt.Isidore.HislastpriestlyactinthechurchofSt.StanislauswhichhehadservedfaithfullyforalmosttenyearswasthebaptismofJosephWiznerowiczonAugust9,1896.Rev.AnthonyBogacki,pastorofSt.CasimirChurch,Posen,Michigan,becamethenewpastorofSt.StanislausonOctober1,1896.Histenureaspastorwasbriefsincetheparishwasadividedoneresultingfromdissensionandmisunderstanding.BecausehewasunabletofindaworkablesolutiontotheexistingproblemandbecauseeachofthetwomajorfactionsintheparishseemedunreconcilableBishopRichterplacedthechurchundercanonicalinterdictandordereditclosed.Similar situationshadoccurred inDetroitandPennsylvaniawhere thePolishNationalChurchcapitalizedonthediscordtogetafootholdinthePolishcommunities.ThePolesofBayCitywereapproachedbyBishopKozlowski,PolishNationalBishopfromChicago,(nottobeconfusedwithourownFr.Kozlowskiwhobecamefifthpastor)whoofferedtheservicesofthePolishNationalChurchtotheBayCityPoles.TothecreditofthestrongfaithedBayCitycom-munitytheirresponsewasthattheychosetoremainloyaltotheRomanCatholicChurch.TheywantednopartofachurchnotincompleteunionwithRome.InsteadtheyattendedMassatSt.James,St.Joseph,St.Boniface,andevenatSt.Mary'sonthewestside.OnJune18,1898BishopRichterreopenedSt.Stanislaus,namingRev.JosephA.Lewandowski,AdministratorandRev.AnthonyBieniawski,assistant.Thedifficultsituationintheparishwasfarfromsettled;however,Fr.Lewandowskimanagedtoservethespiritualneedsoftheparishioners.

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ItremainedforhissuccessortoeventuallybindupthewoundsofdiscontentanddivisionandtoreunitetheparishionersofSt.Stanislausintoaparishfamilyinthespiritofthefoundingpastorand the pioneers. Future Bishop Becomes Fifth PastorOnJanuary6,1900,Rev.EdwardKozlowskibecamefifthpastorofSt.StanislausandRev.VictorWisniewskiwasappointedhisassistant.Fr.Kozlowski,anoutstandingpriest,cametotheparishwitha reputation foradministrativeand leadershipqualitiesandwasalsowell known forhisspeakingability.HewasborninTarnow,Galicia,November21,1860andreceivedhiseducationinPolandandVienna.AsacollegestudenthecametoChicagoinNovember,1883,seekingtheadviceofRev.VincentParzynskiwithregardtohispriestlyvocation.FatherParzynskipromisedtosendhimtoRomefortheologicalstudiesifhewouldjointheRessurectionistFathers."Ihavenocallingtoareligiouscommunity,"repliedFr.Kozlowski."IwanttobeadiocesanpriestandifIcannotbeoneintheChicagodiocese,Iwillseekacceptanceelsewhere."Subsequently,BishopRichteracceptedhimasastudentfortheGrandRapidsDiocese,andhewasordainedinSt.AndrewCathedralonJune29,1887.BishopRichterappointedFr.KozlowskitothepastorateofSt.BrigidChurchinMidland,Michigan,wherehealsoworkedweekendsamongtheIrish,Germans,FrenchandPolesinthemissionsofAverill,Sanford,Coleman,Clare,Gladwin,andBeaver.FollowingadissensionatHolyRosaryChurch,Saginaw,FatherKozlowskiwasassignedtoconductmonthlyservicesuntilhewassucceededbyRev.Grochowski,theparish'spermanentlyassignedpastor.Afterhecompletedthisassignment,theBishopsentFatherKozlowskitoalleviateexistingparishproblemsinSt.Joseph,Manistee.Whilehewasthere,heimprovedparishbuildingsandbuiltaparish school.AllnationalitiesappreciatedFr.Kozlowski'struemissionaryzealbutmostappreciativewerethePolesscatteredovertheBayDistrictwherehewaslatertoestablishparishesandschoolsinFish-er-villeandBeaver.WhenFatherKozlowskileftManisteeandbecamepastorofSt.StanislausParishin1900,therewereelevenclassroomsand800students.Theschoolwasagainbecominginadequate.Inhisfirstsermonaspastor,Fr.Kozlowskiexclaimed,"GivemeanewschoolandSt.StanislausParishwillgrow."WiththisardentthoughtFatherKozlowskiformedabuildingcommittee;however,plansdidnotmaterializequickly.Finaldecisionforthelocationofthenewschoolwasreachedwhenthecommitteeagreedtopur-chasethepropertyofMr.W.Przybyszewski.Planswereimmediatelydrawnupandconstructionforthenewschoolwasinprogress.TheMostRev.PaulP.RhodeofChicago,firstUnitedStatesbishopofPolishdescent,laidthecornerstoneofthenewschoolonOctober16,1910.FatherKozlowski'sservicewasindeliblyprintedonthemindsandintheheartsofhisparishioners.Asapriest,keeperoftheHouseofGodandbuilder,hetookoveraparishthathadexperiencedfinancialproblemsandinternaldissension.

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DuringhistenyearsatSt.Stanislaus,FatherKozlowskiaddedsignificantlytothecompletionofthechurchstructure,furnishingitwithadistinctivebellsystemandamajesticpipeorgan,bothofwhichrankamongthefinestinthestate.Heinstalledelectricityandgasinsomeoftheparishbuildingsaswellasotherinnovativeandpracticalfeatures.Analmostendlesslistofotherparishadditionsisamonghisaccomplishmentsasheincorporatedthelatesttechnologyinthecontinuedphysicalgrowthoftheparishplant.AndrewLewandowski,speakingaboutthiseratoldFr.JozwiakinJune1971,thathisfather'steamofhorseswasoneofthoseusedtohoistthebellsintothetowers.Itmusthavebeenaremarkablefeatofengineeringconsideringtheabsenceofmodernequipmentandthemassiveweightofthebellstotaling12,540pounds.ThefourbellswereblessedApril25,1909beforebeinginstalled.ThelargestofthebellsisnamedforStanislausKostka.Itsweightis6,562pounds.Thesecondlargestbell,MaryAnn,3,324poundswasdonatedbytheLadies'RosarySociety.Thethirdlargestbell,EdwardJosephJohn,1,839pounds,wasthegiftofFr.Kozlowskiandhistwoassistants,Fr.JohnGatzkeandFr.JosephKaminski.Thesmallestofthebells,Elizabeth,815pounds,wasthegiftoftheSt.ElizabethSociety.AllthebellswhichareoperationaltodayandareusedregularlywerecastbyMeneelyandCo.Watervliet,N.Y.TheparishflourishedasSt.Stanislausenjoyedaremarkablegrowth.ItsspirituallifewasintensifiedasFr.KozlowskiandhisassistantssoughttoimplementthedecreeofPiusX,"QuamSingulari,"en-couragingfrequentandevendailyreceptionofHolyCommunion.DevotiontotheBlessedSacramentwasdeepenedthroughtheintroductionofregularlyscheduledholyhoursandEucharisticservices.TheareawhichSt.StanislausencompassedwasnotlimitedtoBayCitybutextendedovertheBayCountyareaasevidencedbythefactthatbetween1900and1908,fiveparisheswereestablished,someofwhichweredirectoffshootsofSt.StanislausParish.FatherKozlowskiwasinstrumentalintheorganizationandestablishmentofBayCity'sSt.HyacinthandSt.HedwigParishesinadditiontoSt.ValentineChurch,Beaver;St.MaryChurch,NineMileandSt.AnthonyChurch,Fisherville.Evermindfuloftheneedsofhisparishioners,Fr.Kozlowski'svisionextendedtothespiritualandintellectualgrowthoftheparish'schildren.Withplansforthenewschoolandconstructionwellunderwayatthebeginningofhispastorate,FatherKozlowski,nevertheless,wasawareofthefactthatabuildingalonedoesnotmakeagoodschool.Hewasregardedasoneofthemostprogressiveeducatorsofhisdayandsawtoitthatthecurriculumwouldnotbeinferiortoanyotherparochialorpublicschoolinthestate.Thefirsteighth-gradestudentstoreceivetheirdiplomasfromSt.StanislausSchoolin1909were:VincentBalcer(laterFr.Balcer)LouisDelestowicz,johnKabat,CasimirKajdan,JosephReszka,IgnatiusTomczak,AlbinZielinski,SalomeAndrzejewski,CatherineGlaza,HelenKiersznowski,ClaraLukowski,FrancesSkowronski(thelateS.M.Fidencia)andMaryannSmilewski(thelateS.M.Annunciata).Whilethenewschoolwasstillunderconstruction,FatherKozlowskiwasdesignatedauxiliarybishoptoArchbishopG.Messmer,D.D.,ofMilwaukee,WisconsinNovember1913andconsecratedonJanuary14,1914.Congratulatinghimonhisnewposition,BishopRichtercalledhim"themodelofthedioceseandapillarofstrength."TheentireparishturnedouttohonorBishopEdwardKozlowskiwhenhere-turnedtoSt.StanislausChurchforaPontificalHighMassinJanuaryof1914.OneofhisfirstactsafterbecomingbishopwastoinstallFr.LadislausP.KrakowskionSunday,January25,1914ashis

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successortothepastorateofSt.StanislausParish.Thesameevening,parishionersatabanquetbadefarewelltotheirgreatlyesteemedandmostbelovedformerpastor,BishopKozlowski.Asapartinggift,hepresentedtheparishwitha$3,000donationtohelpdefraythecostofthenewgradeschoolwhichwasthenunderconstruction.WhenhewasappointedtoMilwaukeeFatherKozlowskileftaunifiedparishthathadweathered"zaburzenia"difficulties.Moreover,theparishhadexperiencedaperiodofsignificantgrowth.Hisrealability,however,layinthefactthatthefaithoftheBayCityPoleswasdeeperandstrongerthanwhenhehadarrivedin1900.ThedurationofBishopKozlowski'stenurewasbrief,forshortlyafterhisdeparturefromSt.Stani-slausandhiselevationtotherankofbishop,hediedinMilwaukeeonAug.7,1915,attheageof55and26yearsinthepriesthood.NearlyonehundredpeoplefromBayCityattendedthefuneralinMilwaukeeonAug.11,1915.

Fr. Krakowski: Pastor — 1913-1943FatherLadislausKrakowski,hissuccessor,andFathersL.S.KwasigrochandL.A.Kuzyuszwereamongthedelegationofparishionersatthefuneral.JohnF.Jozwiak,headofthenationalPolishCatholicsocietiesunionandaclosefriendoftheBishop,hadgonetoMilwaukeetheweekbeforeandwaswithBishopKozłowskiwhenhedied.Assixthpastor,FatherLadislausKrakowskiservedSt.StanislausParishfor29yearsand11months,longerthananyotherpastorhad.FatherKrakowskitookoverpastoralresponsibilitiesonJanuary25,1914,tosucceedafriendthroughtheyears,BishopEdwardKozlowski.BorninTarnow,Poland,May30,1876,Fr.KrakowskicametotheUnitedStatesattheageofeight.HisfamilytookresidenceinChicagowhereheattendedSt.Stanislausgradeschool.HegraduatedfromSt.FrancisSeminary,Milwaukee,Wisconsinin1901andwasordainedJune29,1901atGrandRapidsbyBishopRichter.Fr.KrakowskisanghisfirstMassatSt.StanislausChurchherethenextday.

HisfirstpastoralassignmentswereinPosen,Metz,TraverseCityandareamissionsandatSt.Adal-bert,GrandRapidswhereheservedaspastorfor11yearsbeforecomingtoSt.Stanislaus.Fr.Krakowskiprovedtobeawell-knownsuccessortotheBishop.Hispersonalcontactswiththelat-ter,hisdeepspiritualityandadministrativeabilityideallyfittedhimasheadofSt.StanislausChurch.WiththeonsetofWorldWarI,theparishwasfacedwiththeemotionalinstabilityandgeneraluncertaintyprevalentduring thewaryears.Therewerealsofinancialdifficulties.Fr.Krakowskiremainedundaunted,however,andinafewyearswasabletocleartheparishdebtandbegintheimprovementsthatwereneededwithintheevergrowingparish.Duringhisadministrationhecompletedconstructionofthegradeschool,erectedanewrectoryin1921andanewSisters'homeandchapelin1927.Inhisfirstyearhereherebuiltthechurchsteeplesandin1925and1939completelyredecoratedandrefurnishedtheinteriorofthechurch.In1940hebroughtaboutconstructionoftheparishgymnasiumandsocialroomsthroughanadditiontothegradeschool.BecauseofhiseffortsthefirstSt.StanislausHighSchoolwasorganizedin1929.ClassesweresetupintheoldwoodenhomewhichhadbeentheSisters'conventonGrantSt.be-tweentherectoryandnewconvent.Thirtystudentsenrolledfortheninthgrade.In1932thehigh

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school,thoughaccreditedbytheUniversityofMichigan,wasdiscontinuedduetolackoffundsandaccommodationsinfavorofabetterelementaryschool.Therehadbeenfourgraduatingclasseswithatotalof37graduates.Fr.KrakowskigainedwideprominenceforhispatrioticactivitiesinWorldWarI.Hewasoneofthecity's"FourMinuteMen"andamemberoftheMichiganboardofspeakers.HeencouragedhisschooltotakeanactivepartinthecivicenterprisessuchastheJuniorRedCrossandthepatrioticparades.Hispatrioticactivitiesandconcernforourmeninservicewerenotlimitedtothe"homefront."Hemaintaineddirectcontactwithourservicemendisplayingfatherlyconcern,Christlikeloveandadeepsensitivitytotheirsufferingsandlonelinessbyperiodicallysendinglettersthatcontainedparishnewsfromhomeandencouragement,aswellasunspokenprideforthepatriotismandcourageofhisspiritualsons.Thefol-lowingletterisoneofmanythatreachedSt.StanislausmenonthebattlefrontsduringWorldWarI.

St. Stanislaus Kostka Church Rev.L.P.Krakowski,PastorBayCity,Mich.June18,1918

MyDearSoldierBoy:—

BayCity,yourgoodoldhometownsendsyougreetingsandassurancethatwhenwebadeyoufare-wellwithmoistenedeyes,butabraveheart,wewereproudofyou—andtodaywegloryinyourpresenceatthefront.Werealizeyoursacrifice,wefeelyourinconveniences,weknowthehardshipsyouundergo,thehazardsyoutake,thelifeyouareofferingforthegreatestcausethatmanevershedblood!Andforthesereasonsweloveyou,rememberyou,prayforyou,thatCodmightpreserveyouandsafelyreturnyouinvictory,honorandglory!WehaveyourstaronourserviceflagofSt.Stanislaus;thereareover225oftheseonourserviceflagnow.Wehaveatabletofhonorinourchurch,andyournameisthere—wewillprayforyourwelfarevic-toryandsafereturn.Youmayfeelassured,thatthefolksathomeareinthiswarwithalltheirheartsandsouls—doingallpossibletoassistyouinannihilatingthekaiserandhisgangofbabykillersandravagers.BillionsareflowingintothecoffersofUncleSam.TheGermansympathizersarerapidlyconvertinganddamningthekaiser-Germanyandthecauseitstandsforisthemosthatedthingonearth.Ourcountryisunitedasneverbefore.Socheerupboys—we'rewithyou—yourfathersandmothers—yoursistersandbrothers—andthepriestsarewithyou—getthekaiser—themurdererofcivilization!GermanUBoatsvisitedourAtlanticcoastandtorpedoedabout10smallervessels.Theirintentionwastointimidateus,buttheircowardlyvisitwasaboomerang—ithadtheoppositeeffect—itstimulatedenlistmentswonderfully.Theyalsoattackedthe"Leviathan"with10,000butfailed.Wearenotconcernedaboutourselves,butyou.IwonderhowthePolisharmyinFranceisgettingalong?OhIwishtheyweregiventhechancetoshowtheirdeterminationtowinthiswar.InBayCitythingsaregraduallychanging.Theboysaresteadilyleaving—thegirlsaretakingtheirplaces.Almosteveryfactoryisworkingongovernmentwarjobs.

IgnatiusBudzinskienlistedandwillbeoffsoon.Sowewillbewithoutanorganistagain.Thefirstclassselectsarenowexhausted.WehadanewregistrationJune5th,ofallthosewhocompleted21yearsthisyear.Ourboysareflowinglikeastream,toFranceandEngland—soholdtight.ValentineLepczykdiedyesterday.AnastasiaBukowskimarriedlastWednesday.

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IntheRedCrossparadeourschoolcarriedoffthehonors.June14wasFlagDay,anotherparade—inwhichwetooktheprizeagain.Otherwiseeverythingisasusual—wedonotfeelthewar—exceptthroughwaractivities—nowandthenwegetacripplefromthewar,whotravelsfromplacetoplaceandtellsofyourheroicdeedsoverthere,andtheGermanatrocities.Thesenarrativessteelourheartsandstrengthenourdeterminationtodoourutmosttohelpyouboystowinthiswar.Nowmydearboy,justonemorewordtoyoufromyourpriestathome.Bebrave,bewilling,betrue,befaithful,bekind,especiallytochildrenandwomen,bemindfulofyourselfandespeciallyofyoursoul.Bereadytodie—likeabravesoldierofUncleSam,andatruesoldierofChrist.Rememberyourprayers,don'tforgettheSacraments.I,YourFatherandMotherblessyouandprayforyou—allofBayCity,honorsyou—GodprotectyouandreturnyousafelytoyourdearoldBayCity.Regardsandbestwishesfromall.

YourlovingpastorL.P.Krakowski

TheBlessedVirginMaryShrineintheRectoryyardcommemoratesSt.Stanislaussonswhogavetheirlivesintheserviceofourcountry.Fr.KrakowskidedicatedtheshrineMay30,1923.ThroughouttheUnitedStates,Fr.Krakowskiwasrecognizedasamanofoutstandingattainmentsandprovenleadership.Hetravelledextensivelyandwasfrequentlyinvitedtospeaktolargeor-ganizationsandgatherings.HewastwicehonoredbythegovernmentofPolandforhisactivityinhelpingthePolishcauseduringWorldWarI,throughsponsoredactivitiesandthepurchaseofPolishWarbondsbyparishioners.UnderthedirectionofBishopRhodeheorganizedthePolish-American,"ZjednoczenieKapłanów,"intoonegroupofwhichhewasdirectorforseveralyears.HisassociationandpersonalcontactsrangedfromcorrespondencewithpersonslikePaderewskitohisfamilyofparishionerswhoneverlefthispersonalsolicitudeandprayerfulconcernevenwhenhewasawayfromhome.Duringthe1925HolyYear,Fr.KrakowskitraveledtoRometorequestPapalblessingforhisparish.AtthesametimehewenttoPolandtoextendgreetingsfromthePolesinAmericatothecountryoftheirforefathers.ReturningfromanotherEuropeanpilgrimage,hesentalettertohisparishionerswhileonboardtheS.S.Homeric,datedNov.11,1928.ThefollowingexcerptsreflecthisloveforthepeopleofSt.Stanislaus.

Nov.11,1928OnBoardS.S.HomericMyDearParishioners—IbringyougreetingsfromPolandandthePolishRepublicwhereIvisitedtheShrineofOurLadyatJasnaGoraandWilno...AsIvisitedthetombsofourKingsatKrakowandtheshrinesofournationalpatrons,IwasedifiedbythepietyandthefaithofthePolishpeople...AsIstoodinthepalaceofthekingsinWarsaw,theofficialresidenceofthePolishPresident,IwasdeeplyproudofmyPolishheritagePolandisfreetodayandIprayitwillalwaysbeagreatnation.IpraythateachofyouwillalwaysbeproudofyourPolishheritage...Youareinmyprayersandthoughts—MayGodblessyou—Rev.LadislausKrakowski,

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ItwasaboutthistimethattwodistinctivehistoricaleventshighlightedFatherKrakowski'stermas pastor.Thefirstofthesewastheseventy-fifthweddinganniversaryofMr.andMrs.MichaelŚliwiński,onOct.23,1927thefirstandonlyparishcoupletohaveobservedadiamondweddinganniversary.TheeventwasmarkedbyarenewalofmarriagevowsatSt.StanislausChurchwherefifty-eightmembersofthefamilyattendedthechurchcelebration.Atthetimeoftheirjubilee,Mr.Śliwińskiwas97yearsoldandhiswifewas96.OriginallyfromPoland,theycametoBayCityinthelate1870'satwhichtimeMr.ŚliwińskibecamesextonatSt.StanislausCemetery.Fouryearslater,Mrs.JosephineŚliwińskidiedoneweekbeforeherhundredthbirthday,terminatingseventy-nineyearsofmarriedlife.Mr.Śliwińskidiedthreeyearslaterattheageof103.Fr.KrakowskihadofficiatedatthefuneralsofbothspouseswhowereburiedinSt.Stanislauscemetery.

A Parish FirstShortlyafter,another"first"markedtheparishhistory.ThefirstEnglishsermonwaspreachedinSt.StanislausChurchbyFatherBronislausRoguszkaonEasterSunday,March27,1932.BayCity'sPolishpaper,SZTANDERPOLSKIcitedthisasanhistoricalfirstfortheparishandthatthechurchwascrowdedwithparishionerswhocametohearthefirstEnglishsermonintheirchurch.FatherKrakowskiwasdeeplyinterestedinandpatronizedthethenexisting26parishsocieties;hewaseverconsciousofthespiritualprogressofhispeoplewhichhesoughttodevelopbyseasonalandweeklydevotions.Fr.Krakowski'slongpastoralassignmentcametoanendwhenhewasadmittedtoBayCityMercyHospitalonApril30,1943.HisdeathonJuly15,1943,attheageof67,markedthepassingofawell-loved,powerfully-eloquentandhighly-honoredpriestwhohadservedChristfaithfullyfor42years.TheMostRev.WilliamF.Murphy,D.D.,firstbishopofthethenrecentlycreatedSaginawDiocese,offeredthePontificalRequiemMassonMonday,July19,1943.Inhisfuneralsermon,Rev.AndrewNarloch,pastorofSt.Rita,Saginaw,said,"FatherKrakowskihasbeenafaithfulwarriorforChristduringalltheyearsofhispriesthood."About125priestsandhundredsofparishionerswerepresenttopayfinaltributetotheirfriendandpastor.ThepastorwhoguidedtheparishthroughamostinterestingerawhichmaybecalledbysometodayasthegoldenyearswaslaidtorestatSt.StanislausCemetery.WhendeathclaimedthesixthpastorofSt.Stanislaus,whohaddiedtoChristinbaptism,andnowwascalledtothepromisedgloryofHisResurrection,theparishsufferedaprofoundloss.TheChurchinBayCitylostastrongleaderwhobroughtglorytotheparishandthecommunitywherehehadgivenpracticallythirtyyearsofhislife.HisgreatloveforSt.Stanislaus—theparishheservedanditspeoplehelovedsowellisrecalledfrequentlytodaybythosewhostillrememberhim.

Thathispeopleheldhiminhighesteemandcontinuetodosoisevident.Oneneedonlymentionhisnameorspeakofhisaccomplishments,andtheresponseisalwaysoneofprofoundrespect.Thisreactioncomingeventhirtyyearsafterhisdeath,frompeoplewhorememberhim,speakseloquentlyofthisgreatmanofGod.Msgr.JosephA.LewandowskibecamepastorhereSept.7,1943.Hedidnotcomeasastrangersincehehadservedasadministratorduringthedifficultyearsin1898and1899.Hewasthesev-

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enthpriesttoassumepastoralresponsibilityofleadingthePeopleofGodatSt.Stanislaus.ItwasduringhispastoratethattheparishcelebrateditsDiamondJubileeanddedicatedanewhighschool.

Fr.JosephLewandowskiwasborninBremen,Indiana,October25,1873.HewasthefirstU.S.bornpastortoservetheparish.HisseminarytrainingwasbegunatSt.Jerome's,Kitchener,OntarioandcompletedatSt.FrancisSeminary,Milwaukee.BishopHenryJ.Richterordainedhimtothepriest-hoodatSt.AndrewCathedral,GrandRapids,June29,1896.Duringthemonthsoftheinterdict,heservedasassistantatSt.JameswherehecouldtakecareofthespiritualneedsofSt.Stanislausparishioners.LaterhewastransferredtoSt.Mary's,andcontinuedtoministertotheneedsofBayCity'sPolishspeakingcommunity.AfterassignmentsatPosen,Ludington,andSt.Hyacinth's(ourdaughterparish)hewasgivenpastoralchargeofSt.Stanislaus—aparishquitefamiliartohim.Aparishhighschoolhadbeenspokenoffrequentlyinthepast.FatherKrakowskievenleftabequestinhiswilltohastenthedaywhenthislongtimedreammightbecomeareality.Thedistinctionofpresidingoveritsopeningseemedafittingclimaxtothemorethan56yearsofpriestlyservicerenderedtheChurchbyMsgr.Lewandowski.Itmusthavebeenahappydayforhim,March5,1951whenheturnedthefirstspadefulofearthtobeginconstructionofthehighschoolbuilding.Inthefallofthesameyear,BishopStephenS.Woznicki,thenewbishopoftheSaginawDioceselaidthecornerstone.BythefollowingSept.8,1952,thebuildingwasreadytoreceiveanenrollmentofwellover300students.ThefortieswereyearsofcontinualdevelopmentfortheparishalthoughWorldWar11overshadowedthedailylivesofeveryone.Theserviceflagproudlydisplayedinchurchrecorded1,016parishsonsanddaughtersinthemilitaryservice.Goldstarsnumbered25tomemorializethosewhosacrificedtheirlivesforthecauseoffreedomandindependence.Intributetoallthosefromtheparishwhoansweredthecalltoduty,theSt.StanislausMen'sAthleticClubpresentedthegradeschoolwithaflagpolewhichwasdedicatedbyFr.LewandowskionAug.27,1944.Nineteenhundredforty-fivesawtheendofthewaronboththeEuropeanandPacificfronts.Ourservicemenandwomengradually began returning to their homes and families theyhad left.Wartimeshortages,gasolinerationing,blackouts,scrapdrivesofallkinds,anddefenseworkwereabouttobecomepasthistoryandthereliefthateveryAmericanexperiencedwithpeaceonthehorizonwaslikewisefeltbythepeopleofBayCity.AvaluableadditiontotheparishcomplexwastheacquisitionoftheAthleticFieldin1951bytheAthleticClub.ThefieldissituatedoutsidethecitylimitseastoftheoldMurrayBodyPlant.Todayitisfullydevelopedforbaseball,softballandfootballandranksamongoneofthefinestathleticfacilities inthisarea.Morerecentlyafieldhousewasbuiltprovidingkitchen,clubandmeetingroomsandlockerfacilities.

Diamond Jubilee CelebrationApointofinterestisthatMsgr.Lewandowski,duringwhosepastoratethehighschoolwasopenedremainedatthepastoralhelmtoseetheinitialfreshmenclassreceivetheir12thgradediplomasinJune1953.Theparish'sdiamondjubileecelebrationwasalsoobserved.HeresignedaspastorJune24,1953attheageof80,andtookupresidenceatSt.FrancisHomefortheAgedinSaginawwhereheservedasresidentchaplainuntilFeb.17,1956.HethenretiredtoAlbuquerque,NewMexicowherehelivedwithhissister,Mary,untilhisdeathNov.15,1966attheageof93.Atthe

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timeofhisdeathhewastheseniorpriestofthediocesewhohadservedthepeopleofGodinboththediocesesofGrandRapidsandSaginawforseventyyears.WhentheVeryReverendClementM.Niedzwiecki,eighthpastorofSt.Stanislaus,tookoverasspiritualdirectoroftheSaginawDiocese'slargestparishonJune24,1953,hecametoBayCitywithanestablishedreputationasacapableadministrator.BornonNovember23,1898inGrandRapidswhereheattendedSt.IsidoreSchoolandSt.JosephSeminary,Fr.NiedzwieckireceivedhisBachelorofSacredTheologyfromtheUniversityofMon¬t-realin1925andwasordainedbyBishopEdwardD.KellyonFeb.2,1925,afterreturningtoGrandRapids.FollowingadditionalstudyhelaterreceivedaBachelorofSciencedegreeinchemistryfromtheUniversityofNotreDame.HisfirstassignmentwasatSt.AnneinCadillacforsixmonths,afterwhichhebecameaprofes¬soratSt.JosephSeminary,GrandRapidsuntilJune29,1932,whenhewasnamedpastorofSt.NorbertinMunger.HeservedthereforfifteenyearsbeforetakingoveraspastorofHolyRosaryinSaginaw.Duringhispriestlycareer,FrNiedzwieckiheldanumberofdiocesanposts:diocesanconsultor,synodalexaminer,promoterofjusticeanddefenderofthebondinthematrimonialtribunal.TheeraduringwhichFatherNiedzwieckiadministeredSt.Stanislauswasfardifferentfromthatofanypreviouspastor's.ThehistoricalscenewasmarkedbytheendoftheKoreanconflictandthebeginningoftheVietnamWar.Technologywasadvancingbyleapsandboundsfromatomicpoweredsubmarinestojetairtrans-portation,hydrogenexplosionsandnucleartesting.Medicalresearchwasontheupswingasexpertssearchedforcuresandimprovedtreatmentintheirfightsagainstcancer,influenzaandheartdiseases.Politicalentanglements,Communistsatelliteinvolvements,nucleartestingbans,theironcur¬tain,suborbitalflightsandracialdesegregationweremakingheadlines.Nationally,therewastheassas-sinationofPresidentJohnF.Kennedy,Nov.22,1963andPopePaulVl'svisittoNewYorkCityandhispersonalappealforpeaceattheUnitedNationsonOctober4,1965.

The Sixties: Vatical II, RenewalWithintheChurchtheclimateofchangebegantobefelt.PopeJohnXXIII'sSecondVaticanCouncilbegunonOct.11,1962,inauguratedarenewalamongCatholicswithintheChurch.FatherNied-zwieckitogetherwithhisassistantsinstructedhispeopleandhelpedthemtoadapttotheliturgicalrenewaldecreedbytheChurch.WithPopeJohn'sdeathonJune6,1963,ourparishfamilycontinuedtofollowtheCouncil'sdirectivesunderPopePaulVI,whoconcludedtheCouncilproceedingsonDecember8,1965after168sessions.Onthediocesanlevel,St.Paul'sSeminarywasopenedonSeptember12,1960andFatherNie- dzwieckiwasnamedtotheSeminaryBoard.EarlierhehadbeenappointedtotheBoardofDiocesanConsultorsandgiventhetitleofVeryReverend.ItwasinthissettingthatFatherNiedzwieckiendeavoredtohaveSt.Stanislausparishkeeppacewithcontemporarysocietyandtheneedsofthechurch.Helaboredtodevelopafinanciallysoundparishplantbymeetingtheunpaid$270,000balanceofthehighschooldebtwiththefinalpaymentonMarch17,1958.Atthesametimeheupdatedthe

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highschoolanddidsomerenovationworkonthegradeschoolaswell.ThesameyearonSept.20,FatherNiedzwieckiandMayorJamesTannerusedagiantpairofscis-sorstocutaribbonstretching100yardsacrossthegridiron,officiallyopeningtheathleticcomplexwhichtheAthleticClubprovidedfortheparish.Witharecordenrollmentof380studentsin1954,St.StanislausHighSchoolbecamethefirstClassB.institutioninBayCity'shistory.HavingstartedoutasaclassDinstitutionin1949itmovedintoClassesCandBbecomingoneof190stateschoolsaffiliatedwiththeMichiganHighSchoolAthleticAssociationinthisdivision.Butthehighschool'sexcellenceandFatherNiedzwiecki'sinterestinitwerenotfocusedonlyonitsathleticachievements.ForonDecember6,1957itwasannouncedbyFatherNiedzwieckiandSisterMaryPrudence,Principal,thatSt.StanislausHighSchoolhadreceivedafour-yearaccreditationfromtheNorthCentralAssociationofCollegesandSecondarySchools.TheaccreditationperiodfromJuly1,1957throughJune30,1961wasthelongestextendedbythebureauatthattime.Itwasgivenafterastudyoftheschool'seducationalprogrambyDr.FredG.Stevenson,oftheBureauofSchoolServicesattheUniversityofMichigan.Hecitedtheflexiblecoursesofstudyandvarietyofofferingsprovidingfordifferencesinabilityaswellasinterests,theschoolplant,andthe"excellentattitudeofpupilsandskillandcompetenceoftheteachers."NorthCentralaccreditationwasasourceofprideandacredittotheparish,itspastor,theteachingstaffandstudentbody.Asaregionalaccreditationitwasvoluntarilyappliedfor,thussurpassingminimalstandardssetforschoolsseekingonlystateapproval.FatherNiedzwieckihadanothergoalforSt.StanislausHighSchoolandbeganafundforahighschoolgymnasium.Reminiscentofthe literaryprototype inSt.Paul'sLettertotheCorinthianswherePauldidtheplanting,ApollosthewateringandGodthegrowing,FatherNiedzwieckididnotlivetospendthegymnasiumfundwhichwaseventuallyutilizedbyhissuccessorforotherparishimprovements.BecauseoffailinghealthFatherNiedzwieckiresignedaspastorofSt.StanislausParishonJanuary19,1966andretiredtoGrandRapidsuntilJune1969atwhichtimehetookupresidencewiththeAlexianBrothersinTennessee.FollowingsurgeryandabriefstayatMemorialHospitalChatanooga,Tennessee,hediedthereonJune2,1973.TheMassoftheResurrectionwasofferedonJune6,1973inSt.IsidoreChurch,GrandRapidswithBishopFrancisRehastheprincipalconcelebrant.FatherNiedzwieckiwasburiedfromhishomeparish,St.Isidore,whichcoincidentallywasbuiltbyFatherMarionMatkowskiwhohadprecededFatherNiedzwieck'spastorateatSt.Stanislausmorethanfiftyyearsearlier.AdelegationofBayCitypriestsandfriendsattendedthefuneralservices.FatherNiedzwieckiwaslaidtorestinHolyCrossCemetery,GrandRapids.

"You Expect More . . ."Rev. Kenneth J. Povish became St. Stanislaus Parish's ninth pastor on Thursday, June 16,1966remainingonlyuntil1970whenhewasinstalledasthefifthbishopofthedioceseofCrookston,MinnesotaonSeptember29,1970.

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BornApril19,1924inAlpena,Michigan,FatherPovishattendedparochialandpublicschoolsthere.HisseminarytrainingwascompletedatSt.JosephSeminary,GrandRapids;SacredHeartSeminary,Detroit;andtheCatholicUniversityofAmericawherehereceivedhisMasterofArtsdegree ineducation.Asaseminarian,hewasoneoftheoriginalworkersintheMexicanapostolateorganizedbyFatherJamesA.Hickeyin1947,presentlyBishopofCleveland.HewasassignedtocatecheticalandsocialworkamongthemigrantsintheReeseSt.Elizabethareaforthreesummers.FollowinghisordinationtothepriesthoodJune3,1950,byBishopStephenWoznickiofSaginaw,FatherPovishservedwithMsgr.C.T.Skowrońskitwice,bothatSt.IgnatiusParish,RogersCityandagainatSt.HyacinthParish,BayCity.From1953to1956,FatherPovishwasinterimdirectorofCatholicFamilyServiceofBayCity.AtthistimehebeganwritingtheanswersfortheQuestionBoxfeatureintheCATHOLICWEEKLY,aresponsibilityhemaintainedformorethan16years.HewasnamedpastorofSt.Mary,PortSanilacinSeptember1956andbecamepastorofSt.NorbertParish,MungerJune5,1957,atwhichtimehewasappointedDiocesanDirectoroftheConfrater-nityofChristianDoctrinewithresponsibilityforreligiousinstructionofCatholicstudentsinpublicschools.Hiseffortsweredevotedmostlytotraininglaycatechists.FatherPovishremainedinMungeruntilJune1960whenheassumedfull-timedutiesatSt.PaulSeminary,SaginawwherehewasappointedprofessorofLatinandEnglishandDeanofCollegeStudents,laterbecomingvice-rectoroftheseminary,apositionheheldforfouryears.SincebeinginstalledasninthpastorofSt.Stanislausparish,BayCityin1966hewasappointeddi-ocesanconsultorforathree-yearterm,andinJulyof1967hewaselectedtothenewlyorganizedPriestsSenatetorepresenttheBayDeanery.

WhenFatherPovishbeganhisministryatSt.Stanislausin1966,theparishionerswereobservingthePolishCatholicMillenium-thehistoric1000thanniversaryofPoland'sBaptismin966.Thoughseparatedbyfrontiersandoceans,thePolesofBayCityandSt.StanislausparishjoinedtogetherincelebratingtheoccasionatBayCityCentralAuditorium.Theefforts towardunitywhichPope JohnXXIIIhadsoearnestlyworked forwerebeginning totakerootatthistime.In1966PopePaulandMichaelRamsey,ArchbishopofCanterbury,signedadeclarationpledgingCatholic-Anglicaneffortstowardunity.TheChurchestablishedcommitteestoworkwithotherreligiousbodieswiththesamegoal.ChristiansandJewsalsointensifiedeffortsforbetterunderstanding.IntheBayCityAreathefirstEcumenicalPrayerServicewasheldatVisitationChurch,Jan.22,1967.Thesewereyearsofexperimentationandtravel.ThePopetraveledtoIndia,Africa,AmericaandAsia.ThePresidenttraveledtoMoscowandPeking.PlanetearthtraveledtothemoonwhereNeilArmstrongmadehisgiantleapformankindonJuly20,1969.ThedirectivesofVaticanIIwerecontinuallybeingimplementedwiththelaitytakinganincreasinglymoreactiveroleinthechurchasFatherPovishwithhisassociatesintroducedtheSCHOOLBOARDinSeptember1966whichwouldfunctionasaboardofparisheducationconcernedwithALLtheeducationalworkintheparish:elementary,highschool,publicschoolclassesandadulteducation.

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AdultInquiryClasseswereorganizedtomeettheneedsofadultsinterestedinanexplanationofCatholicteaching.TheChurchCommitteecontinuedtofunctionasthemajordecisionmakingbodyforparishaffairsbutitsactionbecamemorerepresentativeoftotalparishinvolvementasparishionersbegantoelectmembersoftheChurchCommitteetotheirpositions.AlongwithFatherPovishtheCommitteesawthatformerplanstobuildthehighschoolgymnasiumwerenotfeasibleatthistime.Spiralingcosts,generalmaintenanceandnecessaryparishplantrepairsaswellasincreasedparishandschoolstaffsneededtoserveanactiveparishduringinfla-tionarytimesdictatedthiscourseofaction.Consequently,thegymbuildingfundandthe$100,000loanrepaidbythediocesewereusedforrepairsandimprovementsintheconvent,rectoryandgradeschool.AtthistimeSt.StanislausCemeteryBoardwasreactivatedwithrepresentationfromSt.Stanislaus,St.HedwigandSt.Hyacinth'sparishes.OnApril,1967MonsignorJamesA.HickeywasordainedAuxiliaryBishopofSaginaw,aposthehelduntilafterthedeathofBishopStephenWoznicki,December10,1968andtheinstallationofBishopFrancisRehwhobecamethirdBishopofSaginawonFebruary26,1969.OnSunday,January7,1968FatherPovishwaselevatedtotherankofmonsignorduringinvestitureceremoniespresidedatbyBishopWoznickiinSt.StanislausChurch.During1967aninterparochialmergerstudycommitteecomposedofmembersofSt.James,St.JosephandSt.Stanislausschoolboardsconsideredthefeasibilityofconsolidatingthethreeexist-inghighschoolsforthepurposeofprovidingqualitysecondaryeducationforBayCity'sEastSidehighschoolstudents.AformalmergerstudywasmadebytheBureauofSchoolServicesoftheUniversityofMichiganwiththebureau'srationaleandrecommendationsdistributedtoparishionersatallthreechurchesfortheirstudyandvote.OnJanuary21,1968theparishesvotedtomergethethreeschools.Thestudentsfromallschoolscastballotsforthenameofthenewlyconsolidatedhighschooltheywouldbeattendingthefollowingfall.TheirchoicebecameAllSaintswithSt.Stanislaus,theSouthCampusandSt.James,theNorth.St.StanislausHighSchoolhelditslastgraduationonWednesday,June5,1968,when76seniorsreceivedtheirdiplomasata7:00p.m.concelebratedMass.ThecommencementaddresswasgivenbyFr.RichardSeifferly,thefirstgraduatefromthathighschoolbuildingtohavebeenordained.ThefollowingSeptember,929studentsenrolledinthenewAllSaintsHighSchool.

Msgr. Povish Named to Crookston SeeTwosummerslaterMonsignorPovishandFatherZygmundGajspentthreeandahalfweeksinPoland.ShortlyaftertheirreturnMonsignorPovishwasappointedbyPopePaulVI,onJuly28,1970asthefifthbishopofCrookston,Minnesota.ANorthCentralcharteredflightleftTri-CityAirportwithonehundredclergy,friendsandadelegationofSt.Stanislausparishionerstoattendtheepis-copalordinationandinstallationofMsgr.PovishattheCathedraloftheImmaculateConceptioninCrookstononSeptember29.

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TheprincipalconsecratorwasArchbishopLuigiRaimondi,ApostolicDelegatetotheUnitedStates,whowasjoinedbythirtyarchbishopsandbishopsasco-consecratorsattheMass;amongthemwereBishopFrancisRehofSaginawandBishopJamesA.Hickey,RectoroftheNorthAmericanCollege.OnNovember15,St.StanislauswelcomedBishopPovishbackhomeforaconcelebratedMassmarkingthepatronalfeastofSt.Stanislaus.Amonghisassociates,seminarystudentsandparishioners,BishopPovishisknownforhisloyaltytohishometownofAlpena,hispreferenceforFordcars,hisaddictiontoAmericanhistory,hisstrongdislikeofcertainfoodsandhismonotonousaphorism:"Priestsworklikedogs...neverfearwhenPovishisnear...Ipromisedmymother...YouexpectmorefromSt.Stan's."BishopPovishchoseashisepiscopalmotto,"ToAccomplishHisWork."Heiswellrememberedbythemembersofourparishfamilyforhisworkaccomplishedamongus.AfterBishopPovish'sassignmenttotheSeeatCrookstonattheendofJuly,1970,theparishfamilyofSt.Stanislauswasanxiouslyawaitingtheannouncementofitstenthpastor.Theparishbulle-tinindicatedthatanappointmentthroughthediocesanpersonnelboardcouldtakeaslongasamonth.Literally,theappointmentwas"upintheair"andtheannouncementofReverendRichardJozwiakastenthpastorofSt.Stanislauswasactuallymade"intheair"byBishopRehaboardtheNorthCentralcharteredflightenroutetoBishopPovish'sinstallationonSeptember29,1970asheannouncedFatherJozwiak'sappointmentovertheplane'spublicaddresssystem.TheyoungpastorwhocametoserveSt.StanislausonOctober25,1970wasborninSaginawonDecember9,1931,havingattendedSt.RitaandSt.JosephSchoolsthere,St.Mary'sCollege,Or-chardLakeandtheNorthAmericanCollege,Rome.HewasordainedinRomeonDecember20,1959,returningtotheSaginawDioceseinthesummerof1960whenhewasassignedassociatepastoratSt.HyacinthuntilhisassignmentaspastorofSt.Agnes,PinconninginMay1965.WhileatSt.Agnes,FatherJozwiakservedasAssistantDirectorofVocationstoMsgr.Hickey,from1966-67andthenDirectorofVocationsfortheDiocesefrom1967-1968.Concurrentlywithhispastorate,hewasorganizerandDirectoroftheCCDreleasedtimeprograminPinconning.OnOctober14,1969hewasappointedtoserveathree-yeartermasadiocesanconsultor.LaterFatherJozwiakwaselectedtocompleteBishopPovish'sunexpiredtermofofficeonthePriests'SenateasBayDeaneryRepresentative.Subsequently,hewasre-electedforanotherthree-yeartermwhichheispresentlyserving.HeisalsoSpiritualDirectoroftheBayDeaneryLeagueofCatholicWomen,SpiritualDirectoroftheBishopGallagherCircleoftheDaughtersofIsabella,andSpiritualDirectoroftheSt.StephenCouncil(KnightsofColumbus)Auxiliary.

Tenth Pastor: Parish CentennialWhenFatherJozwiaktookoverhisdutiesaspastorofSt.Stanislaus,hecametoaparishfirmlyrootedinthedeepfaithofitsforefathersandstrengthenedbysucceedinggenerationsofparish-ionerswhoenvisionedtheirunityasaparishfamily,proudoftheirheritageandintentongrowingintheireffortsforthehonorandgloryofGod.FatherJozwiak'sarrivalwasmarkedbyawelcomethatoutlinedthestillfurthergrowththattheparishanticipated.ThefirstSundaybulletinafterhisarrivalsaidinpart"WewelcomeyoutoSt.StanislausParishandknowyouwillfindyourcallingasPastortobeamostrewardingone.Weexpectagreatdealfromyou,Father,butontheotherhandwehopetoliveuptowhatyouexpect

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fromus.Together,withthehelpofGod,wewillstrivetobuildacommunityofbelievers.WetheChurch,WethePeopleofGod,WelcomeYou,FatherJozwiak."Justasthealmostone-hundredyearoldparishhadexperiencedchangesovertheyearssohadthesocialandpoliticalclimate.Headlinesblaredouttheabortionandright-to-lifeissues;parochial,anti-wardemonstrationsanddraftevasionweredebated;grossnationalproductfiguresleaped;inflationdoubledandtripled;unemploymentroseandpoliticalscandalsdevastatedthecountry'smorale.Nevertheless,St.StanislausParishionersremainedfirmintheirfaithandcontinuedtoworkwithFr.JozwiakandhisassociatesasthePeopleofGod:"WeareHisPeople,"athemechosen,lovedandemulatedastheyapproachedtheendoftheirfirstonehundredyearsasoneofBayCity'soldestparishes.DuringFatherJozwiak'spastorateheendeavoredtomeetthechallengeheexpressedinhisfirstbulletin,"IpraythatIwillbeabletomeasureuptoyourhighstandardsandagainIaskyourhelpandcooperationandaboveall,yourprayersbecauseasyouknow:'YouExpectMoreatSt.Stan'sandYouGetIt!'"Shortly,in1971twonewdioceseswerecreatedinMichigan.TheDioceseofGaylordwasheadedbyBishopEdmundSzokaandtheDioceseofKalamazoogovernedbyBishopDonovan.AtthistimeSt.StanislausnumberedmorethansixthousandparishionersandwasimplementingBishopReh'sdirectivesfortheestablishmentofparishcouncils.ThealreadyactivechurchcommitteeandschoolboardelectedbytheparishbecamethenucleusofSt.Stanislaus'ParishCouncilwiththeadditionoftheServiceCommissionandLiturgicalCommissiontofollow.Nineteenhundredseventy-threemarkedthefifthcenturyofNicolausCopernicus,Polishscientistandastronomer,aboutwhomPopePaulVIstated"thatCopernicuswasareligiousmanwhojoinedfaithwithscienceinamarvelousandfruitfulrelationship."Historyrepeateditselfasthecooperation,dedicationandsacrificeofthefamiliesofSt.StanislausParishwhichestablishedthechurchahundredyearsagoonceagaincametotheforeasthepa- rishundertheleadershipofFr.Jozwiakandhisassociatesendeavoredtodeepenitsgrowthasaparishfamily.Nostrangertorenovationwork,experiencehehadgainedatSt.Agnes,Fr.Jozwiakwiththeaidofparishsocietiesandtheirfundraisingactivities,continued"OperationRectoryRenovation"in1971andtheparishvolunteerprogramforthegradeschoolin1972,"OperationBrightenUpClassrooms."Theparishionerscontinuedtoworktogetherwiththeirpastorandassociatesnotonly intheirprayerlifebutalsoinpolicyanddecisionmakingastheyembarkeduponthemajorprojectsthatlay ahead as they approached the 1974 centennial year.BeginningwiththeJuly23,1972ParishBulletinwhichannouncedtheunveilingofthearchitect'srenderingoftheproposedrenovation,theentireparishwaskeptinformedoftheactivitiesandprogressoftheChurchCommitteeandtheCentennialSteeringCommittee.Renovationplanscalledforcompletecarpetingofthechurch,newpews,vestingareaneartheGrantSt.entrance,newlightingandsanctuaryappointmentsatanestimatedcostthatnearlyexceededfivetimestheconstructionoftheoriginalbuilding.Somearchitecturalimprovementswerenecessarytoinsurecontinuedsafeuseoftheeight-yearoldedifice;forexample,constructionworkandpierrebrickingonthetowersthathouse

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themassivefourpealbellsdistinctiveofSt.Stanislaus.Likewisethemainaltarhadtobereinforcedwithsteelbeamsandappropriaterepairsmadeinadditiontotheworkofredecoration.Forthisreason,thealtarwaspositionedseveralfeetforwardwiththeuppermostcrossdirectlybelowthecenterofthesanctuaryceilingflankedbythesevenstainedglasswindows.InaSAGINAWNEWSarticle,Saturday,July29,1972,RexM.Reittenbach,architectforthe100thanniversaryremodelingofSt.Stanislaus,saidthat"IntheCatholicChurchthewholeaimistodesignaspacewhereonecancelebratealiturgyveryeasily."ThisconceptandrenovationplansincludedremodelingtoconformtotheliturgicaldirectionsoutlinedbyVaticanII.Therewerevariedimpres-sionsandemotionsasthearchitecturalchangesandinnovationsbegantotakeplace.Bymeansof communication through theParishbulletinandongoing instruction regarding therenovations,that,insomeinstances,representedadeparturefromcenturyoldtraditions,FatherJozwiakandhisCommitteeeffectedasuccessfultransition.Initialrenovationwasdoneonthenorthandsouthbalconies,thechoirbalconyandthetowers;duringwhichtimeinitsone-hundredyearhistory,St.StanislausChurchwasclosedafteritslastMassonJuly1,1973,astheparishionersmovedacrossGrantStreettothegradeschoolgymandmusicroomfordailyandSundayMasseswhiletherebuildingprocesscontinued.Duringtheinterim,funeralsandweddingswereconductedatSt.HyacinthandSt.HedwigChurches.WhilethechurchwasclosedtheparishwasinformedofrenovationprogressviatheParishbulletin;fromdetailsaboutsecondcoatsofpaint,storagecabinetsandsubfloorprepartiontoexplanationsconcerningsignificantliturgicalanddevotionallyrelatedrenovations.ThenewwoodcarvedstatuesoftheHolyFamily,forinstance,wouldservetoremindparishionersoftheirmembershipinGod'sfamilythroughBaptism.Therenovatedbaptismalfontwouldbelo-catedatthefootofthisshrine.AttheSacredHeartShrine,theBible,God'swrittenWord,isenthroned,remindingoneoftheWordmadeFleshandthepresenceofGod'sWordanditssacrednessintheliturgyandinourlives.AshrinewhichhonorsSt.StanislausKostka,iserectedunderthenorthbalcony.Awoodcarvedbasereliefoftheparishpatronisplacedonthegreenmarblerisersandtreadsfromtheformercommunion rail.AsimilarlyconstructedshrinehonoringOurLadyofCzęstochowaisunderthesouthbalconystandingasamemorialtotheFaithofourpioneersandourownPolishheritage.Uponenteringthechurchone'sattentionimmediatelycentersontheRisenChristenshrinedasapartoftherenovatedmainaltar.Thesanctuaryareawasextendedtothefirstpillarsoftheaislevaultswhichbroughtthealtarclosertotheworshippingcongregation.Thesideaislepewswereturnedtofacethealtarofsacrificeforfullerliturgicalparticipation.ThefocalpointoftherenovatedsanctuaryistheAltarofSacrifice.Asolidblackwalnutaltartableweighingnearly1000lbs.restsonamarblebase.ThebronzetabernacleofReposeisfreestandingandofcontemporarydesignrestingonablackwalnutandmarblepedestal.ThechurchdoorswereopenedonFriday,Feb.8,1974whenBishopRehre-dedicatedthe"newchurch"andconcelebratedtheCentennialMassofThanksgivingwithFatherRichardJozwiak,pas-

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tor,associatesandpriestssonsoftheparishaswellaspastorsofSt.Stanislausdaughterparishes.BishopReh'shomilybothreflectedthegratificationoftheparishfamilyandgavetributetoSt.Stanislaus'PeopleofGod."LikethepeopleofSolomon'sdaywhobuilttheirTempletohousetheArkoftheCovenent,youhavegivenyourbest.Youcouldnothavedonebetter,"hesaid,"Thisshouldbeshownasamodelofwhatcanbedonewithanolderchurchinbringingitinharmonywiththemindofthechurchtoday."BishopRehcongratulatedallwhohadacceptedthedirectivesofVaticanIIintherenova-tionofthestructure.HesaidhesawinSt.Stanislausanoldparishwhichisnewinthededicationofitspeople,payingtributetothe"strongfaithofthe200families"whofoundedSt.Stanislausacenturyago.LaterFatherJozwiakwastoreceivealetterfromCardinalJamesKnoxoftheSacredCongregationofDivineWorshipcommendinghimandtheparishfortherestorationofthechurchmakingit"worthyoftherenewedliturgy."FollowingtheFeb.8re-dedicationbySaginaw'sthirdbishop,St.StanislausParishFamilyattendedtheirfirstSundayliturgyintheremodeledchurch.AllMasseswereconcelebratedwiththepastorasprincipalcelebrantandhomilistandFathersChesterTomaszewskiandRobertJ.De-Landconce- lebrating.Impressedwiththerenovatedchurchasavisibleexpressionoftheireffortsandthoseoftheirforefathers,theparishionerswereremindedinFatherJozwiak'shomilythat1974wastrulytheLord'syearoffavorforSt.Stanislaus.Itrepresentednotonlyatimeofrejoicingandatimeofremembering;butmoreimportantly,itpresentedatimeofthankingforthepastandatimeforrenewingthededicationthatbroughtthemtothismomentinhistoryandwouldsustainthemintheyearstocome:thatdedicationsofrequentlyexpressedinthewords"NaChwaleBoska",forthehonorandgloryofGod.Thecentennialyearhadbegunprayerfully;plansforadditionalparishcelebrationswereunderwayandtheyearwasfilledwithactivitiesthatthesepagesattempttoexpressinretrospect.Printedpages,however,mayfailtorecordthespirit,capturetheemotionsorrelivetheexperiencesof1874to1974;theycanonlyattempttorecallwhathashappenedandservetoinspireourparishfamilytocontinuedgrowthandloveinthefamilyofGod."NaChwaleBoska."