The formation of St. Mary’s of Czestochowa parish began long before we had a building of our own. The Polish Catholics of Bound Brook were in need of a divine leader who could attend to both their Spiritual and cultural needs. To this end the Most Reverend James McFaul, D.D., Bishop of Trenton assigned Father John Scheja to assist at St. Joseph’s parish. During Father Scheja’s tenure at St. Joseph’s, much was done to begin the establishment of a new parish. The strong desire by the Polish community to have a parish of its own worked to form an organization (St. John’s Polish Roman Catholic Association) which would make the dream a reality. The organization purchased the property between Vosseller and Van Keuren Avenues for the sum of $3,000.00 from contributions that in themselves demonstrate the dedication and burning desires of the people. Half a world away, however, an American priest. Father John Pawloski of St. Mary’s in South River, met a young Father Ceslaus Jasionowski. Father Pawloski’s urging brought Father Jasionowski to America as his summer replacement. The Polish community of Bound Brook grew even more determined to establish a parish of their own and worked at feverish pace to petition the bishop to institute a Polish parish with Father Jasionowski at the helm.
Their efforts were rewarded in June 1914 as St. Mary of Czestochowa Roman Catholic Church was established. The charter for the parish was obtained on December 23, 1914 with John Slahetka and John Bulat being appointed as the first trustees. Father Jasinowski showed great business prowess as well as his wealth of knowledge in theology. He made many decisions during his first years as pastor aimed at building a more suitable structure for St. Mary’s.
The purchase of a Settlement House on Vosseller Avenue and Pine Street as well as two lots on Vosseller and Second Street were approved with the latter being slated as the site of the new church. In September 1919, the cornerstone of the combination church and school was laid on the proposed lots and on Thanksgiving Day of 1919 the bishop blessed and dedicated the church. April of 1920 saw the purchase of a home on the corner of Vosseller and High Street which would serve as the rectory. In May of the same year, it was approved that the property on West Second Street be purchased as a convent for the good sisters of the parish. As the parish continued to grow and various societies formed, the needs for an auditorium and meeting rooms grew also. On June 10, 1925, it was resolved that three lots be purchased on Vosseller Avenue adjoining the church building. These eleven years illustrated the dynamic will of both Father Jasionowski and the Polish community of Bound Brook. This unyielding faith would be tapped in the years to come as the depression hampers the task of liquidating the enormous debt incurred.
As the number of parishioners increased, St. Mary’s saw an influx of Italian Catholics. Again exhibiting his sensitivity and intelligence, the Reverend Doctor would speak fluent Italian with those parishioners. In an effort to satisfy their need for their own priests. Father Jasionowski often invited Italian priests to preach to them in their native language. In 1936 St. Mary’s was granted an assistant pastor, Father Alexander Zdaniewicz. Both he and Father Jasionowski were able to spend more time meeting the needs of their parishioners. The year 1939 saw the celebration of St. Mary’s Silver Jubilee, but the festivities were shadowed by the news of World War II. The young men of St. Mary’s felt the need to fight for their “motherland”. Father Jaz (as he would later be called) was busy consoling the families of the parish, encouraging their continued faith and praying with them for the war to end and their loved ones to return home. June of 1942 was the beginning of Father John J. Nowak’s stay with us. He remained assistant for a period of six years during which time the original convent was sold and a new convent more suitable to the needs of the nuns was obtained. In the years following the war. Father Nowak was transferred and St. Mary’s was introduced to Fathers Francis Klimkiewicz and Michael Kseniak as assistants.
St. Mary’s enjoyed a double celebration in 1954 with the 40th anniversary of Father Jaz’s assignment and the burning of the mortgage. School and parish attendance was constantly increasing so much so that in 1957 new plans were approved for a school large enough to accommodate our students and yet allow for continued growth. The groundbreaking of the school took place in September of 1957 and the dedication and blessing of the cornerstone was celebrated in October 1958. St. Mary’s parishioners truly were proud of themselves and their new school, however, they now had a new obstacle to tackle; the school debt. Father Jasionowski was always thinking of ways in which to repay such a huge debt but was never to see it relieved. On January 30, 1960, the only pastor St. Mary’s had ever known passed away. The entire congregation felt this loss. Father Charles Przechacki was appointed temporary administrator during the period of April 1959 until June 1960. On June 7, 1960, Father John Nowak returned to St. Mary’s as the newly designated pastor. Father Nowak was faced with the difficult tasks of alleviating the enormous parish debt and at the same time trying to fill the shoes of the man so loved by his congregation for over forty years. Countless repairs to the rectory were made in order to return it to a safe and comfortable residence. Among the many reminders of Father Nowak’s reign at St. Mary’s are the pews and altar table. Each year, St. Mary’s sponsored a carnival which required the enthusiasm and dedication of all her parishioners, young and old; qualities that have been characteristic throughout our history. By the time of Father Nowak’s death in September of 1977, the parish debt of over $300,000.00 had been relieved and St. Mary’s was returned to financial health. The magnitude of Father Nowak’s success in unburdening St. Mary’s is still being enjoyed today.
The people of St. Mary’s were again assigned a temporary pastor, Father Richard C. Brietske. After serving two months, our next pastor, Father Eugene J. Prus was installed. He was instrumental in the reactivating the Holy Name Society and his involvement with the children of the parish was one of his top priorities. Father Prus had new doors installed on the school building as well as the storm coverings to protect the stained glass windows of the church. However, what Father Prus would most be remembered for during his years here is the impact he had on our spiritual growth and that of our school children.
In April 1985, Father Stanley J. Walega was installed as pastor and served St. Marys to June 2003. Under his leadership we have seen an increase in attendance of youth at masses. St. Mary’s parishioners have seen many of their neighbors as ushers, lectors, and special ministers of the Eucharist. Father Stanley’s openness and desire to spread God’s word has manifested itself in an increase of new parishioners to St. Mary’s already varied ethnic background. While St. Mary’s was able to enjoy this variety of backgrounds a parish census was needed. The census provided an accurate accounting of our parishioners, but it also proved to be another way for Father Stan to get acquainted with his flock. The presence of our youth at mass encouraged the establishment of St. Mary’s Youth Group and our children no longer needed to visit other parishes to enjoy religious activities.
Because of the history of the parish and the large number of Polish people in the area, Father Stanley saw the need to introduce a Polish Mass at St. Mary’s. We now have Stations of the Cross in Polish and Gorzkie Zale during Lent. On special occasions, like Christmas, Easter and Marian Feasts, beautiful recitals are performed by many talented people of Polish origin. Our parish also opened its heart and its gates for a Polish Saturday School, which has grown and flourished under the sponsorship of Polish Falcons Nest 946.
A Parish Bereavement Support Group, Vocation Committee, Altar Servers Hall of Fame, Children of Mary, and the Family Chalice Program were introduced along with the Divine Mercy Devotion .
Under Father Stanley’s leadership St. Mary's Church has been brought back to its original design and beauty. The Altar of Sacrifice, along with the Pulpit (Ambo), and the Baptistry was refurbished by European artisans to match the design of the original back altar. In 1999 a new roof was put on the Church with a beautiful new steeple and a Carillon System. Beautiful chimes of church music from the St. Mary's bellery now remind the people about God and called them to come to services. A new roof was also installed on the school, the convent and the rectory. After the terrible flood of September 1999, the school cafeteria was completely renovated. Many new improvements were added for the benefit of the school and the parish hall. All new heating systems and air conditioning systems were also installed in the Church and school. Father Stanley retired in June 2003.
On June 10, 2003 Father Leon S. Aniszczyk was installed as administrator of St. Mary's and on August 27, 2004, Bishop Paul G. Bootkoski installed Father Leon S. Aniszczyk as the 5th Pastor of St. Mary's. Father Marian Drozd served as parochial vichar until July 1, 2005. St. Mary's parish continues to grow and prosper thanks to our dedicated priests and wonderful parishioners.
PASTORS AT ST. MARY'S
June 1914 - January 1960 Father Ceslaus M. Jasinowski June 1960 - September 1977 Father John J. Nowak November 1977 - April 1985 Father Eugene Prus April 1985 - June 2003 Father Stanley J. Walega June 2003 - Present Father Leon S. Aniszczyk
ASSISTANT PRIESTS AT ST. MARY'S
1936 - 1942
Rev. Alexander Zdaniewicz 1948 - 1950
Rev. Francis Klimkiewicz
1950 - 1955
Rev. Michael Kseniak
1955 - 1957
Rev. Joseph Krysztofik
1957 - 1960
Rev. Charles Przechacki
1960 - 1964
Rev. Joseph Fibner
1964 - 1968
Rev. Anthony Kramarz
1978 - 1980
Rev. Anthony Furgal
1987 - 1990
Rev. Joseph Krajewski
1986 - 1988
Simon Gallagher
1990 - 1997
Rev. John Stec
1997 - 2000
Rev. Mitch Jarzembek
2000 - 2005
Rev. Marian Drozd
