Pinkowski Files

Reverend James E. Gryczka
July 22, 1883 -- April 16, 1957
Catholic priest, Polonia activist

In his many years as a priest of the Roman Catholic Church, the Rev. James Edmund Gryczka has achieved a record of notable distinction. He has become a leader of notable distinction in the Catholic Church. His congregation numbers thirty-one different societies; he is recognized as a man of wide culture, an eloquent orator, and a vigorous and capable executive. But the record can never show or explain the affection and esteem in which he is held by his parishioners of St. Hedwig's Church, Kingston, Pennsylvania, and indeed by all those with whom he comes in contact. This can come only from a personal knowledge of the man, his fine spirit, his devotion to his charge and the best interests of his community.
Father Gryczka was born July 22, 1883, at Blossburg, Tioga County, Pennsylvania, a son of Martin and Catherine Gryczka, both of whom were natives of Poland, who came to the United States about 1880. The father died at the age of forty-six, but Mrs. Gryczka lives at Kingston. There were seven children in the family: 1. James Edmund, 2: Luke, who is in the employ of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, 3: Stephen, a physician at Reading, Pennsylvania, 4: Francis, who lives at Kingston, 5: Leon, the organist at St. Hedwig's Church, 6: Connie, an attorney at Detroit, Michigan, 7: Victor, who is a student at the Wharton School.
James Edmund Gryczka attended the public schools at Hoytville, Pennsylvania, and later entered St. Stanislaus College at Chicago, from which he graduated wit a degree in 1901 with a degree of Bachelor of arts. He entered the Polish Seminary at Detroit to pursue the course of philosophy and theology. Finally, he entered St. Bonaventure College where he completed his course in theology, and was ordained a Roman Catholic priest on June 30, 1906. Soon afterward, he became assistant pastor of the church at Duryea, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, but served in that capacity for only seventeen days before he was promoted to the rectorship of the Roman Catholic Church at Forest City, Pennsylvania, where he remained as rector for a little over ten years. During this time he entirely built the Sacred Heart Church, the school and the parish house and the Sisters' house. In 1916 he was transferred to St. Hedwig's Polish Roman Catholic Church at Kingston, and there he has also built the parish house and school and the Sisters' house, as well as improved and redecorated the interior of the church. Under Father Gryczka's inspirational direction the spiritual growth of the parish has kept pace with the material. he has taken a special interest in the welfare of the young, and believing that healthy minds are best developed in healthy bodies he has made it his business to provide facilities of physical exercise and recreation. At the Silver Jubilee of St. Hedwig's Congregation Father Gryczka was especially honored for this work. Of all the Polish American priests in the diocese of Scranton it was he who first established and equipped a parochial club for his young people. At the cost of none thousand dollars, one-half of which he himself paid, he provided billiard tables, bowling alleys, a grill room and the magnificent parish hall. This example was soon followed by the other reverend gentlemen of the diocese. He next organized a baseball team, securing a park, the necessary paraphernalia and a county league franchise. Father Gryczka has organized troops of Boy Scouts, both in his own and in neighboring Polish parishes and has completed recently a great Scout camp at Dorrance Corners.
Politically, he is a member of the Republican Party, and he is also a member of the Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Commerce. His influence and his work extend beyond the church, for he has at heart all projects for the best interests of the people of Luzerne County. He has assisted in the making of over fifteen hundred American citizens, and this record alone would assure him a grateful remembrance in this community.
From: Harvey's History of Wilkes Barre, Vol. 6, p. 666

Obituary
Rev. James E. Gryczka
Wilkes-Barre, April 16 [1957] -- (AP) -- The Rev. James E. Gryczka, 74 pastor of St. Hedwig Church, Kingston, for 41 years and a Roman Catholic priest for more than half a century, died today.
Washington, D.C. -- A tribute to Rev. James Edmund Gryczka of Kingston, PA, who died recently was inserted into the Congressional Record by Rep. Daniel J. Flood.
From: Polish American Journal, May 11, 1957

Rev. James E. Gryczka
Clergyman. Pastor of St. Hedwig's parish, Kingston, Pa. ln 1939 decorated with "Polonia Restituta" by the Polish Government for his services rendered to Independence of Poland. Residence: 207 Zerbey Street, Kingston, Pa.
From: "Who's Who in Polish America" by Rev. Francis Bolek, Editor-in-Chief; Harbinger House, New York, 1943

Fr. Gryczka and altar boys in 1909
Rev. Gryczka at Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Forest City, PA
In September 1906 Bishop Hoban sent Reverend James E. Gryczka as pastor of St. Stanislaus Parish. Father Gryczka was ordained only a few months when he came to Forest City. His first great accomplishment was to change the titular patron of the parish from St. Stanislaus Kostka (over which title some misunderstanding among the parishioners had arisen prior to Father Gryczka's coming) to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. In this way he
had healed the misunderstanding and united the parishioners more closely. Another great task which confronted Father Gryczka was the completion of the church. Work on the church had ceased due to lack of funds. But this did not present Father Gryczka from going on with the plans. Under his direction work progressed rapidly so that in April of 1908, the church was completed. It was built by Bloxham and Sons for the amount of $16,500. In this same month an iron fence was placed around the church property.
On May 30, 1908 the church was dedicated, with over 3,000 people in attendance. The blessing of the corner stone and the dedicating of the church was performed by Right Reverend Monsignor Thomas F. Coffey, pastor of St. Rose's Church, Carbondale, who was assisted by Reverends Francis Nowakowski and Bubacz. Following the dedication a Solemn High Mass was celebrated by Reverend Benvenutus Gramlewicz. The deacon was Reverend Bubacz and Reverend Nowakowski was subdeacon. Reverend M. A. Pankowski, of St. Anthony's Church, Forest City, was master of ceremonies.
After the first Gospel, Monsignor Coffey briefly addressed the large congregation assuring them of the deep gratification with which the bishop would hear his report of the splendid work done by the Polish people of Forest City which he promised to faithfully relate to his Excellency.
The sermon was preached by Reverend Kosinski of Chicago. He told the congregation that they should bear in mind their new church was a place for prayer, the worship of God and charity.
Over two thousand people from Scranton, Nanticoke, Pittston, Hudson, Priceburg [Dickson City], Simpson and other places came to Forest City to participate in the event. Prior to the dedication the different church societies, local and visiting, paraded up Main Street to the church. There were about a thousand men in line and the bright uniforms of the societies gave the town a gay appearance. Music was furnished by the Mozart Band of Carbondale, Lawrence Band of Scranton, and St. Joseph's Band of Hudson. The visiting clergymen and borough officials and a number of invited guests occupied carriages.
During the day there was a steady stream of visitors to the church and all those who viewed the interior for the first time were loud in their praise of its beauty.
Following the ceremonies Reverend Gryczka entertained the clergy at dinner and during the meal music was presented by St. Joseph's Band. The priests in attendance were: Monsignor T. F. Coffey, of Carbondale, and Reverends Kosinski, of Chicago, Babcz of Buffalo, Mantenffel of Passaic, New Jersey, Spotanski of Hudson, A. Zychowicz of Scranton, F. Nowakowski, of Nanticoke, T. Klonowski of Wilkes-Barre, A. J. Dukiewicz of Priceburg (Dickson City), Kasperski of Eynon, Cichocki of Dupont, Szulercki of Hazleton, Libinski of Kingston, Gramlewicz of Nanticoke, Walsh, Tomsick and Pankowski of Forest City.
On October 4, 1908, Forty Hours Devotion was held for the first time in the newly dedicated church and on February 13 of the following year the first mission was conducted in Sacred Heart of Jesus Church by Reverends Beigert and Bieda, Jesuit Fathers from Cleveland, Ohio. Services were held each evening and following the services mission goods were sold in the church basement. Masses were celebrated daily at 7, 7:30, and 8:00 throughout the whole Mission. On Sunday, February 21, the mission was brought to a close with the celebration of a Solemn High Mass.
Very concerned about the spiritual education of his parishioners, Father Gryczka already in June of 1909 had proposed to the parishioners the need of a parochial school, which we would like to see within the near future. His desire was satisfied. In September of 1910 a parochial school was opened in the basement of the Church. It was conducted by lay teachers. One of the lay teachers was Mr. Felix Lachowski, who also was organist at this time.
On October 18, 1910, the Sacrament of Confirmation was administered for the first time in the new church by His Excellency, Most Reverend Michael J. Hoban, to a group of 250. This was also Bishop Hoban's first visit to the parish. Bishop Hoban was greatly pleased by the success of Father Gryczka and the congregation as evidenced by the beautiful church, large congregation and flourishing school.
In February of 1911 under the personal direction of Father Gryczka the Polish young element had formed a club where a keen interest for sport was manifested. On every Monday, Wednesday and Friday evening the members of the club gathered in the hall in the basement of the church for recreation in a body. Among the interesting paraphernalia that had been secured for the members were a punching bag, pool table, horizontal bars, trapeze, boxing gloves, dumb bells, Indian clubs and a basketball outfit.
On Monday and Friday evenings there was also given a course of study in the Polish and English branches for the members of the club. The hall which was reconstructed at an expense of $1,200 was most suitably arranged for the purpose. There was also a large library, containing over one hundred volumes. All the daily and weekly Polish and English papers, periodicals, and magazines were at the disposal of the members of the club. The hall had a seating capacity of 350 and occasionally an entertainment was given by the club members.
The members had also selected a team to represent them on the baseball diamond. These were supplied with uniforms, which were the property of the club.
Father Gryczka had done very much toward the growth of the parish not only materially, but also spirituality. He was well loved both by his parishioners and by the whole community.
On July of 1911 Father Gryczka was appointed to St. Stanislaus Parish in Nanticoke by Bishop Hoban. The news of Father Gryczka's change was unexpected. On Wednesday, August 9, the eve of his departure, he was given a reception by the members of the parish. A purse containing a large sum of money was presented to him. On the following afternoon a large number of people gathered at the station to see him off. Father Gryczka left on the Erie Flyer.
Reverend Roman Wandolowski, who was only recently ordained, succeeded Father Gryczka. Father Wandalowski [spelling differs] was here only a few weeks. On September 22, Father Gryczka returned to Forest City and resumed his pastoral duties of the parish. Nearly 500 people, who learned that he was expected to return, were at the Erie Station to greet him.
On July 24, 1912, Father Gryczka purchased from Mr. and Mrs. Theodore Piatkowski two homes. The cost of this purchase was $5,000.
In 1913 a new organ was installed in the church for the sum of $3,000. The present pulpit was also installed and the present statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus which now adorns the outside of the church was also placed above the entrance to the church.
In this same year work was begun on one of the homes which were bought from Mr. an Mrs. Theodore Piatkowski. It was renovated into a convent and in August, 1913, five Sisters of the Bernardine Order came to Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish to conduct the parochial school.
Since the first rectory was quite a distance from the church, Father Gryczka's next major project was the building of a new rectory next to the church. The present convent was completely renovated from a private home into a suitable dwelling place for the Sisters. Where the first convent stood, the present rectory was built in 1916. The first rectory was sold, and is at present the residence of the Orasin family.
Father Gryczka did not remain long to enjoy the home which he had built. In November of 1916, he was transferred to St. Hedwig's Parish in Kingston. However, he had left a great memorial to himself--a beautiful brick church, a beautiful rectory and convent--the value of which was about $60,000.
Father Gryczka was succeeded by Reverend Joseph A. Mroziewski. Father Mrozlewski's stay was very short. However, in this short time he had paid some of the debt of $13,000 which was left by Father Gryczka.
From: 50 Year Anniversary - Book Sacred Heart Church, Forest City, PA, Marian Year - 1904-1954