St. Josaphat
Cheektowaga, New York

Back to PGSNYS Home Page Polish Parishes in WNY Index
Address: 20 Peoria Avenue
Cheektowaga, New York 14206
St. Josaphat
Telephone: 716-893-1086
Fax: 716-893-1099
Founded: Oct 1905
Pastor: Rev. Theodore Rog
Mass Schedule: Sat 4 PM ; Sundays 7:30 AM, 9 AM (Polish), 10:30 and noon
Parish census: 1862 Families
School: 25 Mansion Street
Year Built: 1952
Style:  

History

By the year 1905, the Polish community was expanding eastward. The Felician Sisters had established their Motherhouse along William Street in Cheektowaga, N.Y. Realizing the need for a church in this neighborhood, Bishop Colton, appointed the Rev. Andrzej Garstka to found a new parish. Serving only a few months, Fr. Garstka was reassigned to Lackawanna, N.Y., and Rev. Ludwik Leichert, chaplain to the Felician Sisters, served as pastor.

It was not until the Rev Wladyslaw Hordych became pastor that the parish began to move ahead. In 1906, he purchased land with a building to serve as the parish school, which is now the site of the Theodore Roosevelt School on William St. The small community continued to attend Mass in the chapel the Motherhouse until the following year, when on the land purchased, the parish church/school combination building was erected. In the last year of his pastorate, the Rev. Karol Mioduszewski was faced with a terrible disaster, a fire destroyed the parish building.

Plans were immediately drawn up to rebuild the facility. His successor, Rev. Stanislaw Kroczek, who served for the next 25 years, saw the complete restoration of the church/school building. This building is still in use today, as the site for parish societies to hold their functions. Because of Rev. Kroczek's failing health, the Bishop appointed the Rev. Francis Wlodarczak administrator of the parish. In 1953 Fr. Wlodarczak was appointed pastor. Under his guidance, a new parish church and school were erected and the improvements needed around the property in general were made. Following Fr. Wlodarczak's pastorate, Rev. Max Pancekiewicz was assigned to St Josaphat. Presently Rev. Theodore Rog is serving as pastor.


This Page was Last Modified - September 11th, 1999
Send comments and suggestions to webmaster@pgsnys.org