St. Stanislaus Kostka Church (Wilmington, Delaware)

St. Stanislaus Kostka Church in Wilmington, Delaware was founded November 23, 1913 as a Roman Catholic Church on the East Side of Wilmington to serve the needs of a growing Polish immigrant community. The Church was a part of the Diocese of Wilmington, until its closure on February 15, 2009.

History

During the late years of the nineteenth century and early twentieth century, many Polish immigrants came to America seeking a better future and way of life. They brought with them their religion, as well as many customs and traditions. Many settled in Wilmington during this time particularly on the West Side of Wilmington in the Hedgeville/Browtown area. They rallied together and formed St. Hedwig Church in the late eighteen hundreds, with the supervision and guidance of Monsignor John S. Gulcz. Monsignor noticed that as the years went on, the Polish population began to expand into the East Side of Wilmington. Industries in shipbuilding and leather works attracted the Polish immigrants. The immigrants faced with a difficulty of not being able to send their children all the way to St. Hedwig Church school across town, and finding it extremely hard to travel for Mass and other various liturgies, pleaded to Monsignor to establish a new parish on the East Side of Wilmington. The original parishioners of the parish had little money, and were faced with the problem of buying a home and raising their children. Most formidable of all, was that they could not worship in their native tongue. For many years before a new church could be built, the Polish immigrants had Mass and liturgical services in the basement of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Church at 6th and Pine streets, which was consecrated by St. John Neumann.

Monsignor Gulcz, realizing the troubles of his flock, obtained the then Bishop John James Joseph Monaghan's permission on November 8, 1912 to build a new Polish church on the East Side of Wilmington. The new church was officially completed and consecrated, with a cornerstone laying on November 23, 1913. Former parishioners and pictures indicated that the event attracted over 1200 people and stretched from the end of East 7th and Church Streets all the way to the railroad bridge adjacent to the Church. Searching through all of the history of the parish, there is no special grant of any large sums of money or donations made in order to build the Church. The first parish collection amounted to $9.10. It seems that the parish was started with a deep faith in God and a sheer determination to establish an edifice and house of prayer that would last for future generations to come. Money had to be collected in small intervals and in almost all cases the parishioners built the church themselves with their own talents, time, and resources. The parish flourished for over 50 years until an urban flee led many of the parishioners to live in the suburbs. Still, the parishioners remained faithful to their home and their parents dream: a Church of their own.

The parish remained active for many years and was an integral part of the Diocese of Wilmington.

The parish, because of a lack of parishioners and a shortage of priests due to the current vocations crisis, closed under the discretion of the Diocese of Wilmington on February 15, 2009. A final closing Mass was celebrated by Bishop Michael Angelo Saltarelli (now deceased) at 9:00 a.m. More than 500 people attended the closing Mass including many priests who Concelebrated and seminarians who served. Many former parishioners and school students returned from as far as Florida to say good-bye to the 96-year-old church. The parish was able in its past time to run a school which was staffed by the Felician Sisters. It was closed in 1972. The parish was instrumental in preserving many of the traditional Polish religious customs including Corpus Christi, the blessing of flowers on the Feast of the Assumption, Gorzkie żale, the blessing of food at Easter (Swieconka) and many others. The parish organized many fund-raising events, had weekly bingo games for many years, Polka dances, food festivals, and established internal Catholic societies for religious devotions including the Holy Rosary and Holy Name Societies. Mayor John E. Babiarz Sr., a former parishioner, went on to become Wilmington's mayor in 1960s. The parish, throughout its many years, was credible for harvesting many religious vocations.

A list of the past Pastors (Priests) of St. Stanislaus Kostka Church, in chronological order:

(All above are now deceased)

Today

The present church, adjacent school, hall, and convent all still stand on the block East 7th, 8th, Locust and Buttonwood Streets in Wilmington, Delaware. These facilities are now home to the Highway Word of Faith Church. A great number of the religious articles and objects in the church were distributed and remain in various churches in the Diocese of Wilmington. Many of St. Stanislaus' former parishioners now attend St. Hedwig Church in Wilmington, Delaware, located on the corner of Linden and South Harrison Streets.

On November 23, 2013 St. Stanislaus Parish would have been 100 years old. Many former parishioners are still living and mostly attend St. Hedwig Church in Wilmington. A special remembrance Mass was celebrated on November 24, 2013 at 9:30 AM at St. Hedwig Church. The Mass was celebrated by Fr. Christopher Coffiey who was recently Ordained a Priest and grew up in the parish.

While the Parish did not make it to 100 years old, it lives on in many peoples hearts and is still a viable memory and part of the Diocese of Wilmington. As the saying in the Polish language goes: "Sto Lat". Which means 100 years more! May the memory of 100 more years live on in people hearts and God always protect us!

Coordinates: 34°20′31″N 77°54′23″W / 34.341833°N 77.906380°W / 34.341833; -77.906380

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