About Our Lady of Czestochowa · Worcester, Massachusetts
Our Lady of Czestochowa Parish (also known as St. Mary's) is a Polish-American Roman Catholic parish in Worcester, Massachusetts, founded in 1903 by Polish immigrants and dedicated to the Black Madonna of Częstochowa. The church building was completed and first used for Mass on August 15, 1906 (the Feast of the Assumption), and was formally dedicated by Bishop Thomas D. Beaven of the Springfield diocese on November 29, 1906. The parish sits in the Diocese of Worcester (currently under Bishop Robert J. McManus) and continues its bilingual mission in English and Polish, evangelizing, forming disciples, and celebrating the sacraments "for the glory of God and the salvation of souls." It is one of the historic Polish-American parishes of New England that has served generations of Worcester's Polonia.
- Established
- 1903
- Patron
- Our Lady of Częstochowa (Black Madonna)
- Rector
- Rev. Tomasz Góra (Administrator)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Worcester
Why belong here
Our Lady of Czestochowa offers a vibrant, bilingual Roman Catholic community where Polish heritage and American Catholic life meet. A parishioner can worship in English or Polish at multiple daily and Sunday Masses, walk through a church rich with sacred art — stained glass, relics of St. Faustina, St. John Paul II, St. Maximilian Kolbe, Bl. Fr. Jerzy Popiełuszko, and Bl. Mother Elżbieta Róża Czacka, and a registered copy of the Divine Mercy image from Kraków — and grow in faith through the ALPHA Course, Nowe Życie retreats, Polish and English Bible Study, the Metanoia Community, Men of St. Joseph, Unity and Mercy Ministries, and sacramental preparation for First Penance and First Eucharist. With weekly Confession, Friday Eucharistic Adoration, devotions to Our Lady of Perpetual Help and St. John Paul II, and a supportive staff of clergy, deacons, and lay ministers, the parish welcomes anyone who wishes to register as part of its family and journey in faith.
Mass times at Our Lady of Czestochowa
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Wednesday: 6:00 PM
- Saturday: 7:30 AM and 3:00 PM
- First Thursday: 7:00 PM
- First Friday: 5:30 PM (and 5:45 PM per weekly bulletin)
Adoration times
- Every Friday: 3:00 PM to 6:30 PM (begins with bilingual Chaplet of Divine Mercy)
- First Thursday: after 6:30 PM Mass until 7:45 PM
Parish History
Founded in 1903 by Worcester's Polish immigrant community and dedicated on November 29, 1906, Our Lady of Czestochowa — also known as St. Mary's — has served generations of Polish-American Catholics in central Massachusetts. Early fundraising began in 1900 through house-to-house canvassing, fairs, picnics, and amateur theatricals; founders met at Worcester's Hotel Vernon on May 8, 1902, and land was purchased on Richland Street in 1901. Eight pastors have led the parish, the longest being Msgr. Boleslaw A. Bojanowski, who served 43 years and built the parish school system.
- 1900: Fundraising campaign for a Polish church begins
- 1902 (May 8): Founders meet at Hotel Vernon
- 1903: Rev. John Z. Moneta assigned as first pastor
- 1906 (Aug 15): First Mass celebrated in new church (Feast of the Assumption)
- 1906 (Nov 29): Church formally dedicated by Bishop Thomas D. Beaven
- 2020 (June): Parish school (St. Mary's PreK-12) closes after 105 years
Devotions & Special Services
Alongside the regular schedule, Our Lady of Czestochowa nurtures a rich devotional life rooted in Polish Catholic tradition. The Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help is prayed Wednesdays after evening Mass, and the Novena to St. John Paul II is prayed on the third Wednesday of each month. The Chaplet of Divine Mercy is prayed bilingually each Friday at 3:00 PM, opening the Friday Adoration. Marian devotion is marked in May (Nabożeństwo Majowe) Monday through Friday after Mass and Sunday after the late Mass, and October brings the Rosary Devotion with the Rosary prayed before evening Mass on weekdays and at 3:30 PM Saturday / 10:30 AM Sunday. Tuesday evenings at 6:00 PM feature Metanoia worship and adoration in Polish.
- Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help – Wednesdays after evening Mass
- Novena to St. John Paul II – Third Wednesday after evening Mass
- Chaplet of Divine Mercy – Friday 3:00 PM (bilingual)
- May Devotion (Nabożeństwo Majowe) – daily in May
- October Rosary – before evening Mass / Sat 3:30 PM / Sun 10:30 AM
- Metanoia worship – Tuesdays 6:00 PM
Sacraments
The parish celebrates all seven sacraments of the Roman Catholic Church: Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Penance (Reconciliation), Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders, and Matrimony. Preparation for First Penance and First Eucharist is a two-year process; children typically receive immediate preparation in second grade but must be enrolled in religious education for at least one year prior. Parents preparing their children for the First Sacraments attend monthly adult formation sessions. Information about scheduling Baptism, weddings, and other sacraments is available by contacting the rectory.
- Baptism
- First Penance & First Eucharist (two-year preparation)
- Confirmation
- Reconciliation (Confession)
- Anointing of the Sick
- Marriage / Matrimony
- Holy Orders
Faith Formation & Ministries
Religious education for children (CCD) and ongoing formation for adults are coordinated by Agata Hannoush (Pastoral Administrative Assistant and Religious Education Coordinator) and Maryanna Hiester (Adult Faith Formation). The parish runs a bilingual sacramental-prep program for First Penance and First Eucharist. Adult enrichment includes the ALPHA Course (directed by Marek Brzóska), the Nowe Życie (New Life) weekend retreat, Bible Study in Polish, and an English Bible Study that began in late 2024 alongside the Unity and Mercy Ministries. The Metanoia Community gathers for worship and Eucharistic adoration on Tuesday evenings, while the Men of St. Joseph Group and the parish's Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion extend the parish's service.
- Religious Education / CCD (bilingual)
- First Sacraments preparation (two-year program)
- Adult Faith Formation
- ALPHA Course
- Nowe Życie (New Life) retreat
- Polish & English Bible Studies
- Metanoia Community
- Men of St. Joseph
- Unity and Mercy Ministries
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
Sacred Art, Relics & Renovations
The church's sanctuary houses a registered digital canvas copy of the miraculous Divine Mercy image painted by Adolf Hyla, venerated at the shrine in Kraków, Poland. Two wooden reliquaries crafted and donated by parishioners Artur and Marta Nowak hold First Class Relics of St. Faustina Kowalska, St. John Paul II, St. Maximilian Kolbe, Bl. Fr. Jerzy Popiełuszko, and Bl. Mother Elżbieta Róża Czacka. The marble altar and pulpit installed under Msgr. Chester J. Janczukowicz remain in use, and the stained glass windows seen today were also installed during his pastorate. Bishop Robert McManus approved the move of the tabernacle with the Blessed Sacrament from the side altar back to the main altar. Under Fr. Ryszard Polek (from 2014), extensive physical renovations transformed the rectory, parking, church steeple and roof, lower church, and added a handicap-accessible restroom.
- Divine Mercy image (registered copy from Kraków shrine)
- Reliquaries with relics of St. Faustina, St. John Paul II, St. Maximilian Kolbe, Bl. Fr. Popiełuszko, Bl. Mother Czacka
- Marble altar and pulpit (Janczukowicz era)
- Stained glass windows (replaced under Msgr. Janczukowicz)
- Tabernacle returned to main altar (Bishop McManus-approved)
- Steeple, roof, AC, lower-church waterproofing, handicap restroom (Polek era renovations)
Music & Liturgy
Music is led by Edward Smreczak, the parish's Organist and Choir Director, supported by a volunteer choir loft and a dedicated rehearsal room constructed during the recent renovations. Liturgical celebrations draw on both English and Polish Catholic musical traditions, fitting the parish's bilingual rhythm of worship.
- Edward Smreczak – Organist and Choir Director
- Choir loft rehearsal room (built under Fr. Polek)
- Bilingual hymnody in English and Polish
The School's Closing & Legacy
From 1915 until 2020 the parish operated St. Mary's School, expanding under Msgr. Bojanowski to include a high school (opened September 1936) with auditorium and gymnasium. After fires in 1959, a new high school was dedicated in 1964 under Msgr. Chwalek. In June 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, low enrollment and insufficient funds forced the closure of St. Mary's PreK-12 — ending a 105-year chapter of parish education. The school building and Visitation House (former convent) were sold on March 31, 2021; after paying off over $172,000 in school debt, the remaining proceeds were deposited in the parish's DEF savings account. The building was later renovated by its new owner and reopened as Learning First Charter Public School.
- 1915: Parish school opens
- 1936: High school opens
- 1964: New high school dedicated after 1959 fires
- 2020 (June): St. Mary's PreK-12 closes
- 2021 (March 31): School and convent sold
- Building now home to Learning First Charter Public School
Contact & Visiting
Parishioners and visitors may contact Our Lady of Czestochowa by phone at 508-755-5959 or by email at [email protected]; the mailing address is 34 Ward Street, Worcester, MA 01610. The parish invites newcomers to register as members of the parish family. Weekly bulletins, parish news, and Flocknote announcements are sent to parishioners via email or phone through the parish's Flocknote system, and On-Line Giving is also available through the website.
- Address: 34 Ward Street, Worcester, MA 01610
- Phone: 508-755-5959
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: olcworcester.com
- On-Line Giving available
- Weekly bulletins via Flocknote (email or phone)
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. John Z. Moneta1903–1907
First resident pastor; celebrated the first Mass in the new church on August 15, 1906; died less than a year after the church dedication; buried in Notre Dame Cemetery, Worcester.
- Rev. Peter C. Reding1907–1911
Second pastor; died November 5, 1911.
- Rev. Joseph Tomikowski1911–1913
Third pastor; transferred by the Bishop to Immaculate Conception Parish in Indian Orchard in 1913.
- Rev. Boleslaw A. Bojanowski1913–1956
Fourth pastor and longest-serving; built the parish school (1914–1915, completed 1926) and opened the parish high school in 1936; elevated to Domestic Prelate by Pope Pius XI in 1926 and invested as Right Reverend Monsignor by Bishop Thomas M. O'Leary on February 24, 1935; served 43 years; died June 9, 1964.
- Rev. Charles J. Chwalek1956–1976
Fifth pastor; renovated and enlarged the church, moved the rectory, oversaw the 1964 high school after fires in 1959; elevated to Domestic Prelate March 19, 1961; retired June 15, 1976.
- Rev. Chester J. Janczukowicz1976–1993
Sixth pastor; born and baptized at the parish; curate here 1954–1966; reorganized the school, redecorated the church, installed the marble altar and pulpit, replaced all stained glass windows, added new siding, restored the statues and Christmas manger; elevated to Monsignor by Bishop Harrington; served 29 years total; died May 20, 1997.
- Rev. Thaddeus X. Stachura1993–2014
Seventh pastor; served 21 years; now Pastor Emeritus in residence.
- Rev. Ryszard Polek2014–
Eighth pastor; previously Associate Pastor under Fr. Stachura since July 1, 2009; launched the Renovation Fund and major physical and spiritual renewal of the parish.