LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 100th Anniversary of St. Augus-
tine Parish of Depew, New York, to be celebrated on May 24, 2009

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 takes pleasure in commemorating the
100th Anniversary of St. Augustine Parish of Depew, New York; and
WHEREAS, The congregants of St. Augustine Parish will celebrate this
most auspicious occasion at a Mass to be held on Sunday, May 24, 2009,
which will be followed by a celebratory dinner at Hearthstone Manor in
Depew, New York; and
WHEREAS, In response to the earnest appeal of the Polish American
group consisting of approximately 200 families residing in the southern
portion of the relatively new village of Depew, New York, Bishop Charles
Colton instituted the establishment of St. Augustine Parish by appoint-
ing Reverend Anthony Majewski as pastor on May 26, 1909; and
WHEREAS, The first services of the church were held in Dworzanowski
Hall; however, 15 lots were purchased on Penora Street between Gould
Avenue and Terrace Boulevard; simultaneously, plans were being completed
by architect, Karol Zawadzki, for a combination Church and School with
conversion features; and
WHEREAS, On August 29, 1909, a procession composed of members of the
parish societies and organizations progressed to the building site where
Bishop Charles Colton, assisted by 19 priests, laid the cornerstone of
the new church and school; and
WHEREAS, Father Majewski secured four Felician Sisters for the 150
pupils enrolled in the new school, which was dedicated on June 19, 1910;
the first steps of establishing a parish were completed on June 27,
1915, and the Reverend Anthony Majewski was transferred to St. Casimir
in Buffalo; and
WHEREAS, As the need for more space in both the church and school
became more apparent, it was decided to convert the existing building
into a school and build a basement with an overhead structure to serve
as a church; the construction was designed in such a manner that it
would permit the latter erection of a permanent superstructure very
easily; and
WHEREAS, Ground for the new project was broken on June 17, 1917, and
the huge crowd assembled was addressed by the Pastor Reverend Matthew P.
Tymek; and
WHEREAS, In 1919, the parish acquired 30 acres of land in the Town of
Lancaster, becoming the only Depew Parish to have its own cemetery; and
WHEREAS, Upon Pastor Tymek's death in 1929, the Reverend John Glazik
acted as administrator of the parish until February 28, 1929, when
Reverend Stanislaus Ogrodowicz, a native of Depew was appointed Pastor;
and
WHEREAS, On May 27, 1934, a celebration of the 25th Anniversary of the
parish was begun with a solemn High Mass; the Reverend Anthony Majewski,
founder of the parish, delivered the sermon; and
WHEREAS, The construction of the Grotto, in 1937, was another high-
light in the parish's distinguished history; the Grotto was dedicated on
Sunday, August 15, 1937, by Monsignor Francis Kasprzak; he was assisted
by Pastor Reverend Stanley Ogrodowicz and Reverend Maximilian Bogacki, a
former assistant at St. Augustine; and

WHEREAS, Pastor Ogrodowicz had the challenging task of leading the
members of St. Augustine Parish through the times of World War II; he
did so with much grace and an infinite amount of faith; on June 3, 1948,
death overcame the beloved pastor, who will forever be remembered for
his love and devotion to his congregants and servicemen; and
WHEREAS, On August 5, 1948, the Rt. Reverend Bishop John F. O'Hara
appointed Reverend Vincent P. Dudek as Pastor; and
WHEREAS, Tragedy struck the St. Augustine Parish when fire swept
through the sacristy on Sunday, February 18, 1951; at midnight, with the
aid of firemen, Reverend Joseph Kuczka was able to save and remove the
chalices and monstrance; however, much damage was done and for almost
three years Sunday Mass was held either at the Polish Depew Club or
outdoors in front of the Grotto; and
WHEREAS, On June 8, 1952, Reverend Ignatius Wojciechowski was
installed as Pastor and he immediately organized a building committee;
work on the new church began in August of 1952, and the cornerstone was
laid on July 12, 1953; and
WHEREAS, On December 20, 1953, the new church was dedicated by his
Excellency, Rt. Rev. Bishop Joseph A. Burke, who was assisted by Pastor
Reverend Wojciechowski, and the Assistant Pastor Reverend Henry Stachew-
icz, as well as many other members of clergy; and
WHEREAS, On June 14, 1959, a Pontifical Mass was celebrated by Rt.
Reverend Joseph Burke; he was assisted by Reverend Wojciechowski, Rever-
end Kuczka, Reverend Waligora, Reverend Lubacz, Reverend Stachewicz, and
Reverend Krajewski; shortly afterwards, Pastor Wojciechowski was
elevated to Monsignor; and
WHEREAS, The Reverend Msgr. Wojciechowski announced his retirement on
July 2, 1961, and was appointed Pastor Emeritus; the Reverend Henry
Stachewicz was appointed administrator and served until September 6,
1961, when Reverend John Glazik was installed as Pastor; and
WHEREAS, During this time school registration was soaring so much so
that a new school building was needed; accordingly, groundbreaking cere-
monies for a new school adjoined by a new convent took place on June 3,
1965; two months later on the feast of St. Augustine, August 28th, the
Most Reverend James A. McNulty, Bishop of the Diocese of Buffalo,
blessed the new school; and
WHEREAS, Following the death of Pastor Reverend John Glazik, the
Reverend Edwin J. Fagowski was installed as the new Pastor on October
26, 1967; and
WHEREAS, The year 1968 began a time of change in the Roman Catholic
Church as a result of the updating by Vatican II Council; the new Altar
of Sacrifice, facing the congregation was purchased and Mass would now
be celebrated in English with lay lectors proclaiming the Word of God;
and
WHEREAS, The Diamond Jubilee celebration of the St. Augustine's Parish
transpired from September 30, 1984, until October 7, 1984; and
WHEREAS, Reverend Monsignor Henry Stachewicz, who had previously
served St. Augustine for 13 years as its Assistant Pastor, returned to
the congregation as Pastor and Monsignor on February 16, 1991; he faith-
fully served until August 31, 1997; and
WHEREAS, Under Monsignor Stachewicz's direction, the church interior
was redecorated, along with color enhancement of the Last Supper at the
Altar of Sacrfice, framing of Stations of the Cross and purchase of the
angels from Italy that guard the Tabernacle; additionally, the interior
of the rectory was redecorated and updated; and
WHEREAS, In September of 1997, Reverend Conrad P. Stachowiak was
appointed Pastor of St. Augustine Parish; and

WHEREAS, Under the faithful leadership of Reverend Stachowiak, St.
Augustine Parish stands on the threshold of tomorrow, prepared to meet
the challenges of the coming decades while retaining that spiritual
resolve which characterizes its 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 100th Anniversary of St. Augustine Parish of Depew, New
York, to be observed on May 24, 2009, fully confident that this commem-
oration reflects the 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 tran-
smitted to Reverend Ronald Baginski, who is the current Administrator of
St. Augustine Parish, Depew, New York.