About St. Hedwig · Wilmington, Delaware
St. Hedwig Church is a historic Polish-American Roman Catholic parish in Wilmington, Delaware, founded in October 1890 to serve Polish immigrants arriving from the Prussian partition of Poland. It belongs to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Wilmington and remains the architectural and cultural anchor of Wilmington's Polish community, celebrated for being the only church in the entire state of Delaware with twin towers. The parish preserves its Polish heritage through a weekly Polish-language Mass while also offering English Masses, a religious education program, RCIA, Eucharistic Adoration, and ongoing devotions such as the Flame of Love and the Purgatorial Society Mass.
- Established
- 1890
- Patron
- St. Hedwig (Jadwiga), 13th-century Duchess of Poland and Patroness of Silesia
- Rector
- Rev. Andrew Molewski
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Wilmington
Why belong here
St. Hedwig is a living link between Wilmington's 19th-century Polish immigrants and today's faithful, offering one of the few weekly Polish-language Sunday Masses (11:30 AM) in the Diocese of Wilmington alongside English Masses. Parishioners can pray before the Blessed Sacrament daily during weekday Eucharistic Adoration (5:30–6:30 PM in the Chapel), take part in devotions like the Flame of Love (3rd Sunday at 4 PM) and the Purgatorial Society Mass (First Friday), and grow through CCD classes, RCIA, a parish choir, and prayer groups such as Our Lady Queen of Peace. It is also a registered National Historic Place — a worship space unlike any other in Delaware.
Mass times at St. Hedwig
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Monday–Friday 5:30–6:30 PM in the Chapel (before each Mass)
- Saturday 3:00–3:45 PM in the Church
- One-half hour before each weekend Mass
- By appointment
Adoration times
- Monday–Friday 5:30–6:30 PM in the Chapel
- Sunday 3:00–4:00 PM in the Church
Parish History
St. Hedwig was founded in October 1890 to minister to Polish immigrants arriving in Wilmington from the Prussian partition of Poland. The first pastor, Father Richard Aust, O.S.B., built an original combined church-and-school that quickly proved too small. Father John S. Gulcz, appointed first resident pastor in 1896, organized the funding and construction of the present church, which was dedicated in April 1905 to crowds reported by The Journal Every Evening. In the early twentieth century the Felician Sisters ran a parish school educating more than 500 pupils. The parish launched the annual May Polish Festival in 1956 and ran St. Hedwig's High School from 1960 to the 1970s. The current parish history page on sthedwigde.org is credited to Rev. Joseph Piekarski and Edward A. Lipka.
- Founded October 1890 under the patronage of St. Hedwig
- First pastor: Father Richard Aust, O.S.B.
- Father John S. Gulcz named first resident pastor in 1896
- Present church dedicated April 1905 — 'Thousands Witness Dedication of Church'
- Annual May Polish Festival since 1956
- St. Hedwig's High School operated 1960–1970s
- Added to the National Register of Historic Places, November 12, 1982
Our Patron: St. Hedwig
St. Hedwig (also called Jadwiga) was a thirteenth-century Duchess and Patroness of Silesia. Born in Andechs, Bavaria, the daughter of the Duke of Croatia and Dalmatia, she was the aunt of St. Elizabeth of Hungary. At twelve she married Duke Henry of Silesia, head of the Polish royal family; they had seven children and Henry founded a Cistercian convent at Trebnitz along with hospitals and monasteries. After Henry's death in 1238, Hedwig entered the convent at Trebnitz, mediated among her children, and buried a son killed fighting the Mongols. She died in the convent on October 15 and was canonized in 1266. Her feast day is October 15.
- Born in Andechs, Bavaria
- Married Duke Henry of Silesia at age 12
- Widow and Cistercian nun at Trebnitz
- Died October 15; canonized 1266
- Feast day: October 15
Architecture
Designed by Brilmaier & Sons of Milwaukee — whose work in Brooklyn had inspired Father Gulcz — the church is a cruciform neo-Gothic structure built in 1904. Massive granite forms the foundation, the walls are gray brick over concrete block, trimmings are cut Bedford stone and galvanized iron, and Bangor quarry slate covers the roof. Twin towers rise 135 feet, with a third smaller steeple above the transept, making it the only church in the Diocese of Wilmington and the State of Delaware with twin towers. It was the largest Catholic church in Wilmington upon completion and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982.
- Architect: Brilmaier & Sons of Milwaukee
- Style: late Gothic Revival / neo-Gothic
- Twin towers, 135 feet — the only twin-towered church in Delaware
- Granite foundation, gray-brick walls, Bedford stone and galvanized-iron trim, Bangor slate roof
- Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, 1982
Devotions & Prayer Groups
Beyond Mass and Reconciliation, the parish maintains a rich devotional life. The Purgatorial Society Mass is celebrated on the First Friday at 6:30 PM in the Chapel; the Flame of Love devotion meets on the 3rd Sunday of each month at 4:00 PM; Bible Study gathers every Thursday in the parish hall after the 6:30 PM Mass; religious articles are blessed on the 2nd weekend of each month at all Masses; and a rosary or related devotion is held every 2nd and 4th Saturday at 2:30 PM in Gulcz Hall. A monthly Healing & Anointing Service also appears on the parish calendar.
- Purgatorial Society Mass — First Friday, 6:30 PM in the Chapel
- Flame of Love — 3rd Sunday, 4:00 PM
- Bible Study — Thursdays after 6:30 PM Mass (parish hall)
- Blessing of Religious Articles — 2nd weekend of each month at all Masses
- Devotion — every 2nd & 4th Saturday at 2:30 PM in Gulcz Hall
- Monthly Healing & Anointing Service
Our Lady Queen of Peace Prayer Group
The prayer group meets every Thursday evening in St. John Paul II Chapel following the 6:30 PM evening Mass. Members gather first for Holy Mass at 6:30 PM and then for prayer and faith-sharing. All are welcome.
Religious Education & Becoming Catholic
The parish runs a Religious Education (CCD) program for children not attending Catholic school, with classes held Sunday mornings from 10:00 to 11:30 AM in Msgr. Gulcz Hall classroom from September through June. The Director of Religious Education, Ms. Rowenna Rego, can be reached at extension 3. Adults seeking to become Catholic or complete their sacraments journey through the parish's RCIA / OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) program, which moves through Pre-Catechumenate, Rite of Initiation, Catechumenate, Rite of Election, Sacraments of Initiation at the Easter Vigil, and Mystagogy.
- CCD classes Sunday 10:00–11:30 AM in Msgr. Gulcz Hall (Sept.–June)
- Director: Ms. Rowenna Rego, ext. 3
- RCIA/OCIA steps: Inquiry → Rite of Initiation → Catechumenate → Rite of Election → Sacraments at Easter Vigil → Mystagogy
Sacraments
The parish welcomes requests for all the usual sacraments. Baptisms are scheduled by calling the Parish Office during office hours. Engaged couples should contact the office at least six months in advance — the bulletin suggests one year — to reserve the church, schedule musicians, and complete marriage preparation; parishioners and non-parishioners alike may be married at St. Hedwig. Reconciliation is offered on the regular schedule and by appointment. The Anointing of the Sick and Communion visits can be arranged by calling the office; parishioners planning surgery are encouraged to contact the priest beforehand.
- Baptism — call Parish Office to arrange
- Marriage — contact office at least 6 months (recommended 1 year) in advance
- Reconciliation — see regular schedule or by appointment
- Anointing of the Sick — by request through the Parish Office
Parish Staff
The parish is led by Pastor Rev. Andrew Molewski, with Fr. Janusz Brembor serving as Associate Pastor. Ms. Rowenna Rego directs Religious Education; Ms. Charlotte Coletta leads the Music Ministry; and Linda Mondzelewski serves as Parish Secretary. All staff can be reached through the main parish number (302) 594-1400, extension 0, with Religious Education on extension 3.
- Rev. Andrew Molewski — Pastor, ext. 0
- Fr. Janusz Brembor — Associate Pastor, ext. 0
- Ms. Rowenna Rego — Religious Education, ext. 3
- Ms. Charlotte Coletta — Music Ministry, ext. 0
- Linda Mondzelewski — Parish Secretary, ext. 0
Parish Ministries, Organizations & Events
The parish supports a wide range of lay ministries and organizations listed on sthedwigde.org, including the Religious Education (CCD) program, Our Lady Queen of Peace Prayer Group, Altar Servers, Parish Council, Liturgy Committee, Choir, and an Alumni Association. A weekly parish bulletin carries the schedule of upcoming events and ongoing announcements; the parish also references off-site events at Concord Mall on Route 202.
- Religious Education (CCD)
- Our Lady Queen of Peace Prayer Group
- Altar Servers
- Parish Council
- Liturgy Committee
- Choir
- Alumni Association
Visit, Contact & Directions
St. Hedwig Church is located at 408 S Harrison Street, Wilmington, DE 19805, on the corner of Linden and South Harrison Streets. The parish office can be reached at (302) 594-1400 or [email protected]. Parking is available in the parish lot on the site of the original 1890 church-and-school building. The parish has occasionally used Concord Mall (between Sears and the DoubleTree Hotel on Route 202) for larger festival events.
- Address: 408 S Harrison St, Wilmington, DE 19805
- Phone: (302) 594-1400
- Email: [email protected]
- Parking: on-site parish lot (former site of the 1890 church-and-school)
- Larger festival events: Concord Mall parking lot, Route 202
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Richard Aust, O.S.B.1890–c. 1896
First pastor; Polish Benedictine priest sent by the Order of the Sacred Heart to minister to the growing Polish community. Oversaw the construction of the original combined church-and-school building on the present parking lot site.
- Rev. John S. Gulcz1896–onward
First resident pastor; born in Poznań, came from New York on the recommendation of Archbishop Michael Corrigan. Organized the building committee (June 30, 1899), raised the funds for the present church and rectory, hired Brilmaier & Sons of Milwaukee, and laid the cornerstone on July 3, 1904. Hall used for parish activities is named Msgr. Gulcz Hall in his honor.