St. Joseph's Church
History in a Nutshell
- March, 1892
- Arrival of the Poles in Gardner. Mr. John Kulczyk, first registered Pole.
- May 5, 1907
- Purchase of the Donahue estate on 358 Pleasant Street as a site for a church to service the Polish-speaking Catholics of Gardner.
- December 6, 1908
- St. Joseph's Parish is canonically erected by the Most Reverend Thomas D. Beaven of Springfield. Rev. Julius Rodziewicz is appointed first Pastor. First parish mass celebrated in Holy Rosary Church on Nichols Street.
- January, 1912
- Rev. Andrew Kryzwda succeeds Father Rodziewicz as Pastor. Building plans for the church are completed.
- March, 1913
- Most Rev. Thomas D. Beaven dedicates the new church, accommodating 825 people. Rev. John Mard (Mardyrosiewicz) becomes the third Pastor.
- November 22, 1914
- Rev. Stanislaus Chlapowski assigned as fourth Pastor. Furnishing of the church completed in the early years of Father Chlapowski's Pastorate.
- May, 1933
- Land purchased on Otter River-Gardner line as a cemetery site.
- January 28, 1950
- St. Joseph's Parish becomes a part of the newly created Diocese of Worcester, with the Most Rev. John J. Wright its first Ordinary.
- September 4, 1950
- Death of Father Chlapowski
- January, 1952
- St. Joseph's Cemetery is enlarged and improved.
- October 18, 1956
- Redeedication of the newly renovateed church, by Bishop John J. Wright.
- May 31, 1957
- Sudden death of Rev. Ladislaus Radzik, fifth Pastor.
- June 1, 1957
- Rev. Henry S. Banach, assistant to the Pastor since June 1, 1955, appointed administrator.
- October 30, 1959
- Rev. Joseph L. Niedzwiecki appointed Pastor.
- June 30, 1978
- Rev. Joseph L. Niedzwiecki retired as Pastor.
- July 1, 1978
- Rev. Casimir J. Kurzawski appointed Pastor.
- September 30, 1979
- The first Polish Festival was held.
- March 4, 1982
- An extensive renovation of the lower church hall begain
- March 19-21, 1982
- St Joseph's was privileged to host the Icon of the Lady of Czestochowa (The Black Madonna of Poland).
- September 11, 1983
- Rev. Kurzawski gave a replica of the Icon of Our Lady of Czestochowa as his personal gift to the parishioners of St. Joseph's Parish.
- 1991
- Rev. Casimir Kurzawski retires, Rev. Charles Borowski becomes eighth Pastor.
- 1993
- Rev. Charles Borowski transfers, Rev. Francis Piechocki becomes ninth Pastor.
- 1994
- Rev. Francis Piechocki dies, Rev. Thomas TOkarz becomes tenth Pastor.
This material is taken from the 75th and 90th Anniversary Booklets.