Many of the sons and daughters of the former Kingdom of Poland who left the home of their ancestors and emigrated to the United States settled and established their families in the industrial districts of the State of New Jersey.
Many of the new settlers, upon their arrival in New York City, settled with their families in the industrial districts of Passaic, Garfield and Lodi, and the surrounding communities on both the eastern and western banks of the Passaic river. A large majority of these families having been reared to the faith and precepts of the Roman Catholic Church, faithfully adhered to the religious doctrines under which they had been taught at home.
Prior to 1900, a number of these Polish Catholic families decided to organize a independent Catholic congregation of their own and accordingly a number of their leaders, among whom were M. Zaratkiewicz, A. Uszynski, A. Mazowiecki, and others, held a conference at which it was decided to organize and incorporate an independent Catholic church in Passaic and to serve the surrounding communities.
The first services at which Holy Mass was offered was in part of the Falstrom Building (191-195 Monroe St. in Passaic) where they continued to worship and held Holy Mass for some time. The first rector who offered Holy Mass and preached to the people was the Rev. Wladislaus Krebski, who had for some time faithfully ministered to the spiritual needs of these families, and who in the course of time was succeeded by the Rev. Roman Pawlikowski, who became their spiritual advisor, and who offered his parishioners the fullest sympathy and kindly ministrations of a loving and indulgent father and spiritual comforter.
In 1903 the congregation, after a conference with the trustees and their rector, decided to acquire a church edifice of their own in which they might regularly worship and hear Holy Mass and have the gospel preached to them in their native language and accordingly they purchased the Old First Dutch Reformed Church and all its accessory buildings, situated on River Drive, near the present county bridge in Passaic. In this undertaking the members of the congregation responded generously to the call of their rector and they soon liquidated the purchase cost. The congregation since added many repairs and improvements to the church edifice. Rev. Roman Pawlikowski, during the period of his administration and rectorship of Ss. Peter and Paul, rendered efficient and helpful service among his parishioners, all of whom came to love. The congregation exceed over 600 families, with a total of over 2,000 souls.
The parish was subsequently served by Rev. (later Bishop) Francis Bonczak who had been assigned to the parish by Bishop Kozlowski of the Chicago based independent Catholic movement.
On October 19, 1909 the parish incorporated as part of the Polish National Catholic Church (PNCC).
In 1913, the parish served as the headquarters for a Provincial Synod of the PNCC.
In October, 1921, Rev. Valentine Cichy was appointed rector.
A historical marker was erected at the parish on June 13, 1976, the county’s bicentennial year. It shows the rich religious history of the site, once the encampment of General George Washington and Continental Army. A church has stood at this site for 335 years. The marker states:
This property granted for church purposes
by the Lord Proprietors of East Jersey
294 years ago, in the year 1682.Provision was made in the grant for a
triangle or “gore” for the church.The first church building, “Old First”
Dutch Reformed Church, was erected in 1683.August of 1902 became the property of
Sts. Peter and Paul Independent Polish Catholic Church.George Washington and Continental Army
encamped here the evening of November 21, 1776.For nearly three centuries this land
represents an unbroken dedication to the
worship of God through Jesus Christ.Sts. Peter and Paul Polish National Catholic
Church and its members are the present
custodians of this rich heritage.Presented June 13, 1976
during Bicentennial Mass
Central Diocese of the Polish National Catholic Church
A partial list of pastors:
Rev. Wladislaus Krebski
Rev. Roman Pawlikowski
Rev. Francis Bonczak
Rev. Valentine Cichy
Rev. John Wroblemski
Very Rev. Adam Walichiewicz
Very Rev. Joseph Jakobshe
Rev. Robert Ostroski
Rev. Louis Orzech
Very Rev. John Slysz
Very Rev. Stanley Skrzypek
Very Rev. Gregory Mludzik