About Saint Hedwig · South Bend, Indiana
Saint Hedwig Parish in South Bend, Indiana is a historic Roman Catholic community founded in 1877 by Polish immigrants and recognized as the Mother Parish of South Bend's Polish Catholic community. The present Romanesque church, dedicated April 8, 1883, stands 156 feet tall on South Scott Street and is the oldest church building in South Bend. On August 22, 2024 Saint Hedwig was canonically merged with its neighbor across the street, the 1858-founded Saint Patrick Parish, forming one combined parish — Saint Patrick Saint Hedwig Parish — that operates in both historic church buildings. The merged parish is now served by the Dominican Province of St. Albert the Great and falls within the Diocese of Fort Wayne–South Bend.
- Established
- 1877
- Patron
- Saint Hedwig of Silesia (Jadwiga Śląska, c. 1174–1243), Duchess of Silesia and patron saint of Silesia and of Poland
- Rector
- Rev. Reginald (Ryan) Wolford, O.P.
- Diocese
- Diocese of Fort Wayne–South Bend (Bishop: Most Rev. Kevin C. Rhoades)
Why belong here
Saint Hedwig is a small, historic downtown parish where Polish-rooted Catholic devotion meets a welcoming, bilingual-style urban community just west of downtown South Bend. The combined Saint Patrick Saint Hedwig Parish offers daily and weekend Mass in two beautiful historic churches, frequent confession (almost every day, under the new Dominican pastor), a monthly Eucharistic Holy Hour with Benediction, Lenten Stations of the Cross, and a vibrant list of lay ministries — choir, lectors, Eucharistic Ministers, Greeters, the Altar & Rosary Society, RCIA, and more. With its recent consolidation under the Dominican Fathers, parishioners can be part of a renewed community witnessing to South Bend's immigrant Catholic heritage while serving the wider neighborhood.
Mass times at Saint Hedwig
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Tuesday–Friday: 11:45 AM – 12:15 PM at St. Patrick Church
- Saturday: 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM at St. Hedwig Church
- Sunday: 8:30 AM – 9:00 AM at St. Hedwig Church
- Sunday: after the 10:30 AM Mass at St. Patrick Church
- Sunday: 5:00 PM – 5:30 PM at St. Patrick Church
Adoration times
- First Monday of every month — Adoration following the 12:15 PM Mass, ending with Benediction at 1:30 PM
Saint Hedwig Parish — A Polish-Catholic Landmark of South Bend
Founded in 1877 by Polish immigrants who had settled on South Bend's West Side, Saint Hedwig Parish has long been recognized as the Mother Church of South Bend's Polish Catholic community. The parish's Romanesque church, dedicated in 1883, is the oldest church building in the city. For nearly 150 years Saint Hedwig has gathered generations of Polish-American families on South Scott Street in the West Washington National Historic District. In 2024 it was canonically merged with neighboring Saint Patrick Parish, forming one combined parish of two historic churches served by the Dominican Province of St. Albert the Great.
- Founded 1877 by Polish immigrants
- Church built 1881–1883, dedicated April 8, 1883
- Mother Parish of South Bend's Polish Catholic community
- Oldest church building standing in South Bend
- Merged with Saint Patrick Parish on August 22, 2024
History of the Parish
Polish immigrants arriving in the 1870s found work in South Bend's factories and initially worshipped at Saint Patrick Church. In 1877 they organized their own national parish under the direction of the Congregation of Holy Cross, with Father Walenty Czyzewski, CSC as founding pastor (serving until his death in 1913). Under his leadership daughter Polish parishes were founded — St. Stanislaus and St. Adalbert among them. The present Romanesque church was built between 1881 and 1883 and dedicated April 8, 1883. The parish ran an elementary school until 1967 and a high school that, through successive names, evolved into today's Saint Joseph High School. Over the decades Saint Hedwig and Saint Patrick — once rival Irish and Polish parishes on opposite sides of the street — were eventually twinned under one pastoral staff in 2001, then fully merged in 2024.
- 1877 — Parish founded; first pastor Fr. Walenty Czyzewski, CSC
- 1881–1883 — Romanesque church built
- April 8, 1883 — Church dedicated
- 1913 — Death of founding pastor
- 1928 — Parish high school opens
- 1936 — Renamed South Bend Catholic High School
- 1953 — Becomes today's Saint Joseph High School
- 1967 — Elementary school closes
- 2001 — Twinned with St. Patrick under one pastoral staff
- August 22, 2024 — Canonical merger with St. Patrick
- August 30, 2025 — Dominican Fathers arrive; Fr. Reginald Wolford, O.P. installed as pastor
Architecture & Building
The Saint Hedwig church is a Romanesque-style building standing approximately 156 feet tall and richly decorated with vibrant stained glass windows. As the oldest church building still standing in South Bend, it has been carefully maintained and renovated several times — most notably in 1989 and 1998. The adjoining rectory (St. Hedwig Rectory) houses the parish offices of the combined Saint Patrick Saint Hedwig Parish.
- Romanesque architectural style
- Approximately 156 feet tall
- Vibrant stained glass windows
- Oldest standing church in South Bend
- Renovated 1989 and 1998
Patron Saint — Saint Hedwig of Silesia (1174–1243)
Saint Hedwig of Silesia was born into a noble family in the historic Duchy of Bavaria (in present-day Germany) and married Henry, heir to the Duke of Silesia, becoming Duchess of Silesia in 1201. She and Henry had seven children. She is renowned for her charity: she used her wealth and influence to found monasteries, religious communities for men and women, and hospitals — including one for lepers. After Henry's death in 1238 she entered the Cistercian convent at Trebnitz, which she and Henry had founded in 1202 and where Henry is buried. Canonized in 1267, she is the patron saint of Silesia and Poland. Her feast day is October 16.
- Born c. 1174, died 1243
- Duchess of Silesia from 1201
- Mother of seven
- Founded monasteries, religious communities and hospitals
- Entered Cistercian convent at Trebnitz in 1238
- Canonized 1267
- Patron of Silesia and of Poland
- Feast Day: October 16
Parish Staff & Clergy
The combined Saint Patrick Saint Hedwig Parish is served by a pastor from the Dominican Province of St. Albert the Great and a lay staff who minister to the two historic churches. The pastor is assisted by a parish secretary, business manager, event/banquet manager, wedding coordinator, music director, and custodian.
- Rev. Reginald (Ryan) Wolford, O.P. — Pastor ([email protected], 574-287-8932)
- Rose Burns — Parish Secretary ([email protected])
- Emmy Snyder — Business Manager ([email protected], 574-287-8935)
- Shelly Lewis — Event / Banquet Manager ([email protected], 574-298-0983)
- Laura Popielski — Wedding Coordinator ([email protected], 574-274-9318)
- Jim Nowinski — Organist / Music Director ([email protected], 574-277-3369)
- Nick Triest — Custodian / Property Maintenance
Ministries & Lay Involvement
The parish offers a wide range of ministries for parishioners wishing to share their time and talent — both liturgical (choir, lectors, Extraordinary Ministers, altar servers, sacristans) and pastoral/social (Altar & Rosary Society, Greeters, Ushers, RCIA, Baptism Preparation, Offertory Counters, Finance Council, Parish Pastoral Council, youth ministry, and St. Vincent de Paul outreach). The combined parish also runs an annual bazaar and various men's and women's groups.
- Liturgical: Choir, Cantors, Lectors, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, Senior Altar Servers, Sacristans
- Hospitality: Greeters, Ushers
- Formation: RCIA (Sept–Easter Vigil), Baptism Preparation, CCD/sacramental prep
- Parish life: Altar & Rosary Society, Finance Council, Parish Pastoral Council, annual parish bazaar, men's and women's groups, youth ministry
- Outreach: Homebound/hospital visitation, St. Vincent de Paul Society
Sacraments
Saint Patrick Saint Hedwig Parish celebrates all seven Catholic sacraments. Parents are asked to contact the parish for Baptism Preparation; older children should register for CCD and sacramental preparation. Couples preparing for marriage work with the Wedding Coordinator. Adult candidates seeking full initiation are welcomed through the RCIA program, which runs from early September to the Easter Vigil each year (registration and preliminary interviews take place May–August).
- Baptism (Preparation required)
- First Communion & Confirmation (via CCD / sacramental prep)
- Matrimony (via Wedding Coordinator Laura Popielski)
- Reconciliation / Confession (multiple times weekly)
- Anointing of the Sick (homebound / hospitalized)
- RCIA for adult catechumens and candidates
Hedwig Memorial Hall & Facilities
Adjacent to Saint Hedwig Church is the Hedwig Memorial Hall, a banquet and event venue available for weddings, anniversaries, and other celebrations. The center can be rented in three configurations (West Hall up to 100/185, East Hall up to 180/350, or both halls up to 400/650). Catering features a signature Polish-style family-style dinner (chicken, sausage, whipped potatoes and gravy, noodles, sweet/sour cabbage, green beans with carrots, rolls), with full bar service, table linens, up-lighting, and other options. A South Bend police officer and special event insurance are mandatory; reservations are coordinated through Event Manager Shelly Lewis at 574-298-0983.
- Three rental configurations: West Hall, East Hall, or both halls
- Signature Polish-style family-style dinner ($20/person)
- Full bar packages (open bar, top-shelf bar, cash bar, beer/wine/pop)
- Round tables, linens, chair covers & sashes available
- Up-lighting in 7 colors
- South Bend police officer required for events
- Booking: Shelly Lewis, 574-298-0983, [email protected]
The 2024 Merger & the Dominican Arrival
On August 22, 2024 Saint Patrick Parish (founded 1858, the Mother Parish of South Bend) and Saint Hedwig Parish (founded 1877, the Mother Parish of South Bend's Polish community) were canonically merged into one parish — Saint Patrick Saint Hedwig Parish — with both historic churches retained. The next year, Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades invited the Dominican community in Bloomington to found a priory at the parish. On August 30, 2025 Bishop Rhoades installed Father Reginald Wolford, O.P. — previously at St. Paul Catholic Center in Bloomington — as pastor and superior of the new Dominican community. The Dominicans have brought new energy, more frequent confession opportunities, and increased Mass attendance, with the parish reporting renewed growth as it serves downtown South Bend and the West Washington neighborhood.
- Parishes canonically merged August 22, 2024
- Both historic churches remain open for sacraments
- Now a Ministry of the Dominican Province of St. Albert the Great
- Fr. Reginald Wolford, O.P. installed as pastor August 30, 2025
- Confession made available almost every day under new pastor
- Strong lay Dominican chapter present in the parish
- Renewed growth in Mass attendance reported
Visiting & Getting in Touch
The parish office is located in the St. Hedwig Rectory at 331 S. Scott Street, South Bend, IN 46601, on the western edge of downtown South Bend in the West Washington National Historic District. Office hours are Monday–Thursday, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM (closed for the noon hour). Visitors and newcomers are warmly welcomed.
- Parish Office: 331 S. Scott Street, South Bend, IN 46601
- Office Phone: 574-287-8932
- Office Email: [email protected]
- Office Hours: Mon–Thu 9 AM–12 PM & 1 PM–4 PM (closed 12–1 PM)
- Website: https://www.saintpatricksainthedwig.church/
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Walenty Czyzewski, CSC1877–1913
First pastor of St. Hedwig; a Holy Cross priest who served until his death and under whom the daughter parishes of St. Stanislaus and St. Adalbert were founded.
- Rev. Cyril Fernandes
Pastor of the combined St. Patrick / St. Hedwig pastoral staff, mentioned c. 2016 when parishes were under one staff.
- Rev. Eric Zimmer
Pastor of St. Patrick and St. Hedwig at the time of the announced canonical merger (announced c. 2024).
- Rev. Albert Owusu-Afriyie
Parochial Vicar of St. Patrick–St. Hedwig Parish (mentioned in diocesan assignments, prior to July 2025).
- Rev. Reginald (Ryan) Wolford, O.P.Installed August 30, 2025
First Dominican pastor; previously at St. Paul Catholic Center, Bloomington. Also serves as superior of the new Dominican community at the parish.