Title: Holy Name Polish National Catholic Church (Milwaukee, Wis.) Records
Inclusive Dates: 1954-1980

Creator:

• Holy Name Polish National Catholic Church (Milwaukee, Wis.)

Call Number: Milwaukee SC 117

Quantity: 0.1 c.f. (1 folder and 1 oversize folder)

Repository:

Housed at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Libraries’ Archives Department / Milwaukee Area Research Center; owned by the Wisconsin Historical Society, Division of Library, Archives, and Museum Collections

Archival Locations:

COLLECTION MAY BE STORED OFF-SITE: see catalog entry to request materials and for additional information.

UW-Milwaukee Libraries, Archives / Milwaukee Area Research Ctr. (Map)

Abstract:

Records of the oldest Polish National Catholic Church in Milwaukee (founded 1914), consisting of anniversary albums and programs of the church and its pastor, a parish hymnal and songbook, photographs, and other materials.

Language: English

URL to cite for this finding aid: http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/wiarchives.uw-whs-mil0sc117

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The Polish National Catholic Church was formed in 1897, following its separation from the Roman Catholic Church. Holy Name Parish is the oldest National Catholic parish in Milwaukee: it was formed in response to the appeal of Father Francis Bonczak, published in the Kuryer Polski of 11 March 1914, calling for the formation of a “free national church.” On 29 March 1914 a steering committee was named to organize the new congregation. Church services began immediately, with construction of the first church building being completed in 1917. Father Bonczak was succeeded in 1922 by Father Leon Grochowski, but he returned to the church as Bishop Bonczak in 1930. Following Bonczak's retirement in 1953, Father Walter Slowakiewicz became pastor, a post he held until 1961, when the current pastor, Very Rev. Francis Kolwicz succeeded him.

The collection includes Holy Name Parish anniversary albums, 1954, 1964, 1974, and 1979; programs from the consecration of the new altars (1967), bicentennial services and programs (1976), dedication of a memorial plaque for Bishop Bonczak (1977), and a 1979 confirmation program; a 1969 album of photographs of parishioners; and a copy of the church hymnal, a songbook, and a book of devotions. Other material includes a newsletter of the National United Choirs, programs from the twentieth and twenty-fifth anniversaries of ordination of Rev. Kolwicz, 1974 and 1979; and a 1964 anniversary album of Ss. Peter and Paul Polish National Catholic Church, South Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Photographs show the ladies of the Adoration Society (undated), an undated group of parish schoolchildren, and a 1924 photo of Bishops Leon Grochowski, Francis Bonczak, Francis Hodur, and John Gritanas. There are also three snapshots, donated by Kazimiera Idzikowski, showing the 1968 renovations of the side altar. The two 1979 anniversary albums were donated by Ted Sobanski.

See also the papers of Kazimiera Idzikowski.

Acquisition Information

Presented by Holy Name Parish, via Very Rev. Francis Kolwicz and Ted Sobanski, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 1981. Accession Number: M81-178, M81-352