As baptised followers of Jesus Christ, guided by
the Holy Spirit, we strive to proclaim the
Gospel by promoting a welcoming community;
celebrating the Eucharist and living our faith
with charity, peace and justice.
the Holy Spirit, we strive to proclaim the
Gospel by promoting a welcoming community;
celebrating the Eucharist and living our faith
with charity, peace and justice.
The Parishes of
St. Patrick, Holy Ghost, &
St. Michael the Archangel
St. Patrick, Holy Ghost, &
St. Michael the Archangel
The Parishes of
St. Patrick, Holy Ghost, &
St. Michael the Archangel
St. Patrick, Holy Ghost, &
St. Michael the Archangel
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COPYRIGHT 2009 © St. Patrick's Roman Catholic Church, Olyphant, PA
History of St. Michael the Archangel
The growth of coal mining in the Lackawanna Valley brought a great number of Polish immigrants to
Olyphant at the beginning of the Twentieth Century. Soon there arose a need for the establishment of a
parish and the building of a church to serve these people. The organization of the parish was initiated by
Mr. Joseph Kwiatek, a hotel owner in the borough, in the spring of 1909. A committee was organized to lay
the foundation of the new parish. The following men served on the committee: Messrs. Joseph Kwiatek,
Michael Borys, Michael Kosydar, Louis Naglak, Joseph Guzek, Andrew Naglak, George Klocek, Joseph Pijar,
John Pasko, John Swieton, Frank Szarek, Joseph borys, Matthew Dutka, Anthony Oleniacz, and Jacob
Czeluszniak.
The first meeting of the committee was held in the home of Mr. Louis Naglak. It was decided at this
meeting that a census be taken of the Polish families living in Olyphant and that affairs be held to raise
money for the buying of property.
On September 13, 1909 property was bought from Mr. & Mrs. Patrick Kelley. There were three homes on
the property: one was to serve as a rectory; another was to become a convent; and the third was to be
raised for the construction of a church.
Olyphant at the beginning of the Twentieth Century. Soon there arose a need for the establishment of a
parish and the building of a church to serve these people. The organization of the parish was initiated by
Mr. Joseph Kwiatek, a hotel owner in the borough, in the spring of 1909. A committee was organized to lay
the foundation of the new parish. The following men served on the committee: Messrs. Joseph Kwiatek,
Michael Borys, Michael Kosydar, Louis Naglak, Joseph Guzek, Andrew Naglak, George Klocek, Joseph Pijar,
John Pasko, John Swieton, Frank Szarek, Joseph borys, Matthew Dutka, Anthony Oleniacz, and Jacob
Czeluszniak.
The first meeting of the committee was held in the home of Mr. Louis Naglak. It was decided at this
meeting that a census be taken of the Polish families living in Olyphant and that affairs be held to raise
money for the buying of property.
On September 13, 1909 property was bought from Mr. & Mrs. Patrick Kelley. There were three homes on
the property: one was to serve as a rectory; another was to become a convent; and the third was to be
raised for the construction of a church.
The Committee reported its progress to His Excellency, the
Most reverend Michael J. Hoban, who at that time was the
Bishop of the Diocese of Scranton. His Excellency pleased
with the work of the committee granted permission for
the establishment of St. Michael the Archangel Parish in
Olyphant. He appointed the Rev. Francis Wieszok as the
first pastor. Prior to this time the people of Olyphant
attended St. Mary’s Church in Dickson City.
In the fall of 1909 the Rev. Francis Wieszok took up
residence in Olyphant. Because the Polish people had no
church of their own, they attended Mass offered by the
Rev. Wieszok in the Slovak Church, Holy Ghost Church. The
cost for the rental of the Slovak Church was $25 per month.
Father Wieszok’s stay at Olyphant was short. He was
transferred to another parish in March of 1911. At this time
the parish became a mission to St. Anthony’s Church in
Throop and the people were served by the Rev. Roman A.
Wieziolowski, Pastor of St. Anthony’s Parish.
Most reverend Michael J. Hoban, who at that time was the
Bishop of the Diocese of Scranton. His Excellency pleased
with the work of the committee granted permission for
the establishment of St. Michael the Archangel Parish in
Olyphant. He appointed the Rev. Francis Wieszok as the
first pastor. Prior to this time the people of Olyphant
attended St. Mary’s Church in Dickson City.
In the fall of 1909 the Rev. Francis Wieszok took up
residence in Olyphant. Because the Polish people had no
church of their own, they attended Mass offered by the
Rev. Wieszok in the Slovak Church, Holy Ghost Church. The
cost for the rental of the Slovak Church was $25 per month.
Father Wieszok’s stay at Olyphant was short. He was
transferred to another parish in March of 1911. At this time
the parish became a mission to St. Anthony’s Church in
Throop and the people were served by the Rev. Roman A.
Wieziolowski, Pastor of St. Anthony’s Parish.
Under the administration of Father Wieziolowski plans were made for the construction of a church. Most
of the responsibility concerning the building of the church and the acquiring of funds was placed on Mr.
John Surowiec. In August of 1911 work began for the building of a basement church.
In November of 1911 His Excellency, Bishop Hoban, appointed the Rev. John A. Suchos as pastor of the
parish. The completion of the church was carried on under his administration. In June of 1912 the church
was completed and on July 4 the church was dedicated by the Most Reverend Michael J. Hoban. On this
day Mass was offered for the first time in the new church.
The cost of the basement church together with its furnishings amounted to approximately $8,652. During
his pastorate the Reverend Suchos also built an addition to the rectory and renovated it at the cost of
approximately $3,690. Father Suchos initiated a school. The instructor was Miss Marie Kalwinski.
In February of 1914 Father Suchos was transferred to St. Mary’s Church in Eynon. His successor in Olyphant
was the Reverend Felix Nowak. Father Nowak was well known in the parish for his love for the poor. Two
years after his coming to St. Michael’s Father Nowak began to build a parish hall. His own parishioners at
the cost of approximately $1,000 did the work. He also purchased a plot of land for a cemetery. Father
Nowak left St. Michael’s in August of 1920 and was succeeded by the Reverend Andrew Smells who
administered the parish for a couple of months.
In December 1920 His Excellency, Bishop Hoban, appointed the Reverend Stanislaus G. Wolf pastor. Soon
after his coming to Olyphant father Wolf realized the need for a new school and teaching Sisters. At his
request the Bernardine Sisters came to St. Michael’s in August 1921. In 1925 he purchased a plot of land
from the Harlat family for the construction of a school. The school was completed in 1926 at the
approximate cost of $100,000. The architect was Mr. Prawdzik and the contractor, Mr. Potoski.
After eliminating the debt on the school Father Wolf planned to build a new convent and church.
However, his plans did not materialize, for in January 1931, he was transferred to St. Michael’s Parish in
Old Forge. Included in the parish property when Father Wolf left were the church, parochial school, hall,
rectory, convent, cemetery and gymnasium.
The Reverend Stanislaus J. Slominski succeeded Father Wolf. Father Slominski after clearing the parish of
debt bought land for a new cemetery. Because the hall had served its purpose and the cost of renovating
it were prohibitive, Father Slominski had the hall raised in 1934. In 1935 new altars were purchased for the
church and were dedicated in September of the same year. The church was also renovated at the cost of
about $2,000. In 1939 he bought the house, which now serves as the rectory and completely renovated it.
He also renovated the old rectory, which now serves as a convent for the Bernardine Sisters.
His next desire was to build a new church and on May 26, 1950 he announced the plans for the
construction of the new church. But in December of the same year, fire damaged the parochial school
building and the school had to be completely renovated. So it wasn’t until January of 1951 that workmen
began dismantling the old church for the construction of the new edifice. Part of the foundation of the
old structure was utilized for the new Romanesque church, which now serves the parishioners of St.
Michael’s. Until the church was completed weekday Masses were celebrated in the Bernardine Sisters
Convent; Sunday Masses were offered in the parish auditorium on Church and River Streets.
of the responsibility concerning the building of the church and the acquiring of funds was placed on Mr.
John Surowiec. In August of 1911 work began for the building of a basement church.
In November of 1911 His Excellency, Bishop Hoban, appointed the Rev. John A. Suchos as pastor of the
parish. The completion of the church was carried on under his administration. In June of 1912 the church
was completed and on July 4 the church was dedicated by the Most Reverend Michael J. Hoban. On this
day Mass was offered for the first time in the new church.
The cost of the basement church together with its furnishings amounted to approximately $8,652. During
his pastorate the Reverend Suchos also built an addition to the rectory and renovated it at the cost of
approximately $3,690. Father Suchos initiated a school. The instructor was Miss Marie Kalwinski.
In February of 1914 Father Suchos was transferred to St. Mary’s Church in Eynon. His successor in Olyphant
was the Reverend Felix Nowak. Father Nowak was well known in the parish for his love for the poor. Two
years after his coming to St. Michael’s Father Nowak began to build a parish hall. His own parishioners at
the cost of approximately $1,000 did the work. He also purchased a plot of land for a cemetery. Father
Nowak left St. Michael’s in August of 1920 and was succeeded by the Reverend Andrew Smells who
administered the parish for a couple of months.
In December 1920 His Excellency, Bishop Hoban, appointed the Reverend Stanislaus G. Wolf pastor. Soon
after his coming to Olyphant father Wolf realized the need for a new school and teaching Sisters. At his
request the Bernardine Sisters came to St. Michael’s in August 1921. In 1925 he purchased a plot of land
from the Harlat family for the construction of a school. The school was completed in 1926 at the
approximate cost of $100,000. The architect was Mr. Prawdzik and the contractor, Mr. Potoski.
After eliminating the debt on the school Father Wolf planned to build a new convent and church.
However, his plans did not materialize, for in January 1931, he was transferred to St. Michael’s Parish in
Old Forge. Included in the parish property when Father Wolf left were the church, parochial school, hall,
rectory, convent, cemetery and gymnasium.
The Reverend Stanislaus J. Slominski succeeded Father Wolf. Father Slominski after clearing the parish of
debt bought land for a new cemetery. Because the hall had served its purpose and the cost of renovating
it were prohibitive, Father Slominski had the hall raised in 1934. In 1935 new altars were purchased for the
church and were dedicated in September of the same year. The church was also renovated at the cost of
about $2,000. In 1939 he bought the house, which now serves as the rectory and completely renovated it.
He also renovated the old rectory, which now serves as a convent for the Bernardine Sisters.
His next desire was to build a new church and on May 26, 1950 he announced the plans for the
construction of the new church. But in December of the same year, fire damaged the parochial school
building and the school had to be completely renovated. So it wasn’t until January of 1951 that workmen
began dismantling the old church for the construction of the new edifice. Part of the foundation of the
old structure was utilized for the new Romanesque church, which now serves the parishioners of St.
Michael’s. Until the church was completed weekday Masses were celebrated in the Bernardine Sisters
Convent; Sunday Masses were offered in the parish auditorium on Church and River Streets.
The present church has a capacity for 550 persons. Its design is a modified Romanesque and it has a steel
frame with face brick veneer and cinder block backing, trimmed with limestone. Vincent J. Riggi,
Dunmore, was the architect; Anthony Grosek, general contractor; James H. Lally, plumbing contractor;
George Adams, heating and Riggi Electric Co., electricity. The floor of the church and sacristies is covered
with rubber tile with the exception of the pews area, which is of asphalt tile. The interior wall and ceiling
are plastered and oak veneer wainscoating is included in the nave and sanctuary. The nave is free of
columns with a vaulted ceiling having an extreme height of 29 ft., 6 inches. The church has two sacristies
one on each side of the sanctuary. Two confessionals are found directly under the choir loft. Under the
nave there is a full basement, which provides for a boiler room and storage space.
On Thanksgiving Day, November 22, 1951, the cornerstone was laid and the church was blessed by His
Excellency, Bishop Hafey, who celebrated a Solemn Pontifical Mass at 11:00 a.m. Officers of the Mass were
as follows: Archpriest, Reverend Slominski; deacons of honor, Right Reverend Monsignor William L. Farrell,
V.F., and William K. Dolan, S.T.D.; deacon of the Mass, Reverend Francis X. Dominiak; sub deacon,
Reverend Edward A. Bellas; and Masters of Ceremonies, Very Reverend Monsignor Joseph A. Madden and
Reverend Henry A. Wyda. The Right Reverend Monsignor John J. Podkul delivered the sermon. Following
the religious ceremonies a dinner was given in the school auditorium. The principal speaker at the dinner
was His Excellency, Bishop Hafey.
frame with face brick veneer and cinder block backing, trimmed with limestone. Vincent J. Riggi,
Dunmore, was the architect; Anthony Grosek, general contractor; James H. Lally, plumbing contractor;
George Adams, heating and Riggi Electric Co., electricity. The floor of the church and sacristies is covered
with rubber tile with the exception of the pews area, which is of asphalt tile. The interior wall and ceiling
are plastered and oak veneer wainscoating is included in the nave and sanctuary. The nave is free of
columns with a vaulted ceiling having an extreme height of 29 ft., 6 inches. The church has two sacristies
one on each side of the sanctuary. Two confessionals are found directly under the choir loft. Under the
nave there is a full basement, which provides for a boiler room and storage space.
On Thanksgiving Day, November 22, 1951, the cornerstone was laid and the church was blessed by His
Excellency, Bishop Hafey, who celebrated a Solemn Pontifical Mass at 11:00 a.m. Officers of the Mass were
as follows: Archpriest, Reverend Slominski; deacons of honor, Right Reverend Monsignor William L. Farrell,
V.F., and William K. Dolan, S.T.D.; deacon of the Mass, Reverend Francis X. Dominiak; sub deacon,
Reverend Edward A. Bellas; and Masters of Ceremonies, Very Reverend Monsignor Joseph A. Madden and
Reverend Henry A. Wyda. The Right Reverend Monsignor John J. Podkul delivered the sermon. Following
the religious ceremonies a dinner was given in the school auditorium. The principal speaker at the dinner
was His Excellency, Bishop Hafey.
On October 5, 1955 the Reverend John Lipski succeeded Father Slominski as
pastor. In 1959 Father Lipski cleared the remaining debt of $38,000 on the
church. He completely renovated the interior and exterior of the school
building: the exterior of the school was stuccoed; a new lighting system
was installed in the school and hall; a concrete floor was laid in the school
auditorium and covered with asphalt tile; the classrooms were painted and
the floor covered with tile. He also completely renovated and refurnished
the interior of the convent. In April of 1961 a new organ was installed in the
church. Two rooms were built on to the present rectory. In preparation for
the Golden Jubilee Father Lipski had the interior of the church washed.
church, and to reconstruct the present rectory into a convent. This change
will give the Sisters of the parish a closer access to the school. The present
rectory and school are located on the same street, while the convent
located adjacent to the church is at a distance from the school.
Under Father Lipski’s administration and with the cooperation of his
parishioners, the parish is free of all debt and has a considerable amount of
money in reserve. The church property includes a striking edifice, a
beautiful cemetery, a completely renovated convent, school, hall, and a
comfortable rectory. Father Lipski was pastor until 1971.
pastor. In 1959 Father Lipski cleared the remaining debt of $38,000 on the
church. He completely renovated the interior and exterior of the school
building: the exterior of the school was stuccoed; a new lighting system
was installed in the school and hall; a concrete floor was laid in the school
auditorium and covered with asphalt tile; the classrooms were painted and
the floor covered with tile. He also completely renovated and refurnished
the interior of the convent. In April of 1961 a new organ was installed in the
church. Two rooms were built on to the present rectory. In preparation for
the Golden Jubilee Father Lipski had the interior of the church washed.
church, and to reconstruct the present rectory into a convent. This change
will give the Sisters of the parish a closer access to the school. The present
rectory and school are located on the same street, while the convent
located adjacent to the church is at a distance from the school.
Under Father Lipski’s administration and with the cooperation of his
parishioners, the parish is free of all debt and has a considerable amount of
money in reserve. The church property includes a striking edifice, a
beautiful cemetery, a completely renovated convent, school, hall, and a
comfortable rectory. Father Lipski was pastor until 1971.
Monsignor Robert T. Barlik – October 1971 – November 1975
Father Leonard F. Gajewski – December 1975- July 1991
Father Kenneth G. Kizis- July 1991 – May 2003
Father Phillip J. Sladicka- July 2003- January 2007
Father Thomas M. Muldowney was named pastor by Bishop Martino in January 2007 and remains the
current pastor.
Father Leonard F. Gajewski – December 1975- July 1991
Father Kenneth G. Kizis- July 1991 – May 2003
Father Phillip J. Sladicka- July 2003- January 2007
Father Thomas M. Muldowney was named pastor by Bishop Martino in January 2007 and remains the
current pastor.
