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.
