[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 125 (Friday, September 18, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1768]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  STATEMENT IN HONOR OF THE 90TH ANNIVERSARY OF ST. CASIMIR'S POLISH 
               NATIONAL CATHOLIC CHURCH IN ROCHESTER, NY

                                 ______
                                 

                     HON. LOUISE McINTOSH SLAUGHTER

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 18, 1998

  Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to pay special tribute to 
the legacy of St. Casimir's Polish National Catholic Church in 
Rochester, New York. The parish will celebrate its 90th year of 
ministry during a special Con-celebrated Pontifical High Mass of 
Thanksgiving on September 26, 1998.
  St. Casimir's Polish National Church in Rochester was organized on 
March 4, 1908, after a visit to Rochester by His Grace, The Most Rev. 
Prime Bishop Hodur, the first Bishop of the Polish National Catholic 
Church. The parish was established with approximately 150 families, 
under the leadership of the first Pastor, Father Valentine 
Gawrychowski. Their building was located on Hudson Avenue in Rochester, 
New York.
  The parish increased in membership and erected a church building and 
rectory within two years. They were fortunate to burn the mortgage on 
this property in 1944. In 1950, a recreational building, including 
bowling lanes, was erected, and between 1956 and 1961 the church 
building was renovated internally and externally.
  In more recent years, the congregation voted to relocate to the Town 
of Irondequoit, New York. Their new building was completed in March, 
1977 and was consecrated by The Most Rev. Thaddeus Zielinski, Prime 
Bishop of the Polish National Catholic Church. The mortgage burning 
ceremony for this building was celebrated in December, 1993, in 
conjunction with the 85th Anniversary Parish Festivities.
  I take great pride in knowing many parishioners of this long 
established and influential parish in my home District. I am grateful 
for the many contributions the church has made in and around the 
Rochester, New York area. Today, I ask that my colleagues pause with me 
to honor the legacy of one of America's greatest parishes: The St. 
Casimir's Polish National Catholic Church of Rochester, New York. I am 
greatly honored to join many others in congratulating St. Casimir's for 
90 years of service to humanity.