History of St. John Cantius Parish, East Chicago, IN. Parish Beginnings

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1 History of St. John Cantius Parish, East Chicago, IN. Diamond Jubilee St. John Cantius Church, East Chicago, IN., p CAP at Orchard Lake. Parish Beginnings The beginning of the twentieth century brought industry and related enterprises to a section of Indiana destined to become Indiana Harbor. Soon people from many parts of the United States followed, seeking work in the rapidly-growing area. The great majority of these new residents were Poles, some of whom had not much earlier immigrated to America from their Polish homeland. The early homes of these new residents were modest wooden structures built on scattered knolls surrounded by swamps and bulrushes. The spiritual yearning of these new residents led them to the nearby towns of East Chicago and Whiting for their religious exercises, where the Polish parishes of St. Stanislaus and St. Adalbert, respectively, were already established. But these weekly pilgrimages by foot became tiresome, and the talk of forming some committee for the purpose of organizing a local Polish parish soon saw action. The first meeting in this cause was held in the home of one of the pioneer settlers, Wawrzyniec Wegrzyn, and included Messrs. Golich, Dolozycki, Grzankowski, Langowski, Stasiewicz, Grabski, Kielbasa, Jeleniecki, Sadowski, Janik, Golawski, Prusiecki, and Woszczynski. At that meeting Wegrzyn, Dolozycki, and Langowski were authorized to seek a suitable location for the parish, and it was they who selected the site at 139th and Main Streets. They contracted for five parcels of land with two additional parcels having been donated by the Land Co. The total obligation amounted to $900, with convenient monthly payments of $5. In the absence of any ready funds, the committee borrowed $25 from Stephen Szerpatowski to bind the deal. Three house-to-house canvasses netted a total of $ The first parish committee, comprised of Messrs. Rakowski, Wegrzyn, Grzankowski, Dolozycki, Langowski, Stasiewicz, and Gutowski, solved the problem of the contract payments by agreeing upon a self-imposed assessment for each committee member for a period of seven months. Gutowski and Dolozycki secured the approval of Father Kubacki, pastor of St. Stanislaus Parish in East Chicago, to canvass his parishioners for donations, which netted a total of $ A similar collection, made with the approval of Father Frank Wojtalewicz, among his parishioners at Immaculate Conception Parish in South Chicago, netted the amount of $60. Parishioners from Catholic churches in Lemont, IL, Michigan City, South Bend, and Whiting also contributed to canvassed funds. 1

2 The decision to finally build a church was made in Father Kubacki advised the parish committee of the necessary qualifications and preparations, and in June, 1904, brought news of the approbation of Bishop Herman Alerding of the Diocese of Fort Wayne. Formal organization was therefore concluded, and the Reverend P. Budnik of St. Adalbert Parish in Whiting was named the spiritual guardian of the new St. John Cantius Parish, as the Whiting parish was numerically smaller than St. Stanislaus in East Chicago. Construction Years: The Dream Comes True Preparations for the construction of the church were finalized in late The original project of the frame structure was abandoned, and with the advice of Father Budnik, the edifice was built of cement blocks and completed in the spring of The first Mass was celebrated in March, 1905, with Father Anthony A. Stachowiak as celebrant and first resident pastor. In the absence of a rectory, Father Stachowiak lived in two rooms of the school building, with the two remaining rooms accommodating the school children. The Franciscan Sisters of Blessed Kunegunda, a Polish-American teaching community founded not much earlier than the beginnings of the parish, were engaged to serve as the teaching staff for St. John Cantius Parish School in In 1907, Father Stachowiak proposed the construction of a frame rectory, which was built at a cost of $4,000. This building still stands today, having been enlarged, brick-veneered, and renovated. Until June, 1979, it housed the Sisters who served as the teaching staff at the parish school. In the course of tne ensuing five years ( ), the rectory was built at a cost of $5,500. The church was also remodeled and several school rooms were added to the growing school. Ambitious plans for a larger and more fitting church were launched in 1917, but owing to conditions prevalent during World War I, only the substructure was completed and placed under roof with a financial outlay of some $45,000. This church building remains our parish church today. It was also Father Stachowiak's final accomplishment crowning the twenty years as pas tor of St. John Cantius, for he died on May 25, The Reverend Theofil F. Chemma succeeded him as pastor from 1925 to Plans for a new school building and extensive remodeling of the parish buildings were soon formulated. In 1928 the work was completed at a cost exceeding $200,000. Although the parishioners were justifiably proud of their school building and entire parish plant, they felt the financial and economic burden long after the onslaught of the Great Depression in The Depression Years The Reverend Michael A. Petzold succeeded Father Chemma as pastor on April 6, He was no stranger to St. John Cantius, for he had earlier served as an assistant at the parish. Coming to the parish in 1932, he was destined to spend the remainder of his priestly life, some 33 years, in service to St. John Cantius. Father Petzold faced serious economic problems upon his arrival as pastor. The parish indebtedness had reached a staggering $278,000 by The interest alone exceeded the parishioners' ability to pay, to say nothing of the huge principal sum. The tremendous mortgage obligations created seemingly impossible demands for the parish and 2

3 the pastor caught in the darkest years of the depression. But Father Petzold proved to be a pastor of exceptional initiative and wise experience in conveying a spirit of frugality and savings among the parishioners. With his characteristic fervor, he organized the Social Club and the Ushers Club, two groups which took as their aim and purpose the giving of every aid possible to the pastor in parochial action, and particularly the ways and means of liquidating the parish indebtedness. Since Sunday collections were sorely inadequate, it was necessary to organize bazaars, carnivals, picnics, bingo, socials, and any such parish project that would afford suitable entertainment for parishioners while arousing their charitable contributions for the benefit of the mortgage fund. These organizations continue today, following much the same aim and purpose as they did in their beginnings. The Second World War; The Post-War Years; The Golden Jubilee The good, sensible, and prudent administration of Father Petzold, coupled with his even greater responsibility for the guidance and care of the parishioners' spiritual needs saw the parish safely out of the depression years. The Polish parishioners became exemplary American citizens and in turn reared new generations of American citizens devoted to God, the tradition and faith of the American forefathers, and the tradition and faith of their Polish ancestral land. During the years of the Second World War the parishioners responded to Father Petzold's appeal for help to those Poles forced to flee their homeland. Packages were sent to polish prisoners of war. Women of the parish assisted in the manual operations of the Red Cross, and collected and processed clothing for shipment wherever the need existed. Large sums were collected for the Polish Relief Council and the Polish Congress. This humanitarian effort matched the contribution many young men of the parish made in the armed forces of the United States. Polish immigrants came to Indiana Harbor in great numbers during the post-war years, taking advantage of the favorable employment opportunities in area industries. Many made their homes among St. John Cantius parishioners, and found a welcome in the parish and in the friendly advice of Father Petzold. United and organized effort led by Father Petzold and generously supported by his assistants and the parishioners met with admirable results. The Golden Jubilee celebration in 1955 saw the parish not only freed of the huge indebtedness, but the proud possessor of a cash reserve in excess of $200,000. By the time of the Golden Jubilee, the parish had grown from the original 26 families to a roster of 800 families. The parishioners could look with pride at their parish facilities and at the Polish Americans who had served the United States in the armed forces, who had distinguished themselves in politics, the professions, business and commerce, and who had become the religious vocations to the priesthood, brotherhood, and sisterhood from the parish. 3

4 The Diocese of Gary; Vatican II; The Consolidated School In February, 1957, the new Diocese of Gary was formed, with the Most Rev. Andrew G. Grutka as the first Bishop. In March, 1959, Rev. Michael A. Petzold was elevated to the rank of Monsignor. Under his leadership, plans to build a new church on the present foundation were once again discussed. An engineering firm that evaluated the structure found the foundation solid enough to support a larger church. Architectural plans and specifications were sent to firms for bidding. Bids were submitted in the amount of $400,000. At that time the cash reserve on hand was only $200,000. The Parish Committee, consisting of Messrs. John Nowicki, Edward Koziatek, Stephan Boniecki, Frank Kusek, and Tom Kielbasa, with the approval of Msgr. Petzold, decided to postpone the project for a year in order to build a cash reserve. In the meantime the failing health and death of Msgr. Petzold on August 21, 1965, made it necessary to postpone the building plans indefinitely. Following the death of Msgr. Petzold, Bishop Grutka appointed Father Anthony Balczun administrator of the parish on August 28, Father Balczun soon began extensive renovations in the church. Some pews were removed and comfortably padded kneelers were installed. The church was repainted, the sacristy floor tiled, and the altars were redesigned to conform to the reforms of the Second Vatican Council. With the continued drastic decline in Catholic School enrollment in Indiana Harbor, Bishop Grutka called a meeting of all parish pastors and parish councils to discuss a solution to the problem. The Bishop proposed a consolidation of all Catholic elementary schools and the remodeling of the St. John Cantius Parish School building to make possible the enrollment of pupils from the Catholic schools to be closed. One half of the cost for the extensive remodeling was absorbed by the diocese and the other half by St. John Cantius Parish. Father Balczun submitted the Bishop's proposal at a parish meeting and it was accepted. The Indiana Harbor Catholic Elementary School was formed in 1967 with the Rev. George Kashmer as the first principal. Plans to build a new church outside the present area were considered. A meeting with city officials was held and the only available land at that time was in the Prairie Park Section, which was unacceptable. In 1967 Father Balczun was transferred to St. Casimir Parish in Hammond. The Rev. Stanley Dominik was appointed to succeed him. During Father Dominik's tenure, the rectory kitchen was remodeled and a garage for the priests' and sisters' cars was built. In 1968 Father Dominik was transferred to St. Stanislaus Parish in Michigan City, and the Rev. Michael Tomaszewski was appointed pastor of St. John Cantius. Father Tomaszewski also assumed the post of administrator for St. Joseph Parish in the Calumet area in Most of the major improvements visible in our church today are the result of the carefully planned and skillfully executed beautification and modernization ideas of Father Tomaszewski. He worked hard and diligently contacting parishioners before any improvement was made. He wanted all parishioners to feel that this was their project. To better facilitate the needs of the parish, the Parish Committee was increased to include the following members: Messrs. Edward Koziatek, Frank Kusek, Joseph Walczak, John Szymoniak, 4

5 Raymond Prusiecki, Max Voyt, Ben Wozniak, Walter Jasiński, Chester Łaciński, Stanley Cybul, Walter Raczkowski, Leonard Balon, and Vincent Kucharski. The committee, with the approval of Father Tomaszewski, decided on further necessary repairs and improvements, including a new roof on the church, the removal of all wooden floors in the sanctuary and sacristy and their replacement with concrete floors. The entire church was carpeted. Stainedglass windows plus overhanging chandeliertype light fixtures were installed. The sanctuary was panelled and the electrical wiring system was updated. The church bells were synchronized and a chime system was installed. A wroughtiron fence was placed around the church property, the grounds were sodded and shrubbery planted. The stained-glass windows, chandelier lights, marble communion tables, celebrants' chairs and many other articles were donated by individual parishioners. The Present; The Diamond Jubilee In September, 1977, Bishop Grutka assigned Father Tomaszewski to pursue further studies in Canon Law in Rome. The Rev. Leonard Kronkowski was appointed temporary administrator of the parish. In October, Father Kronkowski was appointed pastor of St. John Canty Parish in Rolling Prairie, Indiana, and the Rev. Vladimir Janeczek, pastor of St. John Canty, became the pastor of St. John Cantius. Father Val, as we fondly call him, immediately saw the need to appeal to the parishioners' generosity once again to remodel and modernize the rectory. The response was so gratifying that within a year the work was completed. An open house of the rectory was held October 29, 1978, for parishioners to view the improvements. The church committee was replaced in 1978 by a Parish Council of elected members. The newlyelected Parish Council members were installed on September 10, Elected to serve three-year terms were John Szymoniak, Joseph Walczak, and Mrs. Dorothy Slamkowski. Elected to serve two-year terms were Frank Kusek, Casimir Gadzala, and Mrs. Sylvia Matusik. Serving for one-year terms are Walter Gargas, Mrs. Bernice Kluga, and Miss Angeline Walczak. In June, 1979, the Franciscan Sisters of Chicago (formerly the Franciscan Sisters of Blessed Kunegunda), who had served the parish and taught the children for so many years, were recalled by their religious community. Our gratitude and best wishes went with them for their years of sacrifice and dedicated service to our parish. Over the years since the Golden Jubilee the ethnic picture of the parish has changed, as the neighborhood surrounding the parish has changed. This Diamond Jubilee year finds us with much the same spirit as our forefathers and parish founders. We have not lessened our commitment to a closer union as a parish family, and continue to support one another for the benefit of our parish and the salvation of our souls. This continues as the fundamental objective of St. John Cantius Parish, carried on undimmed by the joys or the hardships of the last seventy-five years. HISTORY COMMITTEE: Joseph J. Walczak Dorothy Slamkowski Jerry Koziatek Editor Thomas J. Golden 5