St. Stanislaus Bishop & Martyr's Parish, Chicopee
Encyclopedia
St. Stanislaus Bishop & Martyr's Parish - designated for Polish immigrants
in Chicopee, Massachusetts
, United States
.
appointed Fr. Franciszek Chalupka
spiritual adviser to the group responsible for organizing the new parishes and entrusted him with organizing a new St. Stanislaus Parish in Chicopee, Massachusetts
for Polish immigrants.
In 1902, the Franciscans
of the Province of St. Anthony of Padua, took over the parish.
On July 7, 1991 during the parish's centennial celebrations, Pope John Paul II raised the status of our church to a "minor basilica
".
Mass was celebrated by Fr. Franciszek Chalupka
in 1891 in an unfinished church. The church was not only the first church in the St. Stanislaus Bishop & Martyr's Parish, but also the first Polish-American church in the western part of Massachusetts
.
was built in 1908 on the Front St.
Impressive size, in the Baroque Revival Style cathedral-like style, with brown stone, is considered one of the most impressive churches in the area. Spacious interior can accommodate about 800 parishioners in the main and two side naves. In 1920, the pipe organ has been installed. Basilica adorned with beautiful stained glass theme. The walls between the stained-glass windows on the first level, covered with Stations of the Cross
. Artistically carved and painted figures are placed in small niches. The architect for this church was Reiley and Steinback
of New York.
as well as for other services. A large collection of relics in reliquaries is displayed in special-built cabinets near the sacristy.
Polish American
A Polish American , is a citizen of the United States of Polish descent. There are an estimated 10 million Polish Americans, representing about 3.2% of the population of the United States...
in Chicopee, Massachusetts
Chicopee, Massachusetts
Chicopee is a city located on the Connecticut River in Hampden County, Massachusetts, United States of America. It is part of the Springfield, Massachusetts Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 55,298, making it the second largest city in...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
- Founded 1891. It is one of the Polish-American Roman Catholic parishes in New EnglandPolish-American Roman Catholic parishes in New England- Resources :# Dolores A. Liptak, "The Bishops of Hartford and the New Immigrants ", U.S. Catholic Historian, Vol. 1, No. 2 , pp. 37-53.# The Official Catholic Directory in USA# # # # # # # # # # # # # #...
in the Diocese of Springfield in MassachusettsRoman Catholic Diocese of Springfield in MassachusettsThe Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield in Massachusetts is an ecclesiastical territory or diocese of the Roman Catholic Church in the New England region of the United States comprising the counties of Berkshire, Franklin, Hampshire, and Hampden in the state of Massachusetts. It is led by...
.
History
In 1890 the Bishop Patrick O'ReillyPatrick O'Reilly
Patrick O'Reilly may refer to:*Patrick O'Reilly , Irish independent politician from Cavan*Patrick O'Reilly , Irish Fianna Fáil politician, member of the Senate, 1944–69...
appointed Fr. Franciszek Chalupka
Franciszek Chalupka
Fr. Franciszek Chalupka - founder of the first Polish-American parishes in New England.Chalupka was born in Austria-Hungary. He completed his classical studies in Poland and on March 25, 1884 arrived in the United States....
spiritual adviser to the group responsible for organizing the new parishes and entrusted him with organizing a new St. Stanislaus Parish in Chicopee, Massachusetts
Chicopee, Massachusetts
Chicopee is a city located on the Connecticut River in Hampden County, Massachusetts, United States of America. It is part of the Springfield, Massachusetts Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 55,298, making it the second largest city in...
for Polish immigrants.
In 1902, the Franciscans
Conventual Franciscans
The Order of Friars Minor Conventual , commonly known as the Conventual Franciscans, is a branch of the order of Catholic Friars founded by Francis of Assisi in 1209.-History:...
of the Province of St. Anthony of Padua, took over the parish.
On July 7, 1991 during the parish's centennial celebrations, Pope John Paul II raised the status of our church to a "minor basilica
Basilica
The Latin word basilica , was originally used to describe a Roman public building, usually located in the forum of a Roman town. Public basilicas began to appear in Hellenistic cities in the 2nd century BC.The term was also applied to buildings used for religious purposes...
".
Church
First, the wooden church of St. Stanislaus Bishop & Martyr, was in the place where now stands a parochial St. Stanislaus School. First Christmas EveChristmas Eve
Christmas Eve refers to the evening or entire day preceding Christmas Day, a widely celebrated festival commemorating the birth of Jesus of Nazareth that takes place on December 25...
Mass was celebrated by Fr. Franciszek Chalupka
Franciszek Chalupka
Fr. Franciszek Chalupka - founder of the first Polish-American parishes in New England.Chalupka was born in Austria-Hungary. He completed his classical studies in Poland and on March 25, 1884 arrived in the United States....
in 1891 in an unfinished church. The church was not only the first church in the St. Stanislaus Bishop & Martyr's Parish, but also the first Polish-American church in the western part of Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
.
Second church
To accommodate the growing number of parishioners, the second churchBasilica of St. Stanislaus, Chicopee
The Basilica of St. Stanislaus is a Roman Catholic minor basilica dedicated to Stanislaus of Szczepanów located in Chicopee, Massachusetts. The church is under the circumscription of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield in Massachusetts and serves St. Stanislaus Bishop & Martyr's Parish. ...
was built in 1908 on the Front St.
Impressive size, in the Baroque Revival Style cathedral-like style, with brown stone, is considered one of the most impressive churches in the area. Spacious interior can accommodate about 800 parishioners in the main and two side naves. In 1920, the pipe organ has been installed. Basilica adorned with beautiful stained glass theme. The walls between the stained-glass windows on the first level, covered with Stations of the Cross
Stations of the Cross
Stations of the Cross refers to the depiction of the final hours of Jesus, and the devotion commemorating the Passion. The tradition as chapel devotion began with St...
. Artistically carved and painted figures are placed in small niches. The architect for this church was Reiley and Steinback
Robert J. Reiley
Robert J. Reiley, AIA, was an American architect practicing in New York City in the early and mid twentieth century. He was particularly known as a designer of Roman Catholic churches, schools, and hospitals in the Northeast USA....
of New York.
Lower church
Style of the lower church is more contemporary. The Church is used daily for Masses, Confession, for the Exposition and Adoration of the Blessed SacramentBlessed Sacrament
The Blessed Sacrament, or the Body and Blood of Christ, is a devotional name used in the Roman Catholic Church, Eastern Catholic Churches, Old Catholic, Anglican, and Lutheran churches, to refer to the Host after it has been consecrated in the sacrament of the Eucharist...
as well as for other services. A large collection of relics in reliquaries is displayed in special-built cabinets near the sacristy.
External links
- St. Stanislaus Bishop & Martyr's - Diocesan information
- St. Stanislaus Bishop & Martyr's - ParishesOnline.com
- St. Stanislaus Bishop & Martyr's - TheCatholicDirectory.com
- St. Stanislaus Basilica: Photo Gallery by The Catholic Photographer