St. Mary's Church (South River, New Jersey) facts for kids

St. Mary's Church
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
Location in Middlesex County, New Jersey Show map of Middlesex County, New Jersey Location in New Jersey Show map of New Jersey Location in the United States Show map of the United States
Location	Jct. of Jackson Street and Whitehead Avenue, South River, New Jersey
Area	0.3 acres (0.12 ha)
Built	1904
Architect	Dagit, Henry Dandurand
Architectural style	Romanesque
NRHP reference No.	03001276
Quick facts for kids Significant dates
Added to NRHP	December 10, 2003

St. Mary of Ostrabrama is a historic Polish Roman Catholic church. It is located where Jackson Street and Whitehead Avenue meet in South River, Middlesex County, New Jersey.

This church was built in 1904. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on December 10, 2003. This means it is recognized as an important historical site.

History of St. Mary's Church

Polish Immigrants and Their Dream

In the late 1800s, many Polish immigrants came to the South River and Sayreville areas. The men often found jobs in brickyards. The women worked in factories, often as needle operators.

At first, they went to Our Lady of Victories, the only Catholic church nearby. However, the Polish community wanted their own church. They wished to worship in their native language. They also wanted to provide schooling for their children. Most importantly, they wanted to continue their family traditions.

In 1897, representatives from 252 families asked the Bishop of Trenton for permission. They had 445 children. Sadly, this first request was not approved.

Building a New Parish

The community worked hard for many years. They kept talking with the Bishop. Finally, on November 2, 1902, Bishop McFaul said yes. He approved the plan to start a new church. This is how Our Lady of Ostrabrama parish began.

In December 1902, Father Joseph Regorowicz was chosen. He became the first pastor of St. Mary's. The very first church service for the new parish was held. It took place in the Bohi factory on Water Street on December 16, 1902.

Construction of the Church

In the spring of 1903, a permanent spot for the new church was chosen. It was the corner of Jackson Street and Whitehead Avenue. The land was bought for $2100. Construction of the new church started a few months later.

Even after working long hours, the men of the church helped. They used shovels and pickaxes. They dug the ground for the church's foundation. In less than a year, the basement had a roof. Church services then began to be held inside the new building. In April 1905, the church also bought a six-acre plot. This land became the parish cemetery.

Pastors and Parish Growth

Father John Supenski's Work

Father John Supenski became the second pastor of St. Mary's. His main job was to finish building the church. Until then, only the basement level was complete. The cost to finish was about $4500. Another $3000 was needed for beautiful stained glass windows. Bishop McFaul officially blessed the church on October 11, 1908.

Father John Pawlowski's Contributions

Father John Pawlowski was the third pastor. During his time, St. Mary's started its own parochial school. The Felician sisters taught in four classrooms. These classrooms were in the church basement. Also, a large white main altar was installed during this period.

Father Francis Czarnecki and Music

Under the fourth pastor, Father Francis Czarnecki, the church bought its first organ. Before this, accordions provided music for services. In September 1919, five lots were purchased. They were at the corner of Jackson Street and Holmes Avenue. These lots were for a new school building.

Father John Budzink and New School Construction

Father John Budzink became the fifth pastor. He started building the new school on June 17, 1927.

Monsignor Maximilian Wujek's Long Service

On November 24, 1928, Father Maximilian Wujek became the sixth pastor. He had studied construction in Poland. This helped him supervise many building projects for the church. He served St. Mary's for 41 years!

During his time, a convent for the Bernadine sisters was built in 1940. A CYO building was put up in 1960. An extra wing was added to the school. This wing included a new cafeteria and four classrooms. Father Wujek was given the special title of Monsignor in 1938 by Pope Pius XI. He retired in June 1969.

Father Michael Kseniak's Renovations

The seventh pastor was Father Michael Kseniak. He had worked with Monsignor Wujek earlier. Father Kseniak made many improvements to the school. He added carpet to classrooms and bought new desks. He also made the school library bigger.

In 1970, there was a fire. After the fire, the whole building was fixed up. Air conditioning was installed. St. Anne's Chapel was built in the basement. New bells were put in the church tower. Father Kseniak also built a new rectory (the priest's house) in 1979. He became a Monsignor in June 1986. He served St. Mary's until February 1987.

Father Vincent Nebus and Structural Repairs

Father Vincent Nebus became the eighth pastor in March 1987. A big project he oversaw was installing an elevator in the church. He also had to fix damage to the church from its age and the earlier fire.

Under his leadership, the inside walls of the church were redone. Most of the outside stone was removed and replaced. The chimney on the north side was taken down and repaired. All the copper parts, like the small bell tower and drainpipes, were replaced with new copper. A special image of Our Lady of Czestochowa was also prepared and blessed. Father Nebus retired in 1996.

Father Robert L. Weil's Short Tenure

Reverend Robert L. Weil became the ninth pastor in 1996. Father Bob served for less than two years. He continued the important repair work. The Chapel of St. Anne was painted. It also got new lighting and window coverings. He added the statue of St. Joseph, which is now in the upper church. Father Bob left in 1998.

Father Stanley G. Gromadzki's Restorations

Bishop Vincent de Paul Breen assigned Reverend Stanley G. Gromadzki to be the church's Administrator. Father Stan started this role on June 9, 1998. He officially became St. Mary's tenth Pastor on September 8, 1999.

Father Stan immediately began important repairs in the school building. New floors were put in. Classrooms were painted, and fans were bought. The school auditorium, which had not been used for many years, was fixed up. He also worked to restore the entire lower level of the church. This included updating the Senior's Room and the Music Room.

During his time, St. Mary's celebrated its 100th birthday (Centennial). Father Stan helped plan this big event. He also made sure the church looked great for this special celebration. After 14 years at St. Mary's, Reverend Stanley G. Gromadzki moved to Sacred Heart Church in South Amboy on June 12, 2012.

Father Michael J. Gromadzki

Most Reverend Paul G. Bootkoski, the fourth Bishop of Metuchen, then appointed Reverend Michael J. Gromadzki as Pastor of St. Mary's Church. Interestingly, Reverend Michael J. Gromadzki is the younger brother of Reverend Stanley G. Gromadzki. They are the first two brothers to serve as pastors in the Diocese of Metuchen.