Church History

• 1834 - First Polish immigrants in St. Louis 1870 - Three hundred Polish immigrants
• 1878 - The Archdiocese of St. Louis granted permission to establish a Polish Parish and build the first Polish Church in St. Louis.
• 1880 - The cornerstone of St. Stanislaus was blessed.
• 1928 - The church survived a fire which destroyed the center dome of the original structure.
• 1950's - The Polish community continued to gather at St. Stanislaus Kostka even though Poles moved to other neighborhoods in the years following World War II. The St. Louis Polonia was enriched by a new generation of immigrants in the1950's and another in the 1980's following the formation of the Solidarity movement.
• October 1969 - On October 18, 1969 an unforgettable event happened in the life of the parish, then Cardinal Karol Wojtyla, now better known as Pope John Paul II, visited and blessed St. Stanislaus. The warmth, love, and compelling personality of the future Pontiff, on this occasion created a great impression on all those present. The bond between the Polish Motherland and the Poles of St. Louis were cemented even further by this most generous of all spirits.
• Early 1970's - Another important chapter in the history of the parish began. For almost two decades the neighborhoods around St. Stanislaus had been deteriorating. The church itself was badly in need of repairs. But once again the faith and the generosity of the parishioners and friends of St. Stanislaus, the pastor and Board of Directors began the long and often difficult task of restoring the church. With the support of parishioners, the Church Council, other Polish organizations and help from others in the community, fund raising began in earnest. Through the grace of God, hard work, self reliance, and dedication it was possible to raise enough money for the physical restoration of the church, which was completed in tme for the centennial year celebration. St. Stanislaus Kostka Polish Roman Catholic Church was beautifully restored to its condition as of 1930.
• 1976 - St. Stanislaus Kostka was recognized as a City Landmark.
• 1979 - The church was placed on the National Register of Historic places.
• 1980 - St. Stanislaus celebrated its Centennial aniversary.
• 1980's - The St. Louis Polonia community is enriched with another new generation following the formation of the Solidarity moverment.
• 2003 - In July of that year Archbishop Justin Rigali notified the Board of Directors that the Archdiocese wanted to take control of the financial assets and property of Saint Stanislaus. As a result of Archbishops Rigali, and Burke trying to gain control of all the assets, the Board of Directors and Parishioners have been in a struggle to preserve not only Saint Stanislaus, but also our Polish Heritage.
• 2004 - As negotiations between the Archdiocese of Saint Louis and Saint Stanislaus Parish were taking place the priests stationed here abandoned the Parish by the order of the Archbishop on August 4, leaving the Parish without sacramental ministry.
• 2005 - Despite many efforts to solve the property dispute with the Archdiocese, which involves administrative rules only and not dogmas or morals, Saint Stanislaus was left without a priest and sacraments for over seventeen months. Upon receiving the approval of the Parish vote, the Board of Directors began the search for a priest courageous enough to minister to Saint Stanislaus parishioners with or without the Archbishop’s permission. On December 2, Father Marek B. Bozek from the neighboring Springfield – Cape Girardeau diocese was hired to be our Pastor. On December 16, both the Pastor and the members of the Board of Directors were excommunicated by Archbishop Burke and all Catholics were warned that participation in any services in Saint Stanislaus constitutes a mortal sin. On December 24, the first Mass was offered in our church in over seventeen months, the Christmas Midnight Mass. Over two thousand people gathered to celebrate the birth of Jesus and rebirth of our Parish. Appeal against excommunication was filed with the Holy See.
• Today - The Parish is alive again and experiences dynamic growth. Thanks be to God!