(c) - Saint Adalbert Basilica
HISTORY
The authoritative rule of the Rev. Jan Pitass at St. Stanislaus, was not to
everyone's liking. Those who had different views and those who resided further
from the church complex sought permission to establish a second Polish parish in
buffalo. This was not to Pitass' approval nor that of the Bishop, Stephan Ryan.
After an ill fated attempt to build another church failed, Vatican intervention
was sought and successfully. In Sept of 1886, Bishop Ryan appointed Rev Antoni
Klawitter, of St. Stanislaus a new parish which was named for the Polish saint,
Adalbert. the first pastor a most colorful personality had envisioned a social
complex for the new parish and its property. When a suspicious fire destroyed
the church, the disillusioned Klawitter left the area, heading West. For the
next six years a continual change of pastors came to the young parish. The far
reaching arm of Jan Pitass brought about a rapid succession of priests. In 1895,
the young Tomasz Flaczek, a fellow Silesian, was appointed pastor. This
appointment so infuriated the parishioners of St. Adalbert to that protests
which turned to violent, bloody brawls. The young pastor was threatened and
sought refuge at St. Stanislaus until it was safe for him to return to his
parish. Those dissatisfied organized and built another church just a block away,
calling it, Holy mother of the Rosary. Their former pastor and founder of St.
Adalbert was asked to take charge of the parish. Since this was done without
diocesan approval the Bishop would not bless the church or the congregation.
This parish became one of the many Independent churches that sprang up in this
time period in several Polish American conclaves.
The eventful and long pastorate of Rev. Flaczek ended in 1926. During his term
many improvements and successes occurred. A new and modern brick schoolhouse was
built to accommodate the over 1,000 students, as well as a new rectory. A native
son of the parish, Jozef Mazur, an ecclesiastical painter, decorated the church.
Stained glass windows were imported from Germany and installed. A rare and
special designation bestowed on the parish occurred in 1907, when the Vatican
proclaimed St. Adalbert a basilica, the first in the USA. Upon the death of Rev.
Flaczek, Franciszek Kaluzny became pastor. The magnificent main altar of
imported marble was installed with funds left the parish for this purpose in the
last will of Fr. Flaczek. Rev Kaluzny was a talented author and devoted much
time to his writing besides conduction devotional ceremonies in the parish.
Following the Second World War, the parish began to notice the younger families
leaving the Eastside and by 1970 the effect became considerable. The once Polish
stronghold was becoming less Polish and more a minority neighborhood. The shift
in population not only brought about the closing of the parish school but also
saw the establishment of a parish outreach center serving the needs of the whole
neighborhood. The Felician Sisters, involved for so long in the parish life took
on a new ministry. The Rev. Msgr Joseph Stelmach improved to the parish property
and purchased more land for the parish cemetery. Under the leadership of pastor,
Joseph Bialy, the parish observed its centennial. Upon his death, the Rev
Tadeusz Bocianowski, a native of Poland, became pastor.