A SHORT HISTORY OF ST. MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL PARISH, LYNN, MA

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1 A SHORT HISTORY OF ST. MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL PARISH, LYNN, MA Opr.: Rev. Kazimierz Zastawny, 15 lutego, 1985 Beautiful St. Michael s Church, its school, and its other parish buildings are a tribute to the faith, the industry, and the sacrifices of the Polish immigrants and their descendents who made Lynn their home in the new world and who, with the passage of time, have contributed a great deal to civic, social and cultural life of Lynn. It was a small group of hard working people, faced with a language barrier and sometimes prejudice, who banded together struggling to eke out their existence, united by the common bond of heritage and eke out their existence, united by the and the Catholic Faith, determined to support and one another, they organized into St. Michael the Archangel Society on April 22, The initial step of the new organization was to join the Polish National Alliance of the United States of North America. They received the numerical designation of Lodge 630. The charter member list includes the names of Franciszek Kozecinski, Antoni Toczko, Jozef Spancer, Adam Kalapinski, Piotr Marczak, Michal Glabicki, Franciszek Sztekiel, Leon Staskiewicz, Antoni Piwonski, Wladyslaw Jastrzembski, Wiktor Kochanowski, Jozef Wlodkowski, Pawel Chludzinski, Tomasz Kasprzyk, Marian Szafranski, Maximilian Powicki. Lack of official records precludes a total listing of these pioneers. However, as with other national groups of this city, these people desired to have a church of their own where their native language was spoken and traditional Customs be observed. They requested that a special Mass be conducted for them on Sundays at St. Mary s Church. Father John Chmielinski of South Boston and Father John Czubek of Salem provided spiritual services, which included the sacraments of Matrimony and Baptism and an opportunity for Confession in Polish. At the initiative of the members of St. Michael s Society Lodge 630 P.N.A. permission for a Polish language parish in Lynn was sought from Archbishop John Williams of Boston. Permission was granted. Father Stephen Duda was appointed to assist with the work of organization and building. On February 29, 1904 a lot on Summer St. near Cottage St. was purchased for Three Thousand Dollars to be the site of the new church. Two years later on April 24, 1906 a newly built church was blessed by Archbishop Williams. It was dedicated to St. Michael the Archangel. It was a joyous and memorable event for the Polish people of Lynn. The dedication was attended by numerous Polish Priests and organizations from Salem and nearby areas. The main acclaim belongs to St. Michael s Society, which was instrumental for the church. The society also provided the costs of the dedication from their treasury. The first pastor was Father Stephen Duda, who served only a short time and was transferred to another parish. 1

2 Near the end of 1906 Father Jacob Takuski was appointed Pastor of the new Parish and began his duties energetically. Having captured the hearts of the parishioners he proceeded to expand the growth of the parish. He began a drive for money to build a rectory. It was built in 1909 at a cost of $ 7,500. A four room school, adjacent to the church was purchased from the City of Lynn in 1918 and was placed under the direction of Franciscan Sisters of St. Joseph but as yet there was no convent and the sisters were obliged to commute daily from St. Stanislaus convent in Chelsea. Since winter travel was very difficult, temporary rooms were constructed in the school for Sisters' use. In 1920 a house on Cottage St. was purchased and converted into a convent. The small school soon proved inadequate as the immigration increased the Polish speaking population. In 1923 work was begun on a four room brick building addition at a cost of $ The parish now had an elementary school of eight grades. Having in mind, a way to prevent the loss of Polish Heritage, to improve the well being of individuals and to retain the spirit and culture of the Polish people and to bring up the next generation properly in good ideals and faith. Our pioneers, among them the founders of St. Michael's Parish led by Rev. Takuski came up with the idea of forming a Roman Catholic organization in St. Michael's Parish. On July 21, 1907, these pioneers under Father Takuski's guidance formed the Mutual Benefit Society of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The aim of this society was to serve its members and the Parish. Without doubt, it was the perpetual strain under which Father Takuski carried on his work that shortened his life. At the young age of fifty-four, at the end of twenty-nine fruitful years he passed away on June 6, During those twenty-nine years of Father Takuski s Spiritual leadership, the Parish and all Polish societies participated in many local civic and regional observances. The late William Cardinal O'Connell, being ever solicitous about the good of St. Michael's Parish, Selected a young and energetic Father John A. Dronzek to be the third pastor of St. Michael s Church. Father Dronzek showed himself to be a fearless champion of the church and an outstanding spokesman for the oppressed. His was the important work of knitting the parish together by means of various societies and organizations. It is because of his personal love for music that St. Cecilia s choir excels to this very day. After many months of illness Father Dronzek died on August 20, Father Ladislaus A. Ciesinski was appointed the fourth pastor at St. Michael 1 s by Archbishop (later Cardinal ) Richard J. Cushing Father Ciesinski s administrative skills, well known from his many- years of accomplishment at Sacred Heart Church in Ipswich, were soon recognized in his endeavors in Lynn. The sister s convent, though at one time somewhat enlarged, was considered completely inadequate. The new pastor undertook plans with the aid of The United Polish Organizations of Lynn affiliated with 2

3 the parish to purchase a six family house on Morris St. near the Church property, which was converted into a comfortable residence for the Franciscan Sisters. The St. Michael s Holy Name Society was organized by Father Ciesinski and it became a vital force in serving the needs of the church. Under Father Ciesinski's administration, new siding on the school, church and rectory was installed and the painting of the church interior helped to renew the appearance of parish properties. Stained glass was installed in the upper windows of the church and new chandeliers were hung. All of this was accomplished in time for the observance of the Golden Jubilee of the parish in 1956, which included a three day celebration of a Pontifical Mass by Archbishop Cushing, a Golden Jubilee Ball and Banquet. In 1971 Father Ciesinski retired because of illness and lather Chester J. Stempkowski became the fifth pastor in January 1971 Father Ciesinski Passed away on September 2, Father Stempkowski was truly a spiritual leader of his flock. Though suffering from ill health for most of his pastorate he devoted himself physically to the maintenance of the parish plant. Despite financial difficulties during the 70 s, he was determined to keep the doors of St. Michael's school open. The problem became more pronounced when less religious staffing was available and lay teachers had to be employed. The deceasing pupil enrollment began to include fifty percent of non-parishioners, with sizable parish subsidy needed for the schools operation. Father Stempkowski died November 14, Humberto Cardinal Medeiros requested Father Ferdinand E. Slejzer to apply for retirement from the Chaplain Corps, U. S. Navy in order to assume duties as sixth pastor of St. Michael's Parish. Appointed as of February 15, 1979 Father Slejzer arrived in time for Holy Week. Since he had been an assistant to Father Ciesinski from 1959 to 1962 it was his "second coming 11. The parishioners received him enthusiastically. At the time of Father Slejzer's arrival the parish properties, particularly the church, were in need of renovation. When plans began to formulate for the renovation of the church in the Diamond Jubilee Year, the response of the parishioners and the various societies, clubs and organizations in the parish was immediate and very generous. The renovation was completed in time for the 75-th Anniversary celebration on September 27, 1981 Over twenty five priests from Polish-American parishes joined with Humberto Cardinal Medeiros to mark the happy occasion. But there was a sad note in the jubilee year. A special committee of parishioners was formed to evaluate St. Michael's Parochial School, they studied the academic, religious and financial structure of the educational facility for two years. Its report of decreasing enrollment (less than 100 registrants for ), increasing financial burden on the parish and shrinking parishioner enrollment (the school was becoming regional in tone) caused the Archdiocese to decide on its closing in June of

4 St. Michael s school, thanks to the dedication of the Franciscan Sisters, made a contribution to the Parish and the Polish-American community that is beyond measure. Especially in the days when Polish language, history and culture were part of the curriculum, the school engendered into the youth a Polish spirit and a parish spirit. Some years ago when the decision was made to cease the Polish flavor in the school atmosphere, the religious benefit remained, but the Polish and parish connection began to vanish. Yet, hundreds of Americans of Polish parents in Lynn will forever remember St. Michael's school. Presently, a school of Religious Instruction is conducted for public school children on Sundays, Polish Language classes are held Saturday mornings. Just when everything seemed to have been accomplished in the renovation and the Diamond Jubilee celebration a tragedy struck. Saturday February 20-th 1982 the parish rectory went up in a roaring fire caused by a boiler explosion. Since coming to St. Michaels Father Slejzer has worked with unlimited energy on behalf of the Polish Relief effort and at the same time renovating parish property, also planning for the Diamond Jubilee of the parish. During this entire period there was no time for vacations - ironically when he finally felt that he could get away for a short week of repose, he returned to see the disaster of the rectory fire and another additional burden on his shoulders. Father Slejzer and his associate Rev. Kazimierz Zastawny were particularly hard hit by this disaster, since most of their personal belongings were stored in the 70 th year old rectory and were totally destroyed. All the Polish organizations, the parishioners individually and many friends of the parish rallied around and underscored their resilience in the face of new challenges. The past history of this parish (which contributed $175,000 towards the renovation of the church and in recent times has given solid support to the campaign of Relief for Poland ) is the best indication that a new rectory will be built. A restored rectory with improvements and added rooms plus a garage was opened and dedicated on Saturday July 23, Father Slejzer began to fail in health during the latter part of and requested the Archbishop for retirement as Pastor for health reasons. Archbishop Bernard F. Law granted it and appointed Rev. Kazimierz Zastawny from Associate Pastor, St. Michael Parish, Lynn to Administrator, St. Michael Parish, Lynn effective November 13, 198b. Father Slejzer remains at St. Michaels as Senior Priest in residence. Under the devoted leadership of all of these priests and nuns, the people of St. Michaels not only enriched the religious life of the city, but wisely preserved the heritage and culture of their native land for the benefit of their children and their community. 4

5 Added Information : (Through 1956 ) * * * * * * * VOCATIONS FROM PARISH Rev. Henry A. Ustaszewski Rev. Gregory M. Piekos Rev. Thaddeus Ustaszewski, O. S. B. Sister Mary Angelika Sister Mary Armelia Sister Mary Henryka Sister Mary Floretta Sister Mary Eteldreda Sister Mary Zefiryna Sister Mary Felicya Helen Glabicka Janina Doda Helen Opiechowska Sophie Chludzinska Helen Doda Helen Kuc Helen Szymanowska 5