At a meeting of the lay society of Saints Peter and Paul of Harrison, New Jersey, held at their usual meeting place on September 7th, 1906, it was proposed that a census be made of the Polish population in Harrison. They selected a committee to visit the homes of the Polish inhabitants of Harrison. This committee comprised of Alexander Naniewicz, Isidor Szurkiewicz, Stanislaus Banach and Vincent Romanowski reported their findings of 135 families and 308 individuals. An appeal was made to the Rev. Vitus Masnicki, then Pastor of St. Stanislaus Church in Newark, to preside at a Mass Meeting held July 28th, 1907. The following were chosen to solicit donations for the purchase of land for a future church, namely: Anthony Budkiewicz, Adam Pawczynski, Alexander Naniewicz, Mamert Kaminski, Stanislaus Banach, Isidor Szurkiewicz and Ignatius Bednarski. The drive for funds began July 30th, 1907. The sum of $841.40 was received. Another parish meeting was held on October 20, 1907 and the Rev. Vitus Masnicki proposed that a new committee be chosen for the purpose of seeking out a proper location for a church, but this new committee did not give a report for eight months. While Father Masnicki was away on vacation in June 1908, the Rev. Boleslaus Kwiatkowski pastor of St. Anthony's Church, Jersey City, sent his curate the Rev. Francis Rolinski to a new parish meeting held July 12th, 1908. Father Rolinski proposed to the people that the new church should bear the name of Our Lady of Czestochowa. New trustees were chosen, and they were: Anthony Budkiewicz and Mamert Kaminski.

            The Church was incorporated August 6th, 1908. The first Holy Mass was celebrated August 21st, 1908 in the parish hall of Holy Cross Church in Harrison. This hall was used for all Sunday Masses. On January 31st, 1909 a parish meeting was held in Holy Cross hall. The Rev. Boleslaus Kwiatkowski presided and announced the choice of a location for the church. This was the McDonald property situated at the South West corner of Hamilton St. and Davis Ave., in Harrison. Two Hundred dollars were deposited with the intent to buy these 12 lots and the house. However, due to lack of funds, this sale was not concluded and the deposit was not returned. The people became impatient and appealed to the Rev. Vitus Masnicki, who was now pastor of St. Adalbert’s Church in Elizabeth and to Bishop John J. O'Connor of Newark to send them an appointed pastor. Bishop O'Connor assigned the Rev. Joseph Ziemba, who was an assistant priest to Father Masnicki, as pastor of Our Lady of Czestochowa on June 13th, 1909. Father Ziemba, however, resigned as pastor on September 26th, 1909. Bishop O'Connor then appointed Rev. Francis Stefanski as pastor of Our Lady of Czestochowa on October 1st, 1909. Father Stefanski purchased 6 lots and three additional houses on the South East corner of North Second St. and Cleveland Ave. for the sum of $14,741.73 on November 13th, 1909. The Most Rev. Bishop O'Connor gave permission to build the church after he approved the plans. A small frame building was erected and the first religious service was held in it on January 1st, 1910. The Most Rev. Bishop John J. O’Connor dedicated the church on January 30th, 1910. Father Maurice O’Connor pastor of Holy Cross Church in Harrison celebrated a High Mass, and Rev. Vitus Masnicki of St. Adalbert's Church, Elizabeth - preached the sermon. The church bell was blessed on February 13th, 1910, and in September a new school was opened in one of the three buildings purchased. In the year 1916, the old St. Pius School on Third and Jersey Streets, was purchased from Holy Cross church at a price of $22,500.00 and this old building was remodeled for use as a church and school. The property on Cleveland Ave. was leased to the Polish Sokol (Falcons) Society. The transfer from Cleveland Ave. to Jersey St. irritated the congregation and it was lagging in its support of the new location. As a result Father Stefanski resigned as pastor on June 22nd, 1921, leaving the parish with a debt of $63,275.00.

            On June 23rd, 1921 the most Rev. Bishop John J. O'Connor appointed the Rev, Julian F. Szpilman as pastor of Our Lady of Czestochowa Church. The new pastor said two Holy Masses in the church on June 26th, 1921 and pleaded with the people to live in harmony and to support the church, which they did slowly but gradually, and the debt was practically paid in full by 1927. On December 26th, 1927 the day after Christmas our school children participated in a Christmas show in the Harrison High School auditorium. While the parishioners were away, a suspicious fire appeared in the church about six o'clock in the evening and it destroyed the buildings. Parish trustee Bronislaw Dunaj ran into the burning building, risked his life, and saved the Blessed Sacrament. From this day on and until April 1929 the church Holy Masses were held in Holy Cross school hall. The school children were quartered in different places temporarily, some in Holy Cross School, others in the A. O. H. Club, the Knights of Columbus basement and the Town Hall. The nuns were housed in the Holy Cross nursery and the pastor rented quarters on the second floor at 14 S. Third St. and later in a one family house at 18 S. Third St, Harrison. Permission to build a church and school on the same location, where the fire occurred was obtained in May, 1928 from the Most Reverend Archbishop Thomas A. Walsh, who had just left Trenton Diocese to assume the duties of his office in this Newark Diocese. The ceremony of the breaking of ground for the new church and school took place on June 24th, 1928. With the Rev. Paul Knappek, pastor of St. Casmir’s church in Newark officiating. The building operations began soon after, and on the ashes of the old arose a new combination church and school edifice with space for 14 classrooms. The Most Rev. Ignatius Dubowski, a Bishop from Poland visiting the United States at the time, blessed the corner stone on Sunday, September 23rd, 1928. The first Christmas services were held in the basement of the partially constructed building. When the construction work was completed, the new church and school were blessed and dedicated on May 26th, 1929 by the Most Rev. Archbishop Thomas J. Walsh of Newark. In 1930 plans were made for a new rectory to be situated on the corner of South Third St. and Warren St. This corner property was purchased at a cost of $8,000.00. The rectory was completed and occupied in January 1931. The school was under direction of Sisters of the Order of Daughters of Mary of the Immaculate Conception, from New Britain, Connecticut. The priests who assisted the Rev. Francis Stefanski in the parish were: the Rev. Bernard Skulik and the Rev. Edward Uminski. Those, who were sent to assist the Rev. Julian Szpilman in the parish work were: Rev. John Witkiewicz from May, 1932 to May, 1957; the Rev. Walter Czermak, who began his work as an assistant priest here in May, 1937, and Rev. Henry Kaminski was assigned in May, 1953.

            In 1958 the Golden Jubilee was celebrated. The parish of Our Lady of Czestochowa was the center of religious and cultural life of the Polish population in Harrison. This wonderful time of our parish had success with priests and parishioners starting new phases of work. The sisters led the parish school on very high standards. A year after the Golden Jubilee, Rev. John Paprocki was ordained, and Pastor Szpilman received from Pope John XXIII the title of Monsignor. Monsignor Szpilman didn’t slow the pace of his work; he was challenging himself, other priests and our parishioners. The Sisters of the Order of Daughters of Mary of the Immaculate Conception bravely carried their school duties. Their work exhibited wonderful results. During the time of Monsignor Szpilman our parish choir St. Cecilia’s under the director Alfred Sitek was active and melodious, and rehearsals were conducted regularly. In 1968 Monsignor Julian Szpilman retired and became pastor emeritus with residence at Our Lady of Czestochowa. It is impossible to count, how much work, time, and Sacraments he administered to his parishioners. Archbishop Thomas Boland appointed new pastor, Rev. Dr. Zygmunt Zajkowski. During this time, a young priest from Bayonne, Rev. Richard Asakiewicz was appointed parish assistant. This priest led the youth groups, and parish men and women societies: Rosary Altar Society, Holy Name Society, St. Theresa Society, and Third Order of Saint Francis. Very soon after, Archbishop Thomas Boland sent him to the University of Louven (Belgium). Many parishioners form Harrison went to Belgium for his doctorate graduation. Father Richard Asakiewicz was honored by the attendance of his parishioners. In the meantime Rev. Henry Kaminski became a dean of West Hudson Deanery. As a parochial vicar, dean, and good friend of Bishop Dominic Marconi, he was spending his free time on the golf course. In this way Father Kaminski recruited many new members for Our Lady of Grace Council Knights of Columbus, 402 Harrison, and became the chaplain of this council. In 1974 Archbishop Thomas Boland retired, and was succeeded by Bishop Peter L. Gerety from Portland.

            In 1976 Father John Olszewski was transferred from Bayonne, and assumed the office of pastor of the parish Our Lady of Czestochowa. After assuming office as pastor, Rev. John Olszewski started repairs and renovation of the church with founding from the Port Authority of NY/NJ. The State of New Jersey began building an extension of the highway I-280, and many parishioners had been displaced from Harrison and their homes were demolished. The interstate 280 that runs through the parish parking lot, caused noise and vibrations of the church. The money received from a portion of the parish parking lot, was enough for new noise-cancelling windows for the parish school, new air conditioners, and central heating for the school and church. The priest who assisted the Rev. John Olszewski in the parish was Rev. Chester Golabek. 1976 began the 41st International Eucharistic Congress held in Philadelphia. A delegate of Polish Conference of Catholic Bishops was Cardinal Karol Wojtyla. During private conferences, pastors asked for new priests for Polish parishes. Father John Olszewski was interested in getting a new Polish priest. Before Christmas 1977, Archbishop Gerety invited six Polish priests from different Polish dioceses. One of them, Rev. Stanislaw Irek from Wroclaw, was sent to Our Lady of Czestochowa. Father Irek began work on January 4th, 1978, after a short training in Orchard Lake, Michigan. The work was very satisfying, but because of homesickness for Poland, after 5 years, Rev Irek went back to Wroclaw. He was succeeded by Rev. Jozef Weligala, also from Wroclaw Poland. Father Weligala was an excellent singer, an eminent preacher and confessor. Cooperation thrived, and many parishioners attended Holy Masses, parish societies, and the school was prospering. In addition to the parish school, the parish provided the CCD for the children from the public schools.

            The time flew by, and after 5 years Rev. Weligala left our parish on June 1st, 1983. Father Olszewski asked Rev. Rudolf Zubik, if he would like to become a parish associate in Our Lady of Czestochowa. Father Zubik accepted his proposition, and on 1st July, 1983 he celebrated his first Holy Mass for 15 people, because Rev. Weligala divided the parishioners. What do I do? - asked the new associate Rev. Zubik. Rev. Olszewski responded: do what you can. During the time of martial law in Poland, Rev. Zubik celebrated Holy Masses for the intention of the fatherland. The spectacular liturgy consisted: carrying of the veteran banners, Solidarnosc banner, music, chants, recitation of the poem Last Blessing, and the singing of - Boze cos Polske. During that time, every second Sunday a special Mass was celebrated for the Polish Nation. In 1986, black clouds overhung our parish, when the Sisters of the Order of Daughters of Mary of the Immaculate Conception were called out of our parish to return to their motherhouse in Connecticut. In one day a total of 186 students turned into only 67. The children with their parents left the parish looking for a new school. Father Olszewski, assistants Zubik and Golabek were helpless in facing those decisions in which Father Olszewski had to make to close our school. The same year the pastor began a weekly Novena to Our Lady of Czestochowa, and a yearly Corpus Christi procession. Step by step the spiritual life of the parish came back. In 1987 Rev. Czeslaw Golabek took off to Poland, and Rev. Zubik had to double his work. He gathered 45 altar servers, and was responsible for a soccer-training program. In 1989 our pastor Rev. Olszewski had been transferred to St. Casmir’s Church in Newark.

            The same year a new pastor was appointed by Archbishop McCarrick, the Rev. Bronislaw Wielgus, who served in Our Lady in Czestochowa until 1993. Father Wielgus restored sculptures and altars, moved the tabernacle back to the main altar, modernized the vicinity of the church and rooms in the rectory. In 1993 Rev. Wielgus was succeeded by Rev. Stanley Urbanik. Father Urbanik had four parochial vicars, Rev’s: Piotr Michota, Joseph Buzzerio, Henryk Marciniak and Jerzy Sznajder. The CCD director was Mrs. Carol Anderson. On September 7th, 1996, Archbishop McCarrick appointed Rev. Rudolf Zubik as a new pastor of Our Lady of Czestochowa Parish. He had four parish assistants, but after a short time remained only Rev. Henryk Marciniak and Rev. Joe Buzzerio who worked as a weekend assistant. Father Rudolf started his work by replacing three heating furnaces and windows in the church, convent and rectory. Some time later Father Henryk Marciniak has been appointed as pastor of St. Hedwig Parish in Elizabeth. Our parish lost a wonderful priest, teacher and confessor. Upon his retirement, Father Marciniak returned to assist our parish on weekends. When Rev. Zubik was alone, he received much help from Rev. Janusz Rzadca and Rev. Krzysztof Kaczynski. Father John Borowik also worked for the parish, but after some time had to leave because of health problems. Father Miroslaw Krol, then came to our parish, worked for two years, and moved to SS. Cyril and Methodius Seminary in Orchard Lake, Michigan. For the last 14 years Rev. Joseph Buzzerio celebrates Masses for the English-speaking parishioners. Father Rudolf Zubik’s parishioners give much help in the parish council, organizations, societies, servers and multitude of volunteers, as well as those from young Polonia. Father Rudolf is also the faithful friar of the 4th Degree Msgr. G. H. Doane Assembly # 0643 Knights of Columbus and has been appointed by the Archbishop as the new chaplain of Our Lady of Grace Council 402 Knights of Columbus in Harrison succeeding the late † Rev. Anthony Granato. Tremendous input in parish life was seen in our former parish secretary Mrs. Eleanor Chudak, who worked at Our Lady of Czestochowa for over 25 years.

            For the last 3 years our new parish secretary is Mrs. Beata Wiklinska. Our CCD Director is Mrs. Teresa Wilinski, who receives much help from her husband Walter. Our lectors continue to do a fine job in adding to our liturgical celebrations. Our long time lectors include: Mrs. Marion Listwan who participates as lector at most of our parish Polish liturgical celebrations, Mrs. Marion Borek, our parish liaison to the Mayor of Harrison Raymond McDonough, and Stanley M. Dunaj who became a lector in 1973 after doing the readings at his grammar school graduation Mass of Our Lady of Czestochowa School and has been a lector for the past 35 years. Stanley is also a Eucharistic Minister together with Mrs. Borek and Mrs. Listwan, and has been our parish bingo caller since 1988 succeeding the late Bruno J. Karwoski and the late Henry Michaliszyn. Our parish is a close-knit family of Jesus Christ where we live, work and pray with one another, and know each other. All parish workers give a hundred percent of their time, talent and treasure, from the bingo workers to those who take other roles within our parish, from committees to chairpersons of various events to keep our parish running smoothly. Other organizations include the Ladies of the Rosary Altar Society who were once a great figure of our parish as well as the Saint Theresa’s Society and Third Order of Saint Francis. Our Holy Name Society also was once a big stronghold of the parish, but due to age and those who have left us for their eternal reward, replacements for these organizations now need to be sought. Remember where the Holy Name Society was once called the Young Men’s Holy Name Society and met at their clubhouse above the garages on Jersey Street? Those were the days when there was a “Society” of men and women from the Holy Name, from the Rosary Altar, and other organizations. Wouldn’t it be great to have those multitudes again?

            Anyway, one tradition, which began with the Holy Name Society many years ago, still continues under the new name of the Our Lady of Czestochowa Honor Guard. The sons of the fathers, who once guarded the tomb on Holy Saturday, still want to carry on the tradition of the all night Honor Guard until Resurrection Mass Easter Sunday. Our Captain is Ken Listwan assisted by Lieutenant Stephen J. Matuszek. We are proud and honored that this little bit of tradition still shines true. Throughout the years, God blessed this Parish in good times and in hard times and we are confident, that He will continue to bless us. All Honor and Glory to God Our beloved Father and Savior, may His Holy Name be praised by all.