Senate Resolution No. 1335

BY: Senator GRIFFO

COMMEMORATING the 125th Anniversary of Holy
Trinity Church of Utica, New York

WHEREAS, Religious institutions, and the many spiritual, social and
educational benefits they confer, play a vital role in the development
of the moral fabric of a responsible citizenry; and

WHEREAS, It is the tradition of this State and this Nation to pay
tribute to those institutions and individuals who have contributed to
the ethical and spiritual values of their communities; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commemorate the
125th Anniversary of Holy Trinity Church of Utica, New York; and

WHEREAS, The history of Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Church in Utica,
New York began in October of 1894 when 82 families and individuals
contributed a sum of 79 dollars toward a future Parish and Church to
serve Polish Immigrants to the Utica Area; and

WHEREAS, Well before 1889, Polish families began to arrive in Utica
from a Poland which was dismembered by three neighboring nations; and

WHEREAS, The Polish immigrants entering the Utica area worked in
local factories and foundries seeking a better life for themselves and
their children; above all, they desired to live and preserve their
Catholic Faith and Polish Culture and to share it with future
generations; and

WHEREAS, With this in mind, the St. Stanislaus Society, a fraternal
aid society dedicated to their great Polish Patron was established in
1889, and would be the foundation upon which the future parish and
church was built; and

WHEREAS, This Society endeavored to seek out and invite
Polish-speaking Priests to come to Utica as they were able, especially
during Lent and Easter; after the initial offering of 79 dollars in
1894, monthly collections continued and in August of 1896, the Saint
Stanislaus Society purchased a tract of land along with a wooden frame
building on Chenango Avenue; Chenango Avenue became Lincoln Avenue, the
current address of the church; and

WHEREAS, In October of 1896, the deed to this property was turned
over to the Syracuse Diocese and Bishop Patrick Ludden, who was named
the first Bishop of the new Syracuse Diocese 10 years earlier; he
assured the people he would honor their request for a priest to serve
them in their own Polish language; and

WHEREAS, Two months later, on December 23, 1886, Father Simon Pniak
arrived in Utica as the new pastor; his first Mass was celebrated on
Christmas Day in the St. John's School Hall on Burnet Street since the
small frame building was still being converted into a modest chapel,
rectory and office; one week later, on the Sunday after Christmas, 60

families attended the first Mass celebrated in this new little wooden
church; and

WHEREAS, On March 25, 1897, Holy Trinity Church was legally
incorporated, and on September 19th of this same year, the cornerstone
for a larger church was laid and blessed by Bishop Ludden; and

WHEREAS, Due to events in Poland and the favorable opportunities for
employment in Utica, more Polish immigrants began to settle in the area
and the Parish began to raise more funds and make plans for a larger
church; and

WHEREAS, During the summer of 1905, groundbreaking took place for a
new granite church; on July 15, 1906, Bishop Ludden laid the cornerstone
of this, Holy Trinity's present church, and at the same time confirmed a
class of 500 children and spoke to the 2,000 people who gathered that
glorious day; and

WHEREAS, Today, Holy Trinity Church remains committed to proclaim
the gospel message of Jesus Christ as a Roman Catholic community of
faith, by promoting a sense of commitment to the church, encouraging
divine worship and prayer, fostering evangelization and nurturing the
spirit of service; and

WHEREAS, Within the context of its Polish-American religious and
cultural heritage, Holy Trinity Church truly fosters its traditions and
continues to aspire to personal growth in faith; furthermore, this vital
institution is determined to develop its vision for the future, to
educate the children in Christian values and to be receptive to the
creative and saving grace of the Blessed Trinity, Father, Son and
Spirit; and

WHEREAS, Under the luminous direction of Father John E. Mikalajunas,
Holy Trinity Church now stands on the threshold of tomorrow, prepared to
meet the challenges of the coming decades, while retaining that
spiritual resolve which has so characterized its glorious past; and

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to take note of
enduring religious institutions and to bring such institutions to the
attention of the people of this Empire State; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 125th Anniversary of Holy Trinity Church of Utica, New
York, confident that this commemoration reflects our belief in those
values which enhance the dignity and purpose of life; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Father John E. Mikalajunas, Holy Trinity Church.