Here stands St. Stanislaus Bishop and Martyr Church, the oldest Polish Roman Catholic parish in New York. The church is located in Manhattan’s East Village neighborhood. Imagine Polish immigrants seeking solace and community. They found it here at St. Stanislaus Roman Catholic Church.
The parish’s story began in 1872. It started in a small wooden church on Henry Street. That first church was located at 318 Henry Street. The growing community needed more space.
St. Stanislaus then moved to the Dutch Reformed Church. This was in 1845. It became a Catholic church at 43 Stanton Street. This served the parish until the current location.
In 1900, construction began on this new church. It was completed in 1901. Arthur Arctander designed St. Stanislaus Bishop and Martyr Church. The dedication happened on May 19, 1901. Archbishop M.A. Corrigan and Bishop J.M. Farley officiated the ceremony. A New York Times article mentioned the church. It called it simply “the Polish church”.
A three-story parish school was constructed later. It was built at 104-106 Saint Mark’s Place in 1907. Arctander also designed the school building. The cost was $30,000.
The Fathers of St. Paul the First Hermit staff the parish. They are also known as the Pauline Fathers. Rev. Francis Mylanarski served as a rector. He was a chaplain in the armed forces. Later, he transferred to St. Adelbert’s Church in the Bronx in 1919.
St. Stanislaus Bishop and Martyr Church stands as a testament to faith. It symbolizes community and Polish heritage. The church offers masses in Polish. This helps Polish immigrants connect with their roots. Parish groups deepen relationships with God through their work. You can submit prayer requests on the prayer wall.
Today, St. Stanislaus Bishop and Martyr Church continues to thrive. It welcomes parishioners and guests. Its history echoes through the East Village. It is a beacon of faith for all who enter its doors.