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History of Our Church

Although the majority of Polish immigrants arriving in Western New York at the turn of the century continued to settle within the limits of the city's eastern section, they were too numerous to avoid the congested city living conditions, and they began to establish their homes in the sparsely settled suburban areas such as Genesee, Walden, Bailey, and William streets. Cutting through the Polish settlement, directly across Cheektowaga were natural avenues of expansion.

As more families settled in the Harlem William vicinity, they planned to organize a parish. Bishop Charles Colton in a written statement, dated October 16, 1905, formed the parish of St. Josaphat and appointed Father Andrew Garstka, as it's first pastor.

The first job for this young priest was to get acquainted with the people and collect funds for the building of the new church and school. People voluntarily brought generous gifts, being overjoyed that finally they would have their own church and school. Many of the residents were attending church at the orphanage on William St. (which was the original Motherhouse of the Felician sisters). The children attended St. Casimer's Parochial school, which was about one hours walk every day.

After six months, Father Garstka was transferred to St. Barbara's in Lackawanna, where at the same time their parish was being organized.

In March of 1906, Father Ludwik Leichert was appointed pastor. However, Father did not remain pastor for long. On June 24, 1906 Rev. Wladyslaw Hordych undertook the building of the new church and school. Originally Father Hordych bought an old barn house on William St. (where Theodore Roosevelt School now stands) designated to be used as a school. This was done so that the school would be close to the orphanage chapel where services were held. It was not until the first months of 1907 that the pastor bought land on William and Mansion St. Immediately after that, the building of the three-story building started. The fist floor was to serve as the church, the second floor the school, and the third floor the parish hall.

The corner stone was laid and blessed on June 16, 1907 by Bishop Colton. The building was completed on December 29, 1907. In January 1908 the building was opened as a church and school. The school consisted of three classrooms with 50 children each. The unoccupied rooms became the living quarters of the pastor. The entire cost of the building was $30,000.00.

In 1914, Father Hordych became the pastor of Assumption Church in Black Rock and Father Karol Mioduszewski became the new pastor. Under his administration a two-lane bowling alley was built. This was the center for youth activities in the parish. However, during the night of August 20, 1924 a big fire broke out and destroyed the building. School classes were moved to the homes of parishioners. The Nowakowski family offered their home on the corner of William and Lehigh Streets to be used as a temporary school and once again the church services were held at the orphanage Chapel. Immediately, plans began for the rebuilding. The bishop then ordered Father Mioduszewski to exchange parishes with Father Stanislaus Kroczek who was then at Sacred Heart Church in Medina, New York. Father Kroczek decided to build a rectory and a convent. At that time he lived in a house on the corner of William and Wabash. There were about 400 families in the parish at that time. Father Kroczek sacrificed a lot of time for the parish, taking care without an assistant.

In 1948, he was named a Canon with the privileges of a Msgr., however he became ill and the Franciscan Fathers with Father Emil Tokarz as the head administered the parish.

In 1949, Father Wlodarczak was named administrator. In a short time he made many improvements and with the approval of the Bishop, he began plans for a new church.

The groundbreaking for the new church took place November 5, 1950. On August 5, 1951, the blessing of the cornerstone took place. The first mass in the new church took place on the same day, the Feast of Our Lady of The Snows.

The renovation of the old church for classrooms then began. The new church was blessed on November 23, 1952 by Bishop Joseph a. Burke, then the Bishop of Buffalo.

Father Wlodarczak continued to be the administrator until he was named pastor on February 12, 1953 and installation took place on February 15, 1953. The blessings of the Stations of the Cross took place the same year. Bishop Leo R. Smith, Auxiliary Bishop of Buffalo, blessed the altars on July 4, 1954. The cost of the new church was $315,000.00 and the renovation of the school was $120,000.00.

Father Frank activated many societies, like the Holy Name Society, organized the Sodality of Our Lady, the Rosary Society, and in May 1951 the Mothers Club.

The Golden Jubilee of the parish was concluded with the Liturgy headed by Bishop Leo R. Smith, Auxiliary Bishop of Buffalo on November 18, 1956 with a banquet in the evening at the parish hall.

On January 8, 1961 the blessing of the Parish Center took place. The present parish center contains a hall, gym and six classrooms.

On May 31,1964 the Grotto of the Blessed Mother, next to the parish center was blessed by Bishop Stanislaus Brzana, then the Auxiliary Bishop of Buffalo.

Father Wlodarczak was named Dean of Erie County South and then named a Msgr. in the 1970's. Father Frank died on February 15, 1976. Father Max Panczakiewicz was named to succeed him and became pastor on March 18, 1976. Father Charles Slisz was named pastor on September 1, 1992 until 1998. The present pastor is Rev. Theodore C. Rog.

Barbara Myszka Parish Secretary

Our Pastor

Rev. Theodore C. Rog

Father Rog was educated at Our Lady of Czestochowa in North Tonawanda, Little Seminary of St. Joseph and Little Flower Seminary. He continued at Our Lady of Angels Seminary, St. John Vianney Seminary and was ordained on February 22, 1964.

He later furthered his studies at Canisius College and State University of New York at Buffalo. His first assignment was administrator of Holy Family Parish in Machias and Chaplain at Cattaraugus County infirmary. He was assigned to St. Ambrose, Holy Cross in Salamanca, St Joseph’s in Gowanda and was Chaplain of Gowanda'sTri-County Hospital.

Father Rog continued his career in Guidance and teaching at Cardinal Mindszenty High School, Bishop Turner High School and Niagara Catholic. He later was assigned to Our Lady of Victory in Frewsburg, Our Lady of Peace in Clarence, Nativity of the Blessed Mother at Harris Hill and Nativity of the Blessed Mother in Buffalo.

In 1989, Father Rog was named pastor of St. John Vianney in Orchard Park and then St. Rose of Lima Church in Orchard Park and his most recent assignment here at St. Josaphat.

He has received several awards for his work and served the Diocese on many committees including the Diocesan Board of Education since 1983.

We are grateful to God for his service and dedication to the St. Josaphat Parish Community.