Our History

The History of St. Joseph's Parish

Please note that the written history of our parish is not yet fully developed.  We hope that what has been provided will interest you enough to keep you patient until we have finished these pages.

Bridgeport's Ethnic Background--Late 19th Century

With the new wave of immigration from Europe to the United States in the late 1800s, the Roman Catholic Church of America found itself having to quickly rethink the ways in which it could meet the spiritual needs of so many newcomers from many different countries.  Each ethnic group sought to preserve their respective customs and traditions.  Each also looked to settle in their own ethnic groups in neighborhoods where they could continue using their native language and retain basically the same culture with which they were accustomed.  This also meant that the churches would reflect the same makeup of these neighborhoods.  Very late in the 19th century the neighborhoods in Bridgeport, Connecticut, began looking and sounding more and more like Poland, Czechoslovakia, Greece, Hungary, Denmark and to a lesser extent Syria and Lebanon. (Herbert F. Geller, Ethnic History Series, THE SUNDAY POST; Dolores Liptak, European Immigrants and the Catholic Church of Connecticut, 1870-1920.)

The East Side of Bridgeport was in particular emerging as a multi-ethnic neighborhood.  A Hungarian immigrant priest, Father Joseph Formanek, was assigned in 1889 to St. Mary Roman Catholic Church in the East Side to minister to the Hungarians as well as the Czechs, Slovaks and Poles.  Then in 1891 the multi-ethnic St. John Nepomucene Roman Catholic Church was established.  For a very short time after Father Formanek the newly ordained Father Lucyan Bojnowski served the needs of St. John's Parish.  (He is the eventual monsignor of New Britain infamous among Yankee Polonia.)

By 1899 there were about 1,000 Polish immigrants who organized a Roman Catholic parish in their neighborhood.  The parish church provided a place where they could pray together with their neighbors, hear sermons and receive religious instruction all in the Polish language.  It also became an important center of social and political life for them.  The church also served as headquarters for mutual aid societies.

Thus it was extremely important that the pastors of such ethnic parishes be fluent in the language of those congregations.  They also needed to share the desire and committment of their parishioners for maintaining the respective customs and traditions in those parishes.  Pastors also needed to be sympathetic toward the difficulties their church members experienced as newcomers adjusting to a foreign land that was now their new home.

As history shows, the need for such pastors was especially important among the Poles.  More often than not, it was essential that the Polish congregations be served by Polish priests.  If a bishop did not assign a Polish priest to the liking of a Polish parish, rarely did the matter settle itself without vocal protests.  From the turn of the century to the 1930s Polish Catholics would stage public demonstrations at their churches if the hierarchy was unsympathetic or unresponsive to their protests.

A Membership Speaks Up

Such was the case at Bridgeport's St. Michael the Archangel Roman Catholic Church.  The Rev. Joseph Sulkowski was assigned to the newly formed Polish parish.  He had immigrated from Poland and was well suited for ministry to the Polish community in the East Side.  The parish was organized in December 1899 and soon  after an old Roman Catholic church on Crescent Avenue was purchased.  What was once known as St. Mary's had became the new St. Michael's.  Then in 1907 the present St. Michael the Archangel Roman Catholic Church was built on what is now known today as Pulaski Street.  (Rev. Stephen DiGiovanni, The Catholic Church in Fairfield County, p. 57.)

For reasons that are not clear Bishop Michael Tierney of Hartford transferred Father Sulkowski.  In February 1900 the Bishop assigned the Rev. Witold Becker as pastor of St. Michael's.  It seems that Father Becker was either of dual ancestry (German and Polish) or of German ancestry but from Poland.  Whatever his ethnic background was, it seemed to play a part in the fact that he was not well received by his appointed flock.  Father Sulkowski was very well liked and the people of St. Michael Parish were very disturbed over the transfer of their Polish priest.  By one account nearly half of the parishioners left the church when Father Becker assumed his pastoral duties.

Despite the controversy over his assignment as pastor, Father Becker did garner enough support among the remaining congregants to establish church societies and a Sunday school.  He even brought about the return of some of those who had left the parish.  The parish also managed to make significant headway in decreasing the financial debt they incurred with the purchase of a wooden edifice.(3) Under Father Becker, St. Michael's also purchased land on Sterling Street(eventually renamed Pulaski Street) and secured loans with the intention of building a new church.  However, Father Becker died in July 1906 of ptomaine poisoning at the age of 32.

Meanwhile, it seems that Bishop Tierney began communicating with the Conventual Franciscans of the Polish-American Province of St. Anthony with the idea of procuring their help in supplying Polish clergy for work among the Polish immigrants in the diocese.(4) Therefore, with the unexpected death of Father Becker, the Bishop had a viable plan in place, ready to be implemented, in order to be able to assign Polish priests to St. Michael's parish at that time and in the future.

This meant that the administration of St. Michael's now fell under the responsibility of the Franciscan Province. The Rev. George Glogowski took care of the parish after Father Becker's death in July until the end of the month. The Rev. Felix Baran was named the first Franciscan pastor of St. Michael's in Bridgeport.(5)

The official history of the Roman Catholic Church of Fairfield County states that the Rev. Baran was unable to immediately assume the pastorate in Bridgeport because of pastoral commitments on Long Island. Therefore, he sent the Rev. Leon Wierzynski to administer the parish until he could take pastoral charge.(6)

According to St. Joseph's parish files, the parishioners at St. Michael's were unaware of these arrangements.(7)   Since they considered the parish to be their own, they could not accept the fact that such an important administrative matter was decided upon without seeking any input from parishioners.

Whatever the case may be, and regardless of who was at fault, it is apparent that there was tremendous lack of communication between the congregation and the church hierarchy. This is particularly evident at the time that Father Baran arrived to take pastoral charge of St. Michael's. During the short amount of time that Father Wierzynski spent ministering to the East Side Poles (from August to December, 1906), he had built up a good rapport with the Bridgeport congregation. When Father Baran finally arrived to move into the rectory -- and it seems that he came unannounced , even to Father Wierzynski -- the parish members publicly demonstrated and even physically blocked the departure of Father Wierzynski and the moving in of Father Baran. The determination of the people was so strong that the police were called in to disperse the group and to escort Father Wierzynski away from them. Accounts by protesters tell of police using their billy clubs on some of the people and that the church was locked up to keep them out.(8)

Even with the eventual departure of Father Wierzynski, the unrest continued at the parish. The protests went from the route of public demonstrating to the formal channel of appealing to the proper church authorities. What seemed to be most disturbing to congregants was that in spite of the personal sacrifices they made to first buy a church building and then land for a new church, they had no say in the assignment or removal of parish priests.   They were distressed over the fact that it did not matter to the church hierarchy how generous they were in giving their hard-earned monies that they made during such tough economic times to the support of the church.  They were continually being kept out of the decision-making process concerning important parish administrative matters.

Twice they had been very pleased with priests they received, and both times, against their wishes, the priests were transferred elsewhere.  They were also denied any input regarding the Franciscan Order.  Since it was their welfare that was being discussed, they believed that some consideration should have been given to their opinions on the matter.

The Sunday following the departure of Father Wierzynski brought Father Chodzinski from Buffalo, N.Y.  He was an official of the Franciscans.  Remarks he made during the sermon touched off a disruption at the Mass.   Some parishioners took exception, out loud, to what they believed was a misrepresentation of the causes for the turmoil in the parish.(9)   They believed that he had distorted the true intention of the protesters.

Resentment also mounted over the personal conduct of Father Baran in regard to his actions as pastor.  Parish members confronted him about what they charged was a poor example for a pastor to set.(10)

The dissatisfied parishioners were well organized. They sent a delegation to Hartford to meet with Bishop Tierney to make their appeal known in person. They also sent two delegates, Francis Sniadecki and Peter Kobus, to Washington, D.C., in order to meet with the Apostolic Delegate. After two weeks had passed and there was no indication that Father Wierzynski would be reassigned, a second delegation was sent to the papal representative. This time Sniadecki was accompanied by John Kuszaj and Maria Jarowski.(11) They were told it was the prerogative of the diocesan bishop to assign pastors and "not according to the private interests of individual groups."(12)

The Call Goes Out

Disappointed with the results of all their efforts to gain some voice in the administrative affairs of the parish, the protesters decided at a special meeting in January 1907 to investigate the possibility of forming their own parish. A decision was made to contact the Rev. Francis Hodur in Scranton, Pa., who was leading a movement of independent Polish Catholic parishes known as the Polish National Catholic Church.

At a rented hall on the corner of Willard and Hallet streets, about 500 displeased members of St. Michael's gathered to hear Bishop-elect Francis Hodur on Feb. 18, 1907. He explained the principles of the P.N.C.C. and offered them much hope and encouragement. As reported by the Bridgeport Evening Post he told them that, "They could handle their own money, select the priest they wanted and keep him as long as they desired and all the church property would be in their own name. They would not be under the rule of the Vatican, but in all other aspects of their religion they would be the same."

Realizing that the very things they had sought through their appeals to the Roman Catholic Church were available to them in the Polish National Catholic Church, the body took little time in deciding to organize an independent Polish Catholic parish in Bridgeport. That very night, a committee was appointed to raise funds and to file the necessary documents to establish a parish by the name of St. Joseph's Polish Independent Catholic Church.

After a meeting on Feb. 28, 1907, Sniadecki, Kobus and Anthony Wolski completed a certificate of organization with the state of Connecticut naming the new parish St. Joseph Polish National Church. It was received and filed on March 5, 1907.

The Dream Takes Hold

The first parish committee selected by St. Joseph's parish included: Sniadecki, chairman; Ksawery Januskiewicz, vice chairman; Kobus, secretary; John Tatarzycki, financial secretary; Wolski, treasurer; and Vincent Czerwonka, Marcin Buczer, Joseph Dymkowski, Anthony Dombrowski, Francis Paul and Kuszaj, trustees. The first pastor assigned was the Rev. Anthony Plucinski, who arrived in the spring of 1907.

Plans were made for the construction of a wooden church on a lot that was purchased on California Street overlooking Bridgeport Harbor.  The site included two houses, one which was used by the pastor and the other by the custodian. Also during that first year, six acres were purchased on August 15, 1907, in the Lordship section of Stratford for use as a cemetary. The site now includes the present church complex.

The California Street church was completed in 1909 and was dedicated on July 18. A new pastor, the Rev. Alexander Sosnowski, celebrated the first Holy Mass in the church. By the parish's 25th anniversary, all debts were paid off and the parish had begun to save money to purchase a new site for a larger church to accommodate an increasing membership. Intending to be nearer to the homes of the members, the parish looked to the Upper East Side for relocating.

On July 23, 1929, the parish bought an 11,336-square-foot parcel at the corner of Barnum Avenue and Harriet Street in the Washington area, an excellent location for a new church.

With the Rev. Peter Latas, parishioners voted to begin a $20,000-fundraising campaign to build the new church. In the earlier half of 1935, a building committee was formed and included: Ludwig Dolega, chairman; Joseph Murdzia, secretary; Joseph Stodolink, treasurer; and Frank Lisiak, Alexander Olow, and J. Wlasnowolski, trustees. Construction started soon after and was completed a year later. A new rectory was not constructed until 1937.

A New Home

On July 20, 1936, the Rt. Rev. John Jasinski of Buffalo, N.Y., laid the cornerstone of the new St. Joseph's church. The cost of the brick edifice was $30,000. A new pastor was the spiritual leader for the relocated parish, the Rev. Francis Tolcz. The parish chairman at the time was Vincent Czerwonka and one member who was instrumental in in keeping the building project progressing was Frank Kogut.

A year later, on July 4, the new church was consecrated by the Rt. Rev. John Misiaszek, Bishop of the Central Diocese. As in the case of the laying of the cornerstone, the Eastern Diocese did not yet have a bishop, but an administrator in the Very Rev. Joseph Lesniak of Springfield, Mass. In 1937, the pastor was still Father Tolcz and the parish chairman was Bernard Rainke.

It was not until March 12, 1944 that St. Joseph's parish was able to burn the paid-off mortgage on the church property. Leading the ceremony was the pastor, the Very Rev. Leopold Dabrowski and parish chairman Czerwonka. The bishop of the Eastern Diocese, the Rt. Rev. Joseph Lesniak, was also present.

Only one year after the mortgage burning, St. Joseph's church was rededicated on Oct. 28, 1945 by Bishop Lesniak after a total redecoration of the interior was completed. The parish had new floors laid, new altars and a new confessional built, new pews installed and a ceiling mural of Christ painted, besides having a complete painting and stenciling of the sanctuary and nave interior walls Father Senior Dabrowski was still the pastor and remained as such for a total of 35 years.

Making History

The next major highlights in the history of St. Joseph's were traditional milestones: the celebrations of the 50th and 75th anniversaries of the organization of the parish.

The Golden Jubilee was celebrated on May 5, 1957 The Rt. Rev. Joseph Soltysiak, bishop of the Eastern Diocese, officiated at the afternoon verspers and was the keynote speaker at the banquet in the parish auditorium. Bishop Lesniak preached at the morning High Mass celebrated by the pastor, Father Senior Dabrowski. Chairman of the event was Walter Bisch, vice chairmen were Edward Swiatek and Stanley Wilk, and Helen Krasko and Emil Majkut were co-secretaries. Other jubilee committee members included: Joseph Mikita, Walter and Julia Ruck, Roman Peters, Joseph Swiatek, Bernard Ruck, Blanche Baranowski, Carolyn Seliga, Chester Bielecki, Bernard Sosnoski, Wilhemina Kamionka and Kathryn Bisch.

The Diamond Jubilee was celebrated on Oct. 16, 1982 The Most Rev. Francis Rowinski, Prime Bishop of the P.N.C.C., and the Rt. Rev. Thomas Gnat, bishop of the Eastern Diocese, officiated at the afternoon Mass of thanksgiving and evening banquet. The Rev. Anthony Kopka, installed only months before as pastor, served as the master of ceremonies at both the Mass and the banquet. Chairman of the jubilee committee was Gerald Macionus and other members included: Janet Macionus, Sophia Bezverchy, Isobel Dombrowski, Jean Macionus, Helen Krasko, Elizabeth Lasecki, Julia and Walter Ruck, Martha Dudra, Joseph Kafara, Joan Szymanski, Carol Sakiewicz, Kathryn and Walter Bisch, Joseph Swiatek, Walter Shandrowski, Richard Murdzia, Gertrude Kasper, Joyce Bresh and Charles Zapotoczny.

On The Move Again

On Dec. 30, 1988, St. Joseph parish completed 81 years of existence in the city of Bridgeport. It was decided that the parish should continue to carry on the ministry of Jesus Christ to the Greater Bridgeport area from a new location on Stratford Road in Stratford, Conn.

When the parish first announced that it was planning to relocate out of the East Side of Bridgeport, "The Bridgeport Post" reported the story and told many of the reasons why the decision was made. The one reason that caught the attention of the media was the rate of crime in the parish's neighborhood that was adversely affecting attendance at worship services as well as parish functions. The story was picked up by The Associated Press news wire as well as many regional newspapers and radio stations. Three local television stations also broadcast stories on the proposed move of the parish. The publicity actually helped the parish sell the church and rectory buildings as 10 different congregations contacted the parish in the interest of buying or renting the property.

At the annual parish meeting on Jan. 29, 1989, the parish discussed programs for outreach for new membership. The parish decided that since the membership of the parish was evolving - more than one-quarter of the parishioners were now not Polish - and because it was a 100 percent English-speaking congregation that the Polish image of the parish should start to be de-emphasized. The parish voted to call itself "St. Joseph's of Stratford" and to emphasize the unique form of democratic Catholicism that is an essential principle of the Polish National Catholic Church. The parish also voted to make English the official language of the parish and therefore the language of the liturgy, since so little Polish had been used in the past two decades.

Now that the parish had settled in a new church complex in a new town, the congregation began working even harder to express its Polish National Catholic faith as a universal faith. The faithful always endeavor more to invite all to engage that faith in Christ, less through ethnic appeal, and more through worship and fellowship in the Lord Jesus Christ.

FOOTNOTES:
1. S. DiGiovanni, The Catholic Church in Fairfield County, 1866-1961 (New Canaan, 1987). p. 57.
2. Ibid, p. 59.
3. Ibid
4. Ibid
5. Ibid, p. 60
6. Ibid
7. Paul Fox, The Polish National Catholic Church (Scranton), p. 65.
8. Francis Hodur, ed., Ksiega Pamiatkowa "33" (Scranton, 1930), p. 347
9. Ibid, p. 347-348
10. Francis Hodur, ed., Wydanie Jubileuszowe Na Pamiatke 25-lecia (Scranton, 1922), p. 221
11 Ksiega Pamiatkowa "33", p. 349
12 The Catholic Church in Fairfield County, p. 60.
Note: Information on the history of the parish was compiled from materials contained in the St. Joseph parish archive collection.