St. Stanislaus Kostka Parish History

In the early 1900s, an influx of immigrants arrived in Hastings to work in the newly established factory of the National Conduit and Cable Company. Among these new arrivals were Poles, Slovaks, Lithuanians, Hungarians, Ukrainians and Russians. Many were Poles who worshipped at St. Casimir’s Church in Yonkers, led by its pastor, Rev. Joseph C. Dworzak.

In 1912, a committee representing many of the new Hastings residents met with Father Dworzak at St. Casimir’s. They took a census, raised funds and formed St. Stanislaus Kostka Parish under the leadership of Father Dworzak, who became the pastor of both parishes.

On October 17, 1913, the parish purchased its building at 52 Main Street, which was a church built in 1850 for a Baptist congregation.

On June 14, 1914, after renovations and repairs were completed, the St. Stanislaus Kostka Roman Catholic Church was consecrated by the Rt. Rev. Msgr. Joseph F. Mooney, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of New York, with over 3,000 people in attendance.

On July 12, 1914, the Holy Rosary Society for women was organized. This organization remained active for a number of years after the parish was suppressed and celebrated its centennial in 2014.

Under the leadership of Father Dworzak, who served as pastor until 1918, and the pastors who succeeded him, Father Filetz (1918-1926) and Father Daszkiewicz (1926-1963), the parish continued to thrive and grow. It was under the pastorate of Father Filetz that the property on the corner of Washington Avenue and Warburton Avenue was purchased for the rectory.

On January 25, 1964, Father Edmund A. Fabisinski left St. Casimir’s Church in Yonkers to assume the duties of pastor of St. Stanislaus. Under his leadership, the church building was renovated in the spirit of Vatican II. The front facing altar was installed, the altar rail was removed and new modern pews were installed. The front facing stairs of the building were removed and a new side staircase was installed.

In 1969, Father Roman Szarama took over as pastor when Father Fabisinski returned to St. Casimir’s Church as pastor. During the 1970s, the church was graced with a donation of additional stained-glass windows above the main altar, near the Sacred Heart altar, in the altar servers’ room, in the choir loft and in the vestibule. These windows were donated by the Wenthen, Ciborowski, Radon and Sachar/Torowski families. Air conditioning was also installed in the church.

In 1970, Father Virgilio Franco joined the parish as a Sunday associate priest. Born in Spain, Father Franco’s background as a scholar and educator was evident in his homilies.

In 1974, while he was serving as pastor of St. Casimir’s Church, Father Fabisinski was elevated to Monsignor by Pope Paul VI. On June 4, 1977, he was again appointed as pastor of St. Stanislaus Kostka when Father Szarama was transferred to St. Joseph’s Church in Florida, New York. On July 1, 1985, Father Fabisinski retired as pastor of St. Stanislaus and became administrator. He remained with the parish until April 8, 1986, when he left due to illness.

On July 15, 1986, Father Edward T. McCorry was appointed pastor of both St. Stanislaus Kostka and St. Matthew Roman Catholic Churches in Hastings-on-Hudson by His Eminence John Cardinal O’Connor. Father McCorry came to this role well prepared with skills gained from education and counseling. Under his guidance, the two parishes came to complement each other in a vibrant community of worship.

Father James Smyth was appointed an associate of St. Matthew’s Parish in 1978. He went on to assume the role of Associate Pastor. Throughout his years of service, which continued despite his retirement in 1997, he enlivened the parish with his emphatic homilies, his devotion to the Blessed Mother and his caring attention to the sick. Father Smyth passed away in 2016, after moving to St. Cabrini Nursing Home in 2013.

In 1986, Father Lawrence Pinto came to the Catholic Community of Hastings-on-Hudson. Father Pinto was the first of a succession of priests from Lucknow, India, to enrich the parish with their deep faith and cultural perspective.

In 1989, the parishioners of St. Stanislaus celebrated the 75^th anniversary of the dedication of the church with a dinner dance at the Southside Social & Athletic Club. Ensuing years saw significant milestones in the parish. The Catholic Community of Hastings-on-Hudson celebrated the 40^th anniversary of Father Smyth’s ordination, Father McCorry’s elevation to Monsignor, the retirement of Father Franco and, in 2004, the retirement of Monsignor McCorry.

In 2004, Father Matthew Fernan was appointed pastor of both St. Matthew and St. Stanislaus Kostka churches. Father Fernan faced the task of shepherding the parishioners of St. Stanislaus through the Archdiocesan pastoral planning initiative known as realignment. In October 2005, the church building was closed due to roof damage during a storm. The church remained closed for a number of months, and parishioners attended Mass at St. Matthew’s Church, while waiting to hear if their church would reopen. In January 2007, the Archdiocese announced that St. Stanislaus Kostka Church would close and the parish would be suppressed.

The parishioners of St. Stanislaus were welcomed into the parish of St. Matthew. The St. Stanislaus altar was installed in the former confessional alcove to the right of the main altar. The tabernacle was installed on the high altar in St. Matthew Church. The tapestry of our patron is present nearby, as are the baptismal font and other sacramentals. Oplatki are present for Christmas and food baskets are blessed before Easter.

The St. Stanislaus Kostka Parish community was more than just a church building; it was a parish family intertwined through potluck suppers, parish picnics, rosary society events and more. Even though the church is no more, the many traditions continue through the joining together of our parish communities.

Information above taken from the St. Stanislaus Holy Rosary Society Centennial Celebration booklet.