About Our Lady of Czestochowa Parish - St. Hyacinth · Bay City, Michigan
Our Lady of Czestochowa Parish is a Roman Catholic parish in the Diocese of Saginaw, located in the South End of Bay City, Michigan. Formed on July 1, 2014 by the merger of historic Polish parishes St. Stanislaus Kostka (founded 1874) and St. Hyacinth (founded 1905), the parish celebrates over 125 years of combined Catholic tradition in Bay City, including a periodic Mass in Polish and a vibrant music ministry. The parish church is St. Stanislaus Kostka at 1503 Kosciuszko Avenue; Bishop Robert D. Gruss closed the additional St. Hyacinth Church at 1515 Cass Avenue effective July 28, 2025. The parish is currently led by Fr. Nicholas F. Coffaro with Deacon Stanley Kuczynski and a dedicated lay staff, and offers faith formation, youth programs, sacramental preparation, Scripture study, outreach, and a wide array of fellowship groups.
- Established
- 2014 (merged parish); 1874 (St. Stanislaus Kostka Parish); 1905 (St. Hyacinth Parish)
- Patron
- Our Lady of Czestochowa (patroness of the merged parish); St. Stanislaus Kostka and St. Hyacinth (patrons of the founding parishes)
- Rector
- Rev. Nicholas F. Coffaro
- Diocese
- Diocese of Saginaw (Vicariate 2)
Why belong here
Our Lady of Czestochowa is a faith-filled community where over 125 years of Polish-Catholic heritage meets active parish life. Worshippers can attend weekend Masses and periodic Polish-language Masses (coordinated with the Tri-City Polish Heritage Society) in a historic Neo-Gothic church on Kosciuszko Avenue, or join one of the most active music ministries in the area — with cantors, choirs, and Polish hymnody, all under the leadership of a friendly pastor and permanent deacon. Strong programs for every age — RCIA, sacramental preparation, elementary religious education, Sunday Little Church, adult Little Rock and Catholic Scripture studies, youth ministry, Knights of Columbus, Rosary Altar Society, Prayer Shawl, Grief Ministry and a parish food pantry — make it easy to belong, serve, and grow in faith.
Mass times at Our Lady of Czestochowa Parish - St. Hyacinth
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- St. Hyacinth Church — Saturday 11:00 a.m. (per the 2025 Diocese of Saginaw Parish Directory)
- St. Stanislaus Kostka Church — Saturday 2:00–3:00 p.m. (per the parish's diocese page)
History of the Parish
Our Lady of Czestochowa Parish was created on July 1, 2014, when Bishop Joseph R. Cistone merged the two historic Polish parishes of Bay City's South End under the Diocese of Saginaw's Planning Tomorrow's Parishes initiative. The two predecessor communities — St. Stanislaus Kostka (founded 1874) and St. Hyacinth (created by division in 1905) — together represent more than 125 years of continuous Catholic tradition in Bay City, including a strong musical and devotional Polish heritage carried into the present parish.
St. Stanislaus Kostka Campus (Parish Church)
Founded December 13, 1874 by Polish refugees who had fled Prussian rule, the parish worshiped in a small frame church on land donated by William D. Fitzhugh until it outgrew the building in 1889. Under Fr. Marian Matkowski, the present grand Neo-Gothic church, designed by Bay City architects Pratt & Koeppe, had its cornerstone blessed on June 24, 1890, and was dedicated by Bishop Henry J. Richter of Grand Rapids on July 17, 1892. The building (with steel-and-yellow-brick skeleton frame, concrete, stone, oak interior detailing, and 175-foot towers) is today a registered Michigan Historic Site, with a bilingual Polish/English historical marker near the main entrance.
- 1874: Original wooden church dedicated Dec. 13, 1874
- 1892: Neo-Gothic church dedicated July 17, 1892 by Bishop Richter
- 1927: Convent built
- 1951: High school built
- Grade school celebrated 100 years in 2011
- 1980s: Convent demolished; portion of rectory converted for remaining sisters
- 2007: Campus Project under Fr. William Rutkowski — new Parish Center, Grant Street closed, new parking, electronic sign
- 2011: BACS consolidation ended classes at St. Stanislaus School
- 2014: Named parish church of newly formed Our Lady of Czestochowa Parish
St. Hyacinth Campus (Closed July 28, 2025)
St. Hyacinth Parish was carved out of St. Stanislaus Kostka in 1905 when Bishop Richter approved the request of the South End Polish faithful led by Fr. Edward Kozlowski. The original church and school had their cornerstone laid October 14, 1906, and were completed in 1907 under inaugural pastor Fr. Alexander Lipinski, being dedicated on December 8, 1907, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. Fr. Andrew Narloch launched a new, larger church and rectory in April 1950 (cornerstone Oct. 5, 1950); the first Mass in the unfinished church was his funeral Mass after he died November 19, 1952. The campus grew with a 1963 fieldhouse, a 1966 gymnasium (later used by All Saints High School athletics), and a 1976 school that replaced a razed older building. Bay Area Catholic Schools consolidation ended classes on the St. Hyacinth campus in 2001. After the 2014 merger, the site was named an 'additional use' church for the new parish.
- Oct. 4, 1905: Bishop Richter approves creation of St. Hyacinth by separation from St. Stanislaus
- Dec. 8, 1907: First church dedicated (Feast of the Immaculate Conception)
- Oct. 5, 1950: Cornerstone laid for present-day church
- Nov. 19, 1952: Fr. Narloch dies; his funeral is the first Mass in the new church
- 1976: New school opens; original school razed
- July 1, 2014: Named 'Additional Church' of Our Lady of Czestochowa Parish by Bishop Cistone
- May 2, 2025: Bishop Gruss issues Decree for Closure
- July 28, 2025: Closure upheld and takes effect
Closure of St. Hyacinth (2025)
In June 2024, after years of declining membership and eroding finances, the parish Finance and Pastoral Council voted to recommend the closure of St. Hyacinth Church. After a period for comment, Bishop Robert D. Gruss issued a Decree for Closure on May 2, 2025. Following a hierarchical recourse review, the Decree was temporarily suspended; after prayerful consideration the Bishop upheld it, and the closure took effect on Monday, July 28, 2025. Parishioners were encouraged to continue liturgical life at St. Stanislaus Kostka or any of the other Catholic parishes in Bay City.
Worship & Liturgical Schedule
Mass and the sacraments are celebrated at the parish church of St. Stanislaus Kostka. Polish-language Mass is offered periodically (typically Sunday afternoons at 1:30 p.m.) in coordination with the Tri-City Polish Heritage Society — check the parish calendar or bulletin for the next scheduled date.
- Saturday Vigil: 4:30 p.m.
- Sunday: 9:00 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 6:00 p.m.
- Tuesday: 5:30 p.m.
- Wednesday: 8:00 a.m.
- Thursday: 8:00 a.m.
- Friday: 8:00 a.m.
- Sacrament of Penance: Saturday 11:00 a.m. (per the 2025 Diocesan Parish Directory) and Saturday 2:00–3:00 p.m. at St. Stanislaus Kostka (per the parish's diocese page)
- Periodic Mass in Polish: typically 1:30 p.m. Sunday
Staff, Clergy & Office
The parish is led by Pastor Rev. Nicholas F. Coffaro (appointed June 2023) and assisted by Permanent Deacon Stanley (Stanislaw) Kuczynski. Lay staff coordinate parish operations, faith formation, youth ministry, music, and finance.
- Rev. Nicholas F. Coffaro — Pastor ([email protected])
- Deacon Stanley Kuczynski — Deacon / Music Ministry ([email protected])
- Eileen Allison — Secretary ([email protected])
- Jennifer Watts — Bookkeeper
- Mary Roth — Faith Formation / Youth Ministry, Ext. 112 ([email protected])
- Sandy Bukowski — Music Ministry
- Diane Weiss / Sue Roznowski — Pastoral Ministry
- Parish Office Hours: Mon–Thu 9:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.; Fri 9:00 a.m.–Noon
- Phone: (989) 893-6421
Faith Formation & Religious Education
A full slate of formation opportunities serves children, youth, and adults under the Education & Faith Formation Commission. Programs are led by Diocesan-certified catechists and include sacramental preparation, family events, and two adult Scripture study tracks.
- Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults and Children (RCIA/RCIC) — for ages 7+ seeking baptism/full initiation, celebrated at the Easter Vigil
- Sacramental Preparation — Reconciliation (4 weeks in November); Confirmation and First Eucharist (6 weeks in Jan–Mar)
- Elementary Religious Education (Grades K–5) — October through April on multiple days
- Sunday Little Church — ages 3–4, Sundays during Mass October–April
- Adult Formation — Little Rock Scripture Study (September–May) and Catholic Scripture Study (weekly)
- Family Formation — seasonal Advent and Lent events, plus the John Paul II Parish Library
Music Ministry
Building on a long tradition of beautiful music in both founding parishes, the Music Ministry (led by Sandy Bukowski and Deacon Stanley Kuczynski) features cantors, multiple choirs for men, women, and children, accompanying musicians, and Polish hymns celebrating the parish's heritage. Polish-language skills are not a prerequisite to join — new members are always welcome at weekly rehearsal.
Liturgical Ministries
A Liturgy Commission of lay volunteers advises the pastor and coordinates the many ministries that make Mass possible, from greeting worshippers to distributing Holy Communion to the homebound.
- Lectors
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (incl. visits to the homebound and those in hospitals)
- Altar Servers (boys and girls of school age)
- Sacristans
- Ushers
- Greeters
- Church Cleaning / Decorating
Outreach, Charity & Fellowship
Through its Christian Service Commission and a wide array of parish groups, the parish reaches both parishioners and the wider Bay City community with material assistance, prayerful support, and fellowship.
- Parish Food Pantry — regional assistance for families in need; donations accepted year-round
- Grief Ministry / Funeral Luncheon — coordinates visitations, Rite of Christian Burial, and a low-cost funeral luncheon
- Baby Bottle Project (Mother's Day–Father's Day) — fundraiser for Bay County Right to Life
- Christmas Giving Trees — Advent giving for individuals with special needs or in need
- Prayer Line (adult and youth/peer)
- Prayer Shawl Ministry — knitted shawls and baby blankets for the newly baptized, shut-ins, and those in nursing homes
- Knights of Columbus — St. Stanislaus Kostka Council #12423 and Council #4102 (River Road), with Ladies' Auxiliaries
- Athletic Club — sponsors leagues and the annual Polish Festival (proceeds return to the parish)
- Rosary Altar Society
- Felician Sisters Auxiliary
- Seniors' Club (55+) — monthly luncheons, activities, and outings
- Scrapbookers — monthly fellowship
- Tri-City Polish Heritage Society — events, regional and international pilgrimages, Polish language classes
Polish Heritage & Identity
The parish explicitly celebrates the shared Polish heritage of Bay City's South End. A periodic Polish-language Mass is coordinated with the Tri-City Polish Heritage Society, Polish hymns are part of the music ministry, and the parish supports the Athletic Club's annual Polish Festival. The 1892 Neo-Gothic St. Stanislaus Kostka church carries a bilingual Polish-English historical marker.
Visiting the Parish
Whether you live in Bay City or are visiting the area, you are warmly invited to attend Mass or any parish event. The parish office is open Monday through Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Friday 9:00 a.m. to Noon. The St. Stanislaus Kostka campus features a central enclosed layout created during the 2007 Campus Project, with parking and an electronic sign announcing schedules and events for passers-by.
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Kazimierz Rochowski1874
Organized the original Polish community that founded St. Stanislaus Kostka in Bay City.
- Fr. Marian Matkowskilate 1800s–early 1900s
Built the present Neo-Gothic St. Stanislaus Kostka Church (cornerstone 1890, dedicated 1892).
- Fr. Edward Kozlowski1900–
Long-time pastor of St. Stanislaus who in October 1905 successfully petitioned Bishop Richter to divide the parish and create St. Hyacinth.
- Fr. Alexander Lipinski1905–
Inaugural pastor of St. Hyacinth Parish; oversaw construction and December 8, 1907 dedication of the original church.
- Fr. Andrew Narlochc. 1949–1952
Led construction of the new St. Hyacinth church (cornerstone 1950); died November 19, 1952 — his funeral was the first Mass in the new church.
- Fr. William Rutkowski2007 onward
Led the multi-year St. Stanislaus Kostka Campus Project beginning in 2007, with new Parish Center, parking and site improvements.
- Fr. Richard Filaryfirst pastor of merged parish, 2014
A son of St. Hyacinth (ordained there in 1982); first pastor of Our Lady of Czestochowa Parish after the 2014 merger.
- Rev. Nicholas F. Coffaro2023–present
First served at St. Stanislaus Kostka as a deacon in 2007; named pastor June 2023.