During the latter part of the 19th century, the first Polish immigrants arrived in Sayreville where work was available in established industries. The earliest Polish settler noted in "available" records was Felix Lapa who arrived in 1886. Two years later, according to records Jozef Lis arrived. By the turn of the century Polish immigrants comprised a sizable percentage of Sayreville's population.
When Felix Lapa and Jozef Lis settled in Sayreville there was no Roman Catholic Church with Polish-language services in the immediate area. Not until 1895 was a Polish parish, Sacred Heart, established in nearby South Amboy. Consequently, Sayreville residents assisted in the formation of both Sacred Heart and St. Mary of Ostrabrama, South River, which was dedicated in 1905. During that time both churches served the spiritual needs of Sayreville’s Polish residents. Fr. Julian Zielinski, pastor of Sacred Heart, occasionally traveled to Our Lady of Victories Church, Sayreville, to conduct services in Polish.
On August 28, 1912, Mr. Michael Surdey appeared before the Sayreville Township Committee to enlist their support in petitioning the bishop for permission to build a church for Sayreville’s Polish Catholics. Township Clerk, J. Henry Boehm was instructed to prepare the petition for Mr. Surdey and the Township Committee signed it, their names were all German and Irish. After giving the petition serious consideration, Most Reverend James A. McFaul, Bishop of Trenton, appointed Fr. Jan Pawłowski, Pastor of St. Mary of Ostrabrama, to investigate this request and report his findings.
Fr. Pawlowski's report to the bishop was favorable. Thus, the bishop commenced a debate about where to build the church. Several locations were proposed and the Jacobsen Street-Sandfield Road (currently MacArthur Avenue) site won. Sayre & Fisher Brick Company donated the land, initially deeding it to St. Mary's, South River on April 6, 1912. The deed was recorded in New Brunswick on October 14, 1912. After the St. Stanislaus Kostka Church was incorporated June 8, 1914, the property deed was immediately transferred to the new parish on June 30.
Soon after the church was incorporated, the parishioners once again petitioned Bishop McFaul, requesting that Fr. Pawłowski be appointed to lead the parish. Bishop McFaul agreed and appointed Fr. Pawłowski as the first pastor of St. Stanislaus Kostka Church.
Architect William Endelbrock designed the church/school building. Joseph Check, Jr. was hired as the general contractor. William Smalley installed the plumbing and heating. When completed, the first floor of the church was designed to accommodate classrooms for the planned elementary school. The church sanctuary was, and remains to this day on the second floor. The first floor/second floor arrangement was not unusual for parishes being established at that time.
Even though work on the church was not yet completed, the first Mass (Christmas Midnight Mass) took place December 25, 1914. When St. Stanislaus Kostka Church was completed, it was on former Sayre & Fischer property, with Sayre & Fischer bricks, surrounded by clay mines. Bishop McFaul blessed St. Stanislaus Kostka Church in April 1915.
In 1916, Fr. Pawlowski received permission from Bishop McFaul to engage an architect and general contractor to begin work on a rectory. Sayre & Fisher Brick Company, which had previously donated bricks for the church building, once again generously donated bricks for the rectory façade.
Fr. Pawlowski engaged the services of the Order of Saint Felix of Cantelice (Felician Sisters) to staff the new school. Prior to the new rectory being built, the sisters lived in South River. They took up residence in the old rectory on Jacobsen Street after the new one was completed. Fr. Pawłowski viewed the old rectory as a temporary residence for the sisters. He petitioned Most Reverend Thomas J. Walsh, Bishop of Trenton, for permission to start construction of a new convent for the sisters. In 1921 he engaged the services of F.J. Schwartz as architect for this project and hired Joseph Check, Jr. as general contractor.
Every community needs a leader and every church a pastor. These are primarily roles of service to the people. An effective leader must know and understand the needs of the people, then be able to provide for those needs. In faith we believe that God is ever present in our midst and always accomplishing His works. Sometimes we can even understand how God does it, but it is always after the fact.
Priests in general and pastors in particular are obliged to minister to the people. They lead in worship, prayer and devotions. They educate in school, religious education and homilies. They minister to the emotional and psychological needs of individuals and families through counseling. They intercede for their parishioners with governments and institutions. They care for the physical and material needs of the hungry, the homeless, the sick and the neglected. Most importantly, they fulfill their priestly vocation by faithfully offering sacrifice to God on behalf of man and invoking God's blessing for the people.
Each of the pastors of St. Stanislaus Kostka Church brought unique gifts that were necessary at the time of their appointment. Sometimes these gifts were not fully apparent or fully appreciated at the time, but in retrospect we can see and understand something of God's bigger picture.
Rev. Jan J. Pawlowski: Who could have foretold that a priest from Poland would come to establish our parish in Sayreville, New Jersey? In 1869, a son was born to Jan and Marya Pawlowski in a village near Poznan, Poland. At baptism he was given the name of his father, Jan.
Fr. Jan, as he was popularly known, received his elementary education in Poland. He later went to Paris, then to Rome for theology studies. In Rome, he became aware of the spiritual needs of Polish immigrants in the United States. Motivated by a deep desire to serve Poles in America and after being consecrated a priest in Rome in 1907, he came to the United States. For a short time he was an assistant at St. Joseph's Parish in Camden. His next assignment was at St. Peter's Parish in New Brunswick, where he also performed priestly duties at St. Peter's Hospital.
In 1910, Fr. Jan was appointed pastor of St. Mary of Ostrabrama Church, South River. When Bishop McFaul needed a priest to unite and inspire the congregation of a new parish in 1914, Fr. Jan was given this assignment in addition to his duties as St. Mary's pastor.
Fr. Jan was appointed pastor of St. Stanislaus Kostka Church in April 1915. His tenure was one of extraordinary accomplishments. He oversaw the construction of the church, school, rectory and convent. He purchased land for a cemetery and beautified its grounds.
His years as shepherd of St. Stan's are replete with evidence of his enthusiastic leadership, especially in bringing the people to worship God. Under his care the parish became stronger and more successful. Under his watchful eye, the youth of the parish were educated so that they could reach higher positions in life.
On November 2, 1928, the parish received the terrible news of the tragic death of their beloved pastor. Fr. Jan had been called to the home of a dying parishioner, who was the mother of several children. The children appealed to him to save their mother. She died in his presence. Fr. Jan was so greatly affected by the children’s reaction to their mother's death that he cried with them. He had been warned that any excitement would be injurious to his health. After administering Last Rites, Fr. Jan left to visit the Szymborski family, his relatives in South River. He suffered a heart attack on the Sayreville-South River Bridge and his car fell into the South River. The car was raised an hour and a half later. Fr. Jan's funeral was held November 5, 1928, with 80 priests in attendance. He was loved by his parishioners, as well as his brother priests. His sudden death grieved many.