Pre-1900: Chronicles show steady arrival and settlement of Polish immigrants in the area. St. Joseph's Church - the first Polish parish in Passaic was established in 1892.
1908: A thought of organizing a second Polish Roman Catholic Parish in Passaic arose in the minds of the people. At this time immigration from Poland was at its highest and St. Joseph’s Church was too small to accommodate all the faithful.
1913: This thought began to materialize, when Bishop O'Connor directed Reverend Monsignor Ignatius Szudrowicz to organize a new parish to be named Holy Rosary. On his resignation, Reverend Julius Manteuffel was appointed administrator.
1918: The boundaries of Holy Rosary Parish were outlined and Reverend Stanislaus Kruczek, from St. Michael's Church in Lyndhurst, was appointed the first pastor. He served twenty-three years in that capacity. Father Kruczek rented a hall for a temporary Chapel, which was blessed by Monsignor James Kieran on Sunday, March 5th. Soon after, Father Kruczek obtained a loan from a local bank and started work on a new combination building which would contain a church and a parish school.
1919: Soon after Reverend Father Kruczek had been appointed Rector, he directed Frederick J. Schwarz, a noted architect of the city of Paterson, to design and draw the plans of the present church edifice and rectory. In the fall, Bishop O’Connor blessed the basement that would be used as a temporary chapel. This joyful moment for the people and the new place of worship was blessed with a two week retreat.
1920: The Church building was opened on February 1. It would contain a church with seating for 1,000 and a parish school of 17 classrooms. Father Kruczek also acquired four lots adjoining the church and began work on a rectory.
1921: The Church building was dedicated on January 2 by Most Reverend Archbishop Felix Guerra of Santiago, Cuba, who was visiting the Pastor at the time. That year the membership of the Holy Rosary Roman Catholic Church counted for over seven thousand faithful parishioners, majority of Polish ancestry.
1922: Year of both spiritual joy and parish tragedy. The first Mass of Father Francis Kowalczyk, a parish son, took place on Sunday June 11 in the new church. The next day a fire broke in the neighboring house and ravaged the new church building and damaged the school.
1923: With concentrated effort and determination the building was restored. Bishop Ernest Coppo from Kimberley (Western Australia) had re-dedicated the church on April 8th. On October 4th, the new electric organ was blessed.
1926: An unforgettable visit of Archbishop John F. Cieplak took place in this year. He chose Holy Rosary Rectory as his headquarters and, sadly he died in July. Parishioners paid their last respects at the solemn funeral.
1927: In this year the last building, the sisters’ convent, was finished and solemnly blessed. With this, the work of organizing and building was completed. Felician Sisters were engaged to teach the parish children, and the enrollment quickly increased.
1928: All joined in the happy occasion of the ordination of another parish son, Father Joseph Dziewic, whose First Mass was said in Holy Rosary on June 3rd.
1929: The parish school was flourishing. At that time over 1,000 childrenwere educated in the parish. It was a wonderful tribute to the fine and glorious work of the Felician Sisters who have helped in the building of this great parish.
1930: The years after the Tenth Anniversary were marked by the well-remembered “Depression Years.” Banks were closed, and people lost their jobs. The Parish immediately organized a Committee to help the needy parishioners. During Christmas of 1930, the committee gave away hundreds of baskets of food, fuel, and clothes.
1932: Distribution of food, clothing and efforts to obtain employment for the needy of the parish were part of the daily program during those years. On May 23, the parish gave 300 bags of flour to those in need. The parish societies purchased outfits for the poor children receiving their first Holy Communion.
1934: The great Polish hero and patriot, General Joseph Haller, paid a visit to the parish. The parish once again rejoiced in the ordination of one of its own, Father John Zak, whose First Mass was said in Holy Rosary on May 27th.
1936: On August 2nd Canon Kruczek, attending the Regiment Feast in Poznan, was awarded with a medal of "Polonia Restituta." He also blessed the Polish Army Banner, donated by Holy Rosary Parish to the Seventh Regiment of "Strzelcow Konnych" in Poznan.
1937: On December 9th, the Diocese of Paterson was established by Pope Pius XI, and the Most Reverend Bishop Thomas McLaughlin was appointed its first spiritual shepherd.
1938: This year marked the Twentieth Anniversary of the parish. The celebration took place in a church beautified by new stained-glass windows that had been donated by individual parishioners. The celebration was attended by many civil and church dignitaries.
1939: After many years of fruitful labor in Holy Rosary, Father Kowalczyk was appointed as pastor of Our Lady of Mercy Parish in Whippany. He left on January 1st to take up his duties in his new parish.
1939-45: Holy Rosary Parish excelled in its efforts during World War II both in financial supports through the sale of War Bonds and in the personal sacrifices in sending more than 500 boys to battlefronts around the world.
1941: Stricken by the fate of his beloved in Poland, the Reverend Canon Kruczek suffered a stroke and on November 21st passed away while still in a coma. He was a faithful and hardworking pastor of Holy Rosary for twenty-three years.
1942: After a three year of absence Father Francis Kowalczyk returned “home” and on January 1st took over Holy Rosary as a pastor. He served twenty-five years in that capacity.
1943: The formal beginning of the Silver Jubilee Year took place in February, and the parishioners took a justifiable price in the accomplishment of the first twenty-five years of fruitful endeavor. Parishioners were proud of their parish reaching its 25 years of existence, and with their generosity helped to pay off the bank debts. Donations were not only made from local parishioners, but from overseas, where young parishioners were based with the military and sent donations in order to keep solidarity with their parish family, by helping to pay off the debts. An added highlight of this Jubilee Year was the ordination and First Mass of another member of the parish, Father John Pokrywka in June.
1944: On September 17, on the 5th anniversary of the Soviet invasion of Poland, the veterans of the Gerald V. Carroll Post of the American Legion of Passaic presented a flagpole and flag to Holy Rosary Church. This fifty-five foot steel flagpole was installed on the grounds near the rectory.
1945: Upon the conclusion of World War II, the parish welcomed the soldiers returning from war with an Easter Festival. It was then that the idea to organize the American Legion Rosol-Dul Post #359, named after two parishioners who first died in World War II. Another joyful celebration was the ordination of Father Apolonius Krajewski who born in Passaic. Father Krajewski was ordained by Bishop McLaughlin, and celebrated his First Mass on February 20th.
1947: The American Relief for Poland Campaign proved the resourcefulness of the members of Holy Rosary Parish. The campaign was the best in the nation, with contributions totaling over twice the original goal.
1948: Holy Rosary celebrated its Thirtieth Anniversary. In preparation for the jubilee, a new floor was installed in the church, the lighting fixtures were renovated, and the building masonry was repaired. A Jubilee Banquet was held in the parish hall on November 21st. In the presence of Bishop Thomas A. Boland the mortgage documents were burned. The parish had paid off the debts.
1951: Father Stanley Schinski, born and raised in the parish, celebrated his First Mass on May 19th.
1952: Father Kowalczyk continued his work and activities on behalf of Poland, serving as the chairman for various drives for Polish Relief and Polish Orphans. In recognition of his zeal and energy, the Polish Government in exile awarded him the Golden Cross of Merit.
1954: His Holiness Pope Pius XII had honored Father Kowalczyk the rank of Domestic Prelate. All parishioners shared the joy of this honor bestowed on their beloved pastor. The solemn installation ceremonies were conducted by Bishop James McNulty on November 14th.
1957: Monsignor Kowalczyk was very active during the war. He was chaplain of the Passaic Redevelopment Agenc, and continued his many activities on behalf of Poland. On November 24th, on the occasion of his thirty-fifth anniversary to Priesthood Ordination, Monsignor Kowalczyk received the Commander’s Cross, “Polonia Restituta”, the highest award granted by the Polish Government in exile.
1958: On December 14th Bishop McNulty again awarded Monsignor Kowalczyk by officially honoring him with the dignity and privileges of a Protonotary Apostolic.
1961: Earlier that year the parish acquired the land and buildings on the opposite side of the street from the rectory, between Ninth Street and the Passaic River. Plans were formulated to convert the small factory into a parish Youth Center to be used by the Young Men’s Club and the various scouting and youth organizations.
1964: In that year the diocese had conducted a development fund campaign to help cover the costs to build a new seminary and several high schools. The quota set for Holy Rosary was $84,000. The campaign committee, guided by the pastor, collected over $102,000.
1966: The church auditorium which had been the scene of varied parish functions for many years was completely remodeled. The walls were paneled, a new ceiling was added and air conditioning was installed.
1967: In anticipation for the Jubilee Year, plans were made to modernize the church according to the changes recommended by the Second Vatican Council. The church presbytery was completely renovated and new benches, air conditioning, and carpets were purchased and installed. While work was in progress all Masses were held in the parish auditorium. For some of the parishioners, the renovation seemed drastic but soon all came to appreciate its classic beauty and simplicity.
1968: On March 3, a solemn Mass was held in preparation for the Golden Jubilee of the parish. This spirit of anticipation and preparation was suspended, however, when without warning, the death of the beloved pastor, Monsignor Francis Kowalczyk, occurred on March 8th. On March 26th, Bishop Lawrence B. Casey appointed Reverend Joseph Ducas the third pastor of Holy Rosary in Passaic, who served the parish for ten years. Father Ducas led all the preparations to the Golden Jubilee, when finally on November 17, a thanksgiving Mass for the Golden Jubilee was celebrated by Bishop Casey, following a banquet in the parish auditorium.
1974: After a few years of discussions and deliberations, the parish school had closed. In between the most important factors of closing the school was the financial struggle and the decreasing number of students in the school (there was about 130 students when it closed), and also suggestions arising from the Diocesan Department of Education, to open a “Passaic Catholic Regional School” which was established in September. The closing of the school affected many parish families with school children, who left Holy Rosary to join neighboring churches and schools..
1976: On August 6, nineteen Polish Bishops, attending the Eucharistic Congress in Philadelphia, visited Holy Rosary Church to celebrate the Fiftieth Anniversary Mass for the late Archbishop Cieplak and to visit St. Mary’s Hospital in Passaic, where Archbishop Cieplak passed away. No one expected that the main celebrant and homilist, Cardinal Karol Wojtyla, would be elected as Pope John Paul II, two years later.
1976: Chester Dziewiatek became the first permanent deacon in the history of the parish. He helped with the liturgical functions, teaching religion, and in organizing the annual parish picnics. Deacon Chester served the parish until his death in 1988.
1977: After the death of the Bishop Lawrence B. Casey, on December 6th, Pope Paul VI appointed Monsignor Frank Rodimer, as the sixth Bishop of the Paterson Diocese.
1978: Father Ducas submitted his request for an early retirement due to his poor health. The request was granted by the bishop and Father John Podgorny, assistant of St. Joseph’s Church was assigned as the fourth pastor of Holy Rosary on June 1st, and served twenty-two years at the parish.
Immediately after his installation, the new pastor started to renovate all the church buildings and the surrounding property. With zeal and the cooperation of the parish priests, parish organizations, and parishioners, the spirit of the Parish was renewed.
1979: That year the Holy Rosary Choir was formed. Their official debut was at the Mass in celebration of the 25th Anniversary of Priesthood Ordination of the pastor, Reverend John Podgorny.
1981: Thanksgiving Day marked the opening of the new library located on the second floor of the church building. Stocked with books purchased by the pastor and the volumes donated by the Parishioners, the library featured a large selection of children’s books and a collection of Polish classics, as well as works of Polish History Books in Polish and English.
1982: The Martial Law was established in Poland on December 13, 1981. Holy Rosary Church was one of the first parishes to respond with aid. A special Solidarity Day Mass for the intention of Poland was held on January 30, and Reverend Monsignor Herb Tyllyer, Chancellor, spoke during the Mass.
1985: One of the worst catastrophes in the State of New Jersey had occurred near Holy Rosary Church. On September 2, Labor Day, two teenagers burned a garbage can, whose fire spread abruptly. The entire industrial complex of eighteen factories on Eighth, Ninth, Tenth, and South Streets and twenty-three residential houses were destroyed. The fire made $400 million in damages, and 2,200 jobs were irretrievably lost. Father John Podgorny immediately opened the church facilities to shelter and fed the fire victims, while parishioners volunteered to serve the victims. 150 families (about 400 individuals) found shelter at Holy Rosary Church.
1986-87: Perhaps the greatest aid to Polish immigrants in the Passaic vicinity came in those years during the Amnesty Program, which aided about 3 million individuals, who migrated to the United States before 1982. Father Podgorny, together with parish volunteers, helped hundreds of people achieve their status as permanent United States residents. At the pastor’s request, personnel from the Immigration Office came to process applications in the Holy Rosary auditorium.
1989: On March 18th Pope John Paul II recognized and acknowledged Father Podgorny’s devotion to God and the Church community by honoring him with the title of Monsignor.
1992: In the spirit of the Diamond Jubilee, Monsignor Podgorny inaugurated the celebrations of the Diamond Jubilee with the annual picnic in September. Monsignor Podgorny had also appointed the Jubilee Committee, whose President was Edward Szwalek The celebrants at the Mass were Bishop Rodimer, invited priests, and the faithful. It was a year of special events, festivities and celebrations.
1993: On January 3rd Chopin’s Choir presented a Christmas repertoire. On March 7th, Bishop Frank Rodimer came to celebrate the High Mass. A gala held at The Fiesta on May 16th officially brought to a close the Diamond Jubilee Year.
2000: After twenty-two years of faithful service as a pastor of Holy Rosary, on July 21 Monsignor John Podgorny retired to Poland to enjoy a well-deserved rest. Bishop Rodimer appointed Reverend A. Stefan Las, who has been serving as an assistant pastor of the parish, the new pastor of Holy Rosary Church.
The new pastor quickly began a series of repairs to the church buildings. Members of the financial committee, under leadership of Father Las, decided that a new air conditioner unit should be installed. The cost of the unit was $37,600.
The Diocese of Paterson began a $40 million campaign called “Prepare the Way.” Holy Rosary parish was responsible for collecting $255,000.
2001: The most important event of the year was the September 11th attack on New York. Terrified people gathered in churches, commending their uncertain future to God. Huge crowds prayed for peace during special liturgies. Pope John Paul II prayed for the souls of the victims and their families. The president of Poland announced a national day of mourning.
2002: On April 20th the Holy Rosary Young Men’s Club celebrated its 75th anniversary with a gala Dinner-Dance. A week later, 50 children celebrated their First Communion. The annual parish picnic was held on September 8 and, as always, concluded in a great success with the festive gathering of many families and friends.
2003: On January 25th the Guard of Honor organized an “Oplatek” dinner, which was a great way to start the new year and end the Christmas season. The same week, the St. Maria Goretti Youth Group presented the “Jaselka”. The audience was truly delighted with the performances of the youth.
In June Father Stefan started to reconstruct the St. Theresa hall into a chapel in the vestibule of the church. Donations were collected for the renovations and a new air-conditioning system was installed under the choir. A Polish preschool, located in the convent building, opened for enrollment. On November 16th, a new religious store was opened in the church. The store is located on the convent-side entrance into the church. Parishioners have the opportunity to purchase religious articles.
2004: On February 15th Bishop Frank Rodimer came to confirm the young men and women of the parish. It was Bishop’s last visit to the parish as the shepherd of the Diocese of Paterson. The diocesan campaign “Prepare the Way” was a great success. Since the parish exceeded the goal, the Diocese returned over $30,000 to the parish. This would not be possible without the extraordinary effort of generous parishioners. That year new English and Polish hymnals were purchased for the church.
2005: 1st Annual Pulaski Day Ball was scheduled for Saturday, April 2nd. Sad news came from the Vatican; a day of sadness for all Catholics occurred on April 2nd when the Church's beloved Shepherd, Pope John Paul II, departed this world to the Father. The next day a Memorial Mass was presided over by Bishop Arthur Serratelli. The Rosary was also prayed in various locations in many languages in tribute to John Paul II.
That year, a decision was made to install an elevator in the church. It has become a necessary project for the elderly and handicapped parishioners. The cost of this project amounted to $135,000.
On July3rd His Eminence, Joseph Cardinal Glemp, Primate of Poland celebrated the 10:30 High Mass. Bishop Arthur Serratelli, and priests from other Polish parishes concelebrated. Needless to say, the church was completely filled.
2011: On Sunday, October 23 a formal procession with the relic of Saint John Paul II was held during the 10:30 am Mass. The parish received the relic from the hands of Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz. The parish spiritually prepared for this celebration with the novena to Blessed John Paul II, which concluded in the veneration of the relic. The image of Blessed John Paul II was also blessed during this solemn Mass.
2012: July 1, Holy Rosary Parish and the local polonia are filled with joy with the visitation of Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz, Pope John Paul II’s personal secretary, and the current Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Krakow. Cardinal Dziwisz blessed the statue of Saint John Paul II, celebrated Holy Mass and delivered the homily. In the presence of the copious faithful gathered, local Polish community and clergy, Most Rev. Arthur J. Serratelli, Bishop of the Diocese of Paterson, designated Holy Rosary RC Church the Diocesan Shrine of Saint John Paul II.
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