Our Lady of Czestochowa,
Cheektowaga, New York

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Address: 2158 Clinton Street
Cheektowaga, N.Y. 14206
Our Lady of Czestochowa, Cheektowaga, New York
Telephone: 716 822-5590
Founded: Nov 1922
Pastor: Rev. Harry Szczesniak
Mass Schedule: Saturdays 4 PM; Sundays 8 , 9:30 (Polish) 11 AM
Parish census: 615 Families
School: 2160 Clinton St.
Sister M. Virginia Tarnicki
Year Built: 1973
Style: Modern

History

The last ethnic or national parish organized for the Poles in the Diocese of Buffalo, was Our Lady of Czestochowa. This parish located along Clinton Street, just over the Buffalo Cheektowaga border, was an outgrowth of the economic boom in the manufacturing industry located in the far eastside of the city.

St. Casimir Parish established in 1890 served the Polish speaking residents while St. Bernard, founded in 1906, served the German population. In 1922, twenty two families formed a committee to explore the possibility of establishing a new parish. The Rev. Franciszek Guzy was called upon to assist them. They presented a petition to the bishop; it was approved and Fr. Guzy assigned as first pastor. He immediately went about to purchase land for the future church, nine lots were secured at Clinton and Willowlawn Pkwy with an existing building. The first chapel was readied and opened in 1923 with a school organized later that year under the guidance of the Felician Sisters.

Because of increasing numbers in the parish, plans had to be made for a new church and school. Fr Guzy broke ground for a combination church/school in 1928 with occupation taking place in 1929. The successor to Fr. Guzy was the popular Rev. Wincenty Sokolowski, who was responsible for the new convent for the Sisters and a new rectory. He was also raised to the rank of Monsignor for his dedicated work in the church.

Under the pastorate of Rev. John Suplicki, D.D., a new church was constructed. Ground breaking took place during the 50th anniversary year, 1972, with completion in April 1973. The old church area was renovated into additional classroom space. Since 1993 the Rev. Harry Szczesniak has been pastor.


This Page was Last Modified - February 28th, 2000
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