A BRIEF HISTORY OF ST. HYACINTH'S PARISH IN AUBURN, NY
Golden Jubilee Album St. Hyacinth's Parish 1906-1956,
Auburn, NY, p. 21-23. CAP at Orchard Lake.
The first traces of Poles in Auburn date back to about 1880 — They began migrating into the city in
small numbers and settling in the north section. After obtaining work at the International Harvester
and Henry & Allen, they brought in their families and relatives and friends from Prussia and three
villages, Rakszawa, Zolen and Lancut.
By 1890 the Poles numbered about one hundred families and two hundred single young men and
women. Since a great number of the migrants came from under the Prussian regime, and learning
of the German parish of St. Alphonsus, they naturally attended at Mass and became acquainted
with the genial pastor Father H. Regenbogen. In 1905 a committee was formed and it appealed
to Fr. Regenbogen that he intercede for the Polish people before the Bishop, for a Polish priest to
administer to their spiritual needs. Shortly after two priests Rev. Szadzinski from Rochester and Rev.
Klejna from Elmira visited Auburn alternately to celebrate Mass and to administer the Sacraments
to the Polish people in St. Alphon¬sus Church in Water St.
Father Herbert Regenbogen most graciously granted the use of his Church for Mass and the Hall for
meetings to the growing Polish population. Meetings were being held now in John Rybash Hall, the
first Polish hall in Auburn. The purpose of these was to select a committee to be sent to the Bishop
with an appeal to form a Polish parish and obtain a Polish pastor to care for the Polish people of the
city. Heading the committee were Adalbert Ławniczak, Frank Białoszewski and others. As delegates
to the Chancery Joseph Lubiński, John Skowron and John Srokosz were elected. This delegation was
well received by the Rt. Rev. Bishop Bernard J. McQuaid and promised a priest in the near future.
At this time in St. Bernard's Seminary in Rochester, a young student, Stanislaus J. Szupa, born and
educated in Bufifalo, was finishing his studies for the priesthood. He began his course in the Polish
Seminary of Sts. Cyril and Method, Orchard Lake, Mich., continued in Rome, Italy and was finally
ordained in the Cathedral in Rochester, June 10, 1905. Two weeks after his ordination to the holy
priesthood, Father Stanislaus J. Szupa was sent to Auburn to organize the Polish people and to
build a church. Because of no funds, the young priest asked for temporary habitation with the Rev.
Regenbogen and the continued use of the church for Sunday and Holyday services. The pastor of
St. Alphonsus most willingly consented to the request and for the following two years allowed the
free use of the church and hall, while funds were being raised and the new Polish church erected.
A house to house campaign for the building fund was in progress until a sufficient sum was collected
for the purchase of an appropriate location for the new edifice. The new pastor called a committee
of trusty men and together they purchased the present location for the sum of $3,150. When the
1
Poles saw that now a place was selected for the new church, they most liberally donated for the
new church fund.
The patron chosen for the new parish — was St. Hyacinth — the wise and holy Dominican Monk
with whose blessing the fervent group of Polish immigrants began the erection of their own beloved
parish. The building went on uninterrupted to its finish, so that the first Mass celebrated was the
Resurrection Mass on Easter Sunday 1907 —at 8:15 A.M. —The High Mass at 10:15. The Lamentations
and Benediction at 3 :00 P.M. The people stood throughout the ceremonies, for there still were no
pews in the church. The church measured 110 feet in length and 50 feet wide. Six classrooms below
with living quarters for the teaching nuns. It was indeed a great day of rejoicing and thanksgiving
to the Lord, now that these religious people could honor and praise Him in their own language in
their very own church in their own way and manner!
The parish was growing annually. In fact by 1909 the census showed 207 families and 361 single
persons with a total of 1,158 parishioners. The people endeavored to live close to each other, selecting such streets as Pulaski, (formerly Pulsifer), Perrine, Cottage, Union, State, Chase, Seymour,
Rock etc. and thus near to their church and school.
The Rev. Pastor Stanislaus Szupa administered to his parish for nineteen continuous years, experiencing times of joy and happiness and times of sorrow and tears with his parishioners. His wholesome
advice was sought by the various parish societies and organizations to which he gave an initiative
and beginning.
In 1926 Rev. Stanslaus J. Szupa, pastor, was appointed by the Rt. Rev. Bishop to a larger parish of St.
Stanislaus in Rochester, NY. During his time here he erected the beautiful parochial school and made
many repairs and improvements. Due to poor health he was forced to resign from his pastorate in
1933 and assume the duties of chaplain to St. Mary's Hospital, where after 10 years work with the
sick he himself died on April 13, 1944.
Rev. Walter Massalski, from the Buffalo Diocese, was appointed administrator after Father Szupa
left for Rochester. He acted in that capacity from January to July 1st, 1926. On that same day of July
1st, the Franciscan Fathers, Order Minor Conventuals came to Auburn, to take over direction of the
Polish Parish of St. Hyacinth. Father Jerome A. Holubowicz, as Pastor, formerly assistant pastor, St.
Hedwig's parish, Detroit, Mich, for four years. Father Blaise Szymaszek, assistant pastor, from the
Basilica of St. Josaphat, Milwaukee, Wise., and lay-brother Leo Walencewicz, from Corpus Christi
Church, Buffalo, NY.
The first task of the new pastor was the erection of a school annex of two portable classrooms in
August of that year. The following year the church was redecorated and half of the parish debt paid
off. In 1928 a fund was started for the building of a new convent for the teaching Sisters, who until
now are living in tight and small quarters adjoining the Rectory on State St. The building began the
following year according to the plans of George F. Lorenz, Rochester architect. The Convent will be no
doubt the most modern in the city. It was finished in December 1929 — open for public inspection
Dec. 22nd. The Rt. Rev. Bishop John Francis O'Hern of Rochester blessed the Convent at 3 :00 p.m.
with the attendance of the local and diocesan clergy and parishioners. In the years that followed,
various church societies and sodalities were organized and others reorganized, recreation grounds
for the school children were purchased, the basement of the church rebuilt and a kitchen included.
The Silver Jubilee of the laying of the corner stone of the church was celebrated for a week from
2
June 28 to July 5, 1931. The full week of activity is written up in another part of this album.
An important addition to the parochial school was made in 1937. An eight and seventh modern
grades were built on in the rear to the present school building, thus completing the elementary
school. These classrooms were substituted for the portable building which will be razed because
it is no longer adequate for the present number of children. The annex was blessed by the Rev.
Pastor, Sunday, Sept. 13, 1937 at 4 :00 P.M. — The pastor also delivered the sermon and imparted
the Benediction.
On July 4, 1939, the burning of the mortgage on St. Hyacinth's Church was an occasion for a parish
rejoicing and celebration in the Falcon Hall. The burning of the mortgage itself was carried out by
three of the oldest parishioners, Charles Lobermayer, Anthony Bialoszewski and Ignatius Kilian.
There was a pageant by the school children depicting the various steps and activities of the parish.
The year 1939 was important in other ways. It gave to the Franciscan Order five ordained priests,
while the school had its largest registration, 606 pupils, the biggest in the city. The people of the
parish raised $5,000 for aid in the Polish War Zone. In World War II, it gave 536 men to the services,
twenty-six of whom gave their lives.
One of the very necessary needs in the parish was a new rectory near to the church. The Fathers
lived for many years in the old rectory, 225 State St. It was a long walk each morning to the church,
especially in the winter months. A fund campaign brought good results. Ground was broken for
the new rectory March 31, 1948 at 9:15 A.M., adjoining the church on the large lot just west of the
church in Pulaski St. Wallace C. Beardslev was architect and William E. Bouley was the contractor.
January 1949 the building was ready for occupation by the Fathers. His Excellency Bishop James E.
Kearney blessed the new rectory on June 28, 1949.
With the cooperation of the parish, The Swietoniowski-Kopeczek 1324 erected a huge monument
in memory of the men of St. Hyacinth's Parish and the S.K. Post 1324, American Legion Post who
gave their lives during World War I and II and the Korean Conflict. The ceremony took place July 3,
1954 Sunday afternoon before hundreds of people gathered in front of the church.
On occasion of the Golden Jubilee of the parish this year, the church has been refurbished, with
new windows added and a gas heating system installed in the church and school.
In the school cafeteria the kitchen has been enlarged and new machinery and storage room, freezer
and frigidaire installed.
Today the parish numbers about 2,654 souls. It gave eight priests and eight nuns to the church.
Children in school 367. It is flourishing materially and spiritually.
This Golden Jubilee Album was compiled for the parishioners. Reviewing its many pages, may it
bring fond recollections and memories of the history and the people that pioneered it, helped to
build it and lived it in the past half century.
O God Almighty, Eternal Father bless St. Hyacinth's parish, its faithful people that it may flourish for
Thy glory, for Holy Mother the Church, for Our Great Republic and for our Community!
3