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| Address: | 551 Ridge Road Lackawanna, New York 14218 |
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| Telephone: | 716-822-3470 | |
| Fax: | 716-822-2412 | |
| Founded: | 1903 | |
| Pastor: | Rev. Lawrence Cobel | |
| Mass Schedule: | Saturdays 4 PM; Sundays 8 AM & 11 AM | |
| Parish census: | 550 Families | |
| School: | Parish school closed in 1980. | |
| Year Built: | 1931 | |
| Style: | Unknown |
The heart of the steel making industry in Western New York has always been Lackawanna, N.Y. For this reason, the city has drawn to itself immigrants from all parts of the world, a mini League of Nations. The Poles began settling this town formerly known as West Seneca, just before the turn of the century, and by 1903 had set up a committee to petition the Bishop of Buffalo for a priest and the right to form a separate Polish parish. The Rev. Dr. Piotr Szulc again was called upon by the Diocese to organize still another Polish parish.
Within months of formation, St. Barbara's committee along with Pastor Szulc purchased land on Caldwell Street and plans were drawn up to construct a combination church/school complex. In the spring of 1905, the finished building was blessed by Bishop Colton. That school year the Felician Sisters arrived to take charge of the students of St. Barbara's. In 1909, the State of New York incorporated the City of Lackawanna as a separate entity.
A year later, St. Barbara's Parish was divided to accommodate those Poles living over the bridge, with the formation of St. Hyacinth Parish. Under the direction of Rev. Franciszek Radziszewski, pastor for eighteen years, plans were made to celebrate the parish's silver anniversary and then build a new house of worship, being completed in 1931.
The parish community prospered and was a focal point for Polish religious, patriotic and charitable events. A viable Polish shopping and professional strip grew up around the church making it a convenient area to live. With the decline in the steel industry happening in the 1970s, the fate of the parish changed.
The school was forced to close in 1980 as young families were moving away leaving their parents and grandparents to support the church. Presently, Fr. Lawrence Cobel serves as the parish administrator and has not been appointed pastor. The magnificent yellow brick edifice stands as a lasting memory of the days gone by.