USA > Minnesota > Morrison County > History of Morrison and Todd counties, Minnesota, their people, industries and institutions, Volume I > Part 22
USA > Minnesota > Todd County > History of Morrison and Todd counties, Minnesota, their people, industries and institutions, Volume I > Part 22
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POLISH PARISH OF ST. JOSEPH AT BROWERVILLE.
The following account of St. Joseph's parish is based on inquiries from old parishioners and church documents written by Rev. J. Guzdek, while
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the history of the development of the parish is written by Sister Avellina Mrozla.
Soon after 1872 the Poles began to arrive from Europe, especially Silesia, and colonize the forest regions about the then little settlement of Long Prairie, at present the county seat of Todd county.
It is probable the deceased Joseph Wieszalla was the first settler in the locality of Long Prairie. The life of the pioneers was very similar to that of the primitive. The immigrants brought with them only the most necessary household articles and thus were forced to seek their livelihood amid the then vast and wild forest of America.
EARLY IMMIGRANTS.
Between the years 1874 and 1880 the number of Polish immigrants increased when the following families arrived: Jon, Marcinczyk, Galus, Miodek, Dudek, Baron, Feist, Gurzenda, Hosalla, Lamuzga, Bartylla, Berczyk, Wrobel, Buhl, Stach, Ulik, Lyson, Cygan, Mocko, Poplinski, Mun- dry, Kulig and Gonsior.
Soon after came: Kurtz, Goligowski, Jambor, Kubica, Hennek, Swoda, Golla, Pietron, Kotula, Konieczko, Kaluza, Jakubik, Sowa, Jaglo, Gersten- berger, Adamiec, Worzecha, Lisowski, Janikula, Janiecki, Boruszewski, Jarosz, Rogalski, Kolodziej, Drong, Knosalla, Maj Marzke, Murgas, Gaffka, Giza, Wodarz, Nanik, Ostrowski, Przybytta, Smialek, Twardowski, Wierzgata, Gwozdz and others who are still living here today. Many of these have died and are survived by their children.
The Polish people are strongly attached to the faith of their forefa- thers; hence on finding themselves to be quite a community deprived of religious consolations they, with the aid of some German Catholic settlers, resolved to build a small church so as to have a place of worship.
At that time the diocese of St. Cloud was only vicar apostolic of north- ern Minnesota under the spiritual guidance of Bishop Rupert Seidenbusch, O. S. B., who died in 1895. To him a Polish-German delegation had recourse petitioning for advice and permission regarding the erection of the church.
FIRST CHURCH ORGANIZED.
The bishop gave his consent, promising to send a priest as soon as they completed the church. A meeting was called on March 5, 1883, in
ST JOSEPH'S CATHOLIC CHURCH GOOD. BROWERVILLE
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--
ST. JOSEFIT'S CATHOLIC CHURCH (New). BROWERVILLE.
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Whitesel's school house, in Hardford township, for the purpose of plan- ning the erection of the building and electing a board of officers.
They elected John Marcinczyk, Jolın Bartylla, Peter Lamuzga, Thomas Feist, Ignatius Baron, John Stevens, with Joseph Cygan and Jolin Becker as advisors. The building committee consisted of Joseph Luke, John Stev- ens, Peter Hermes, Thomas Feist, John Bartylla, Ignatius Baron, Peter Lamuzga, and John Becker.
Furthermore they decided to form a church society which was to be the foundation of the newly organized parish. This society was to provide lumber and other building materials of which each member was to bring three loads. These resolutions were signed by the following: John Becker, Peter Lamuzga, Joseph Jon, Ignatius Baron, Thomas Feist, John Stevens, Frank Lamuzga, John Schneider, Mathias Hager, Joseph Gonsior, Francis Bartylla, John Bartylla, Martin Usobel, Thomas Mocko, Joseph Poplinski, Albert Lyson, Joseph Cygan, Joseph Luke, Francis Miodek, and Peter Fischer.
DONATIONS FOR TIIE CHURCH.
Apart from the German members, who numbered about thirty, among whom were Joseph Luke, Matthias Hager, Joseph Hermes, Peter Hermes, J. C. Borgert, William Disselbrett, Henry Dreimann, Barney Brever, Peter Fischer, John Schneider, J. B. Benning, Thomas Laidlaw, Joseph Woell, Henry Spieker, Lorence Shower, the Poles gave their first offerings for the building of the church and may justly be reckoned the founders of the parish of St. Joseph.
They donated as follows: John Marcinczyk, $30; Thomas Feist, $31; Martin Wrobel $20; Rochus Czech, $30; Francis Miodek, $20; Francis Buhl, $15; Stanley Kulig, $30; Frederic Poplinski, $20; Joseph Cygan, $30; Thomas Mundry, $10; Joseph Gonsior, $30; Albert Lyson, $25; Peter La- muzga, $25; Joseph Jon, $30; Thomas Mocko, $30; Norbert Mocko, $30; Francis Bartylla, $30; Stanely Stach, $20; Rochus Kolodziej, $10; John Bartylla, $30; John Cygan, $10; Ignatius Baron, $30; Joseph Poplinski. $20; John Warzecha, $10; Louis Pollak, $10; Michael Ulik, $10.
This netted $600. The Germans offered an equal sum, and together with about $100 donated by individuals of other denominations made a total of $1,304.35. D. R. Jackson made the plan at the cost of $22.50. The building thus erected was a common frame building without a steeple, cost- ing about $1,500.
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The people rejoiced on seeing the structure completed. Taking into consideration the financial circumstances of those days the offerings made for God's honor were very liberal.
DEDICATION.
The church, though not then completed, was dedicated and given under the patronage of St. Joseph, patron saint of Joseph Cygan, then a trustee. The following year, March 5, 1884, the parishioners again held a meeting in the Whitesel's school house at which they elected a standing church com- mittee in the persons of Joseph Cygan, John Marcinczyk, John F. Becker and Joseph Luke. Further it was resolved that no pew rent be paid but all pay equally ; those not having money were to give notes in order to pay the remaining church debt. The meeting was attended by eighteen Poles and four Germans, while the entire parish consisted of fifty-seven families, thirty Polish and twenty-seven German families.
PASTORS OF ST. JOSEPH'S.
Because of the lack of Polish clergy Bishop Siedenbush appointed Rev. Ignatius Tomazin, a Slavonian, who began to conduct regular services in 1884; however, being a Slavonian, he could not satisfy the demands of the Polish speaking people, consequently the bishop removed him. During the year 1885 the parish was only a mission, attended monthly by Rev. Urban Fischer, O. S. B., of Collegeville.
In 1886 Rev. Clement Gruenholtz, a Pole, was made permanent pas- tor. His pastorate was of short duration and in 1887 the parish again became a mission, alternately attended by Rev. John Sroka, Rev. C. A. Gunkel, Rev. John Studnicki, Rev. P. Chowaniec, Rev. Vincent Schiffers, O. S. B., Rev. Gregory Steil, O. S. B., when in 1887 Rev. J. Studnicki became pastor and remained until his death in May, 1887.
REV. METHODIUS SLATINSKI.
The vacancy was filled by the valiant Rev. Methodius Slatinski, who though a Bohemian, knew enough Polish to administer to the people. His pastorate was of most notable importance to the history of the church of St. Joseph at Bowerville. It was due to his energy that the first Polish paro-
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chial school was built in the St. Cloud diocese. He fully understood the harmful influence of the American religious indifference on the Catholic young generation. In his great undertaking he was morally supported by the noble Rt. Rev. Otto Zardetti, who was consecrated and nominated bishop of the newly organized diocese of St. Cloud.
It was during Rev. M. Slatinski's administration that the parish began to flourish. The church was equipped with richer vestments, chalices, statu- ary, etc. John Marcinczyk was the donor of a chalice costing thirty-five dollars and forty-five cents. A. Lukas, Martin Wrobel, Frank Buhl and John Marcinczyk donated a fifty-dollar canopy.
SCHOOL OF HOLY ANGELS.
The school question was first seriously considered in the year 1890. Two committees were appointed; one committee, consisting of Henry Becker, William Disselbrett, James Bake, John Lucas, John Marcinczyk and Martin Wrobel, was enjoined with the duty of collecting due bills and defraying the church debt; the other committee, consisting of Peter Hermes, Thomas Feist, Francis Miodek and Frederic Poplinski, was to raise a fund for the purpose of erecting a school.
Rev. M. Slatinski encouraged his parishioners to take interest in the noble work. The erection of the school building would have been an easy task had it not been for certain individuals whose aim in life is always to play the cockle in a field of grain. The parish was composed mostly of European immigrants, used to a different school and church supporting system, where the government has under its protection and care the financial church and school affairs.
NEW CUSTOMS LEARNED IN AMERICA.
The people seemed not aware of the fact that the "fides" and school tithes formed a part of the taxes they paid in the old country. Here in America the direct contribution towards the support of church and school was new, a blow on purses they thought. The more learned and honest men admitted the theory, as it was explained, namely, that the financial affairs: of the church had nothing in common with the government, and, therefore, the church must, of necessity, support itself.
These unfavorable circumstances served the ignorant and malicious kickers as good pretext for sowing strife and discord, and as a natural result
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great agitation was stirred up the moment Rev. M. Slatinski began to build. Work on the building was rushed and the school completed in 1891. The money raised by voluntary contributions was insufficient and the pastor was forced to demand of his parishioners to sign notes against their will. This act created great dissatisfaction, which resulted in the division of the parish into two parties.
TROUBLOUS TIMES.
Among the parishioners those of good understanding saw there was no other way but to pay cash or sign a note in order not to undermine the parish's solid foundation. Others, being dissatisfied and overcome by inimi- cal hatred for all authority, turned away from the church. The uproar became so manifest that Rt. Rev. Bishop Zardetti felt himself in conscience bound to close both institutions-the church and the school. Such punish- ment was unendurable for all who deemed themselves possessed of sound character. They, therefore, humbly submitted and sent, on March 7, 1894. a petition to the bishop signed by ninety-two, together with a promised guarantee for the fund those families intended to raise. The petition was granted them and the parish restored to its original good feeling, having the guaranteed fund necessary for its maintenance.
DIVISION OF THE CONGREGATION.
The second episode during Rev. M. Slatinski's administration was the separation of the Catholic people into two parishes. Dissensions brought about by the building began again to ferment to such a degree as to cause great disorder in the parish ; a non-paying party existed whose debt remained impaid year after year.
The cost of the school building was four thousand dollars; besides that there was a debt on the church of about one thousand dollars. The small parish could not flourish under such heavy debt, reigning discord and indif- ference in paying dues. Moreover, a natural antagonism sprang into exist- ence between the Poles and the Germans; one party would upbraid the other for existing disorders. The controversy ended when the nationalities were separated into two distinct parishes.
About this time Rt. Rev. Bishop Zardetti was promoted to the dignity of archbishop and transferred to Bukarest, Roumania, in 1894. Rt. Rev. Bishop Marty, O. S. B., bishop of Sioux Falls, filled the vacancy the same
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year. On April 7, 1895, he came to Browerville to adjust the affair. By this time the number of Polish families outnumbered the German.
The pastor called a meeting, at which the bishop presided. The main point for consideration was the debt which was to decide about the further and sounder foundation of the parish. Both sides favored separation. Here arose the question as to who would undertake the burden of the debt. Both sides hesitated until Rev. M. Slatinski, by words of encouragement, per- suaded the Poles to take it upon themselves. The following agreement was drawn up:
"Browerville, Minnesota, April 21, 1895.
"At a meeting of the Polish Catholics with those speaking other lan- guages the following points were unanimously agreed upon :
"I. The Polish Catholics will keep the church property as it now stands and will pay the debts contracted on the same.
"II. The one thousand, five hundred dollars principal and interest which are due now and three hundred dollars salary of the Benedictine Sis- ters will be paid on November 1, 1895, and whatever money will be needed over and above the pew rent and notes due by the members of the congrega- tion which will be paid thru, shall be furnished by the fifteen men, each of whom has become responsible for one hundred dollars. The names are : Stephen Berczyk, Francis Bieniek, Rochus Czech, Thomas Feist, Paul Gon- sior, Blasius Kiszelewski, Rochus Kotodziej, Stanislaus Kulig, Charles Lamuzga, Peter Lamuzga, John Lukas. Thomas Lisowski, Thomas Mocko, John Marcinczyk, Martin Wrobel.
"III. The Catholics hitherto members of St. Joseph's congregation, but not Polish, will pay to the treasurer the pew rent and school money due up to the present time.
"IV. The same will form a congregation by themselves and as soon as possible go to work to build a church of their own. They will also have their own school. For ten years they will have the use of one school room in the school house of the Holy Angels, but will buy their own furniture and pay their teacher.
"V. For one year they will have the use of the chapel in the school building.
"VI. Should they be in need of these rooms longer than the time mentioned they will pay a rent to be determined by the Polish congregation with the approval of the bishop."
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SECOND AGREEMENT.
Notwithstanding the foregoing agreement the German Catholics wished to be released from all claim on the St. Joseph's parish, provided they would be freed from their standing dues, and use the money for their own parish ; in consideration of which there was a general understanding on July 7, 1895. The agreement then read as follows :
"Browerville, Minnesota, July 7. 1895.
"At a meeting of the Polish Catholics of Browerville, Minnesota, the following proposition was placed before the people to act upon :
" 'Let the Germans separate themselves completely from St. Joseph's church by withdrawing from the Holy Angels school building, which they are allowed to use for either church or school purposes for a period men- tioned in the contract between the Rt. Rev. Bishop and the two congre- gations, leaving the premises from this date. The St. Joseph's congrega- tion leaves it to the honor and conscience of individual members of the new congregation to pay what they owe to St. Joseph's church at the latest by November 1, 1895. Moreover, let the Polish congregation not have any recourse to any other means of collecting or enforcing their claim against the members of the congregation except that of honor and conscience."
"The above proposition was accepted by the Polish congregation as the most expedient under the circumstances and the result is hereby sub- mitted to the German congregation, to take note of and act upon .- M. C. Slatinski, pastor; Charles Lamuzga, Martin Wrobel. Bernard Brever. J. C. Borgert.
"On motion of the German party it was agreed to put November I, 1895, as limit to settlements from the German side after which date all notes and other book accounts held by the St. Joseph congregation against the new congregation shall be, if yet unsettled, declared as cancelled and destroyed .- Charles Lamuzga, Martin Wrobel, Bernard Brever, J. C. Bor- gert."
POLISHI MEMBERS ASSUME DEBT.
In this way the parish of St. Joseph devolved with all property on the Polish side, and the Poles obligated themselves to pay all standing debts of the German side. The Germans then formed a congregation of their own.
The cemetery grounds were donated by Joseph Buhl, a Pole; conse-
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quently they also became the Polish parish's property; however, the bishop recommended that the Germans be allowed to bury their dead in the same cemetery until they had provided for one.
From that date the former parish was divided into an entirely Polish congregation under the same title of St. Joseph, and the newly organized German congregation of St. Peter. Regarding the act of separation it will be in place to publish the letter of the bishop to Rev. M. Slatinski, dated on July 12, 1895 :
"St. Cloud, Minnesota, July 12, 1895.
"Rev. Dear Sir: After hearing Mr. Heid, I understand that it is the free proposal of St. Joseph's congregation to dismiss the German Catholics of the new congregation without demanding payment of the indebtedness, on condition that they leave the school house and give up all claim to the old property. The Germans are willing to accept this offer. The settlement is not such as I would have desired, but if it will promote brotherly feeling between the Catholics of Browerville I will approve of it; and hope that God's honor and the honor of the Catholic people will then be practised.
"With best wishes, your humble servant, "+ M. MARTY, O. S. B.
"Rev. C. M. Slatinski. Browerville."
Beginning with August, 1895, the newly organized German congrega- tion, in charge of Rev. J. B. Brender, then pastor of Long Prairie, rented the second story of Kahlert's store, where services were held until the year 1896, when they built a church.
The two facts achieved by Rev. M. Slatinski will perpetuate his name as the founder of the well-established parish of St. Joseph at Browerville.
The school building is equipped with three class rooms and a number of apartments, living rooms for the Sisters. The school called Holy Angels is a two-story, brick-veneered building, adding grace and completeness to the church premises.
INSTRUCTORS IN THE SCHOOL.
The Polish Sisters of St. Benedict have charge of the instructions. The present staff consists of : Sister Armella, superior and music teacher ; Sister Avellina, teacher of grammar grades and organist ; Sister Jadwiga, teacher of intermediate grades; Sister Augusta, primary teacher ; Sister Simplicia,
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cook; Sister Renata, general housekeeper. For the first school semester the following Sisters were employed: Sisters Seraphica, Casimir, Adela and Sebastian, respectively, succeeded by Sisters Kastka, Candida, Isabella, Con- stantia, Mildred, Victoria, Caroline, Zitta, Opportuna, Canisia, Rufina, Adalberta, Edith, Hedwig, Oswalda, Emma, Albina and Victorine.
With the end of 1895 Rev. M. Slatinski left the diocese and went to Pennsylvania, where he has been ever since, pastor of St. Michael's parish at Homestead. The vacancy at Browerville was filled by the newly ordained Rev. Simon Dabrowski, who shortly after, in May, 1896, exchanged par- ishes with Rev. J. A. Dudek, pastor of Perham, Minnesota.
THE PARISH HOUSE.
A few months after Rev. J. A. Dudek became pastor of St. Joseph's parish he was commissioned to care also for the German parish. Previous to his coming to Browerville the foundation for the St. Peter's church had been laid and the superstructure was completed through the supervision of Rev. J. A. Dudek.
Rev. J. A. Dudek was born at Popielowo, Upper Silesia, Poland's por- tion taken by Germany. Having almost completed his classical course he left his native country and came to America, a youth of sixteen. He entered St. Francis Seminary, Wisconsin. where, after having completed the courses of philosophy and theology, he was ordained for the St. Cloud dio- cese, and in 1894 was appointed pastor of Perham and Browerville. succes- sively. In 1902 he built a fine parsonage, one among the finest residences of Browerville, at the cost of four thousand dollars. In 1906 he was trans- ferred to Gilman, Minnesota, and his place taken by Rev. J. S. Guzdek, pas- tor of Opole, Minnesota, who is, up to the present time, administering the government of the parish.
REV. JOIIN ST. GUZDEK.
The following history of the progress and development of St. Joseph's parish is furnished by Sister Avellina Mrozla :
Rev. John St. Guzdek was born on November 4, 1876, at Chocznia, Gali- cia, Poland's part taken by Austria. He was the son of Albert Guzdek and Mary Sordyl, proprietors of the real estate called "Gurdkowka." He attended the elementary parochial school of the parish at the early age of six. When eleven years old he passed examinations, and the following year he took up
REV. JJOHN ST. GUZDEK
IIOLY ANGELS SCHOOL. BROWERVILLE
PRIEST'S RESIDENCE. BROWERVILLE
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the classical course at Wladowice, county seat, adjoining "Gurdkowka." Having completed the classical course it was his intention to study medicine, but having felt himself called to the priesthood he went to Cracow to finish philosophy. Next he served in the Austrian army ; a year later, in 1897, he went to Italy with the intention of taking the theological course. While there he changed his mind and came to America, landing in New York on July 28, 1898. His half-brother informed him of the lack of Polish clergy in the diocese of St. Cloud.
He was admitted into the diocese and, in 1898, took up the continuation of study of theology at St. John's University, Collegeville, and finished in St. Paul Seminary. Having passed examinations he was elevated to the dignity of priesthood and ordained by Rt. Rev. Bishop J. Trobec, bishop of St. Cloud, on March 25, 1901.
He read his first mass on March 27, at St. Anna, Minnesota, where his half-brother, Rev. S. Dabrowski, was pastor. After Easter of the same year he was appointed pastor of the Polish-German parish of Duelm, and entrusted with the Polish mission at Little Falls, where he completed the work on the St. Adalbert's church, then in progress. In 1902 he was trans- ferred to Opole, Minnesota, where he built a fine parsonage at the cost of four thousand dollars.
ERECTION OF THE NEW CHURCH.
On June 27, 1906, he was transferred to Browerville, St. Joseph's par- ish. One year later Rev. Guzdek began preparations for the erection of a new church to be built in place of the small frame building which no longer could accommodate the increased number of families. The parish then num- bered over two hundred families. The following year it came to action, as may be seen from the minutes here quoted :
"Sunday, May 26, 1907.
"Special meeting was called to order in the parochial school building by Rev. J. S. Guzdek, vice-president of the St. Joseph's congregation of Browerville, Minnesota.
"The object of the meeting is to decide whether or not to build a new church building for our parish, the St. Joseph congregation of Browerville, Minnesota.
"Motion made and seconded that Robert Holig act as secretary of the meeting. Motion carried unanimously.
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"Almost all the members of said congregation were present.
"Motion made by Rev. Guzdek that a vote shall be taken whether or not to build a church. Being seconded.
"The motion being carried unanimously that a new church shall be built. A question by Rev. Guzdek, when shall the new church be started and built ?
"After longer discussion it was decided that the starting of the new building, in legal form, shall be commenced immediately after this meeting.
"Motion made and majority in favor, only contrary V. Maj and V. Brenny to the above question.
"Motion made and seconded that the question arises, How much shall the new church cost ?
"Motion carried unanimously that the said church building shall cost between the sums of $25,000 and about $30,000. This sum shall be only for building without fixtures and painting.
"Plans and specifications of the new church are to be selected by the building committee; and said building committee shall have the absolute right to let the contract or contracts and act in every respect in the building of the new church ; furthermore, shall have the full right and power to buy and sell all material. etc., necessary for the said building in behalf of the congregation and for theni.
"Motion to the above was made and carried by acclamation.
"The building committee of nine men were named by the congregation. then voted on and carried by acclamation ; and that those said nine men vote among themselves for seven men, and the seven men shall compose the legal building committee of said congregation.
"The following nine men were named by the congregation: Rev. J. S. Guzdek. Martin Wrobel, Robert Holig. John Sobota, Vincent Maj. Valen- tine Brenny, Stephen Berczyk, Simon Kaluza and Peter Wodarz.
"The next question was about personal assessment of each of the inem- bers. All were in favor of assessments on each member and of electing assessors for said purpose and those assessors shall assess all members of said congregation into four classes as follow: First class, $200: second class, $150; third class, $125; fourth class, $100. The assessments are made payable, first half on January 1, 1908, second half on January 1, 1909.
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