“Dedicated to St. Joasaphat Kuncewicz.” That’s how the Parish of St. Josaphat began its journey. It all started in 1910. The Diocese of Brooklyn established it. Its purpose was to serve Polish Catholics. They lived near Bayside in Queens.
St. Josaphat Kuncewicz lived from 1580 to 1623. He was from Poland. Rev. Gervase Kubec took care of the parish. He was from St. Casimir Polish Catholic Church in Brooklyn.
In 1913, Rev. Bronislaus Malinowski became the first pastor of St. Josaphat. Plans were made. A parish hall was planned. It would seat 400 people. It would cost $12000. A two-story brick rectory was also erected. It cost $12000 as well.
The cornerstone for the current St. Josaphat building was laid in 1934. It sits on the corner of 35th Avenue and 210th Street. The design is neo-Gothic. The facade features a square tower. A steeple tops the tower on the right side. Inside, the stained glass windows are Byzantine-style. The original parish house became what it was meant to be. This happened after the new church was finished.
Today, St. Josaphat holds services in Polish and English. St. Josaphat Church also hosts Bayside’s Polish Heritage Month celebration.
Let’s talk about the organ inside St. Josaphat. The Estey Organ Company from Brattleboro Vermont built it in 1938. It’s Opus 3103. Originally, the organ had 26 stops. These controlled six unified ranks. They were in two enclosures. They flanked the gallery window.
The United Organ Company of Oceanside may have built or installed it. At some point, two stops were added. These were an 8′ Gemshorn and an 8′ Clarinet. They were added to the Great division. This brought the total to eight ranks.
After more than 70 years, the organ became unreliable. Its leather and mechanical parts deteriorated. In 2011, Elsener Organ Works rebuilt the organ. They are from Deer Park, N.Y. All the leather parts were replaced. They used electro-mechanical magnets. The original electro-pneumatic relay was replaced. A new Peterson ICS-4000 system was installed. This allows MIDI output and record or playback. The Estate of Stanley Francis Jobo funded this work. He was a longtime parishioner of St. Josaphat Church.
The Great Organ has several features. It has an 8′ Open Diapason. There is also a 4′ Flute. An 8′ Gedeckt is present. A 4′ Dulcet is included. An 8′ Gemshorn adds to the sound. A 2 2/3′ Twelfth is available. An 8′ Melodia enriches the music. A 2′ Fifteenth provides another layer. An 8′ Dulciana creates a soft tone. An 8′ Clarinet offers a unique sound. A 4′ Octave is also there. Chimes can be added.
The Swell Organ also has many features. A 16′ Lieblich Diapason is available. A 4′ Flute d’Amour adds to the sound. An 8′ Open Diapason is included. A 2 2/3′ Nazard provides a different tone. An 8′ Gedeckt is present. A 2′ Flautino adds brightness. An 8′ Salicional creates a delicate sound. An 8′ Oboe offers a rich tone. An 8′ Dulciana is there. A Tremulant adds variation. A 4′ Octave is also included.
The Pedal Organ features a 16′ Bourdon. An 8′ Salicional is present. An 8′ Gedeckt is included. A 4′ Octave adds depth. An 8′ Melodia enriches the sound. A 4′ Flute is also there. An 8′ Dulciana provides a soft tone.
St. Josaphat stands as a testament to faith. It also shows the dedication of its community. From its Polish roots to its vibrant present. The church continues to be a beacon of hope and heritage in Bayside. Its beautiful architecture and rich musical history invite all. They invite all to experience its warmth and welcome.