Christ the Kings Polish Apostolate

   The formally organized Polish community made-up of the first Polish settlers of Kingston began on December 5, 1940 with the call to being of the National Polish Association. At that time Poles numbered approximately 30.

    From the year 1946 a new wave of Polish immigrants settled in Kingston made-up, in large part, of members of the Polish Army mainly from the Polish Second Army Corps in Italy.

    A major success of the first immigrants was the opening of the Polish Hall on the 6th of February, 1948.

Shortly afterwards a number of organizations were formed associating themselves with the hall namely: a Polish School, a Polish Woman's Club, an Amateur Theatre, Scouts and the Folklore Dance Troup. In the newly build Hall, the Poles celebrated many patriotic and religious occasions namely: May 3, November 11, St. Nicholas' day for Kids, Christmas and Easter dinners with traditional Polish dishes. During those years, the care for the spiritual wellbeing of the community rested with the Oblate Fathers and Priests from the Dioceses. Up to 1948, a Polish Priest would journey from Montreal and celebrate Holy Mass at the church of St. John.

During that time a Polish choir was formed which, in 1950, had its first Christmas concert. At this time, first attempts were made at sponsoring a Polish priest to Kingston on a permanent basis. Father Soltyszewski, who was working at Trois Riviere, Quebec, wanted to take on the undertaking. Due to a lack of financial sources the matter had to be put-off to a later date.

During the 70's Archbishop J.A. O'Sullivan permitted for Holy Mass to be celebrated in the Polish language at the St. James Boanerges' Chapel by St. Mary's Cathedral.

The Chapel, which was build in the Gothic style in 1890, due to its beautiful architecture, its central location within the city and its independence from the Canadian pastorate served as the ideal location for liturgical celebrations for a small Polish community. The pastoral responsibilities were fulfilled by priests from Ottawa namely: Fr. Rabiega and Fr. Chwist. Most often they would come before the Christmas and Easter Holydays. From 1980 spiritual needs of the Polish community were satisfied by Fr.Witold Mazurkiewich from the Glen Nevis parish near Cornwall.

During the 1980's, a new wave of families settled in Kingston mainly from the "Solidarity movement". With this influx of immigrants the hope for a permanent pastorate was rekindled. In 1986, Fr. Andrzej Deptula from a Polish parish in Tweed, took on the pastoral responsibilities of the community. After a year he was transferred to Kingston with a permanent residency at the parish of Holy Family where on a regular basis the Holy Mass was celebrated in the Polish language. Unfortunately in 1988, Fr. Deptula had to leave the Archdiocese. Once again Fr. Mazurkiewich began visiting Kingston, but due to failing health, his visits were less frequent. In 1991, the Polish community turned to the Parish of St. Hedwig in Oshawa with a request for pastoral service.

Fr. Edward Mroczynski SChr, was the first priest from the Society of Christ order to travel to Kingston to attend to the spiritual needs of the community. Thanks to his patient four year dedication, he gathered a sufficient number of Polish emigrants, who wanted to celebrate the Holy Mass on a regular basis in the Polish language. Toward this end, Archbishop Spence with Fr. Tadeusz Winnicki, the Provincial of the Society of Christ Fathers in North America. agreed that a permanent Polish pastor was needed in Kingston. As a result, on September 3, 1994 Fr. Henryk Kociolek SChr became the first spiritual pastor of the Polish community in Kingston.

He resided at the rectory beside St. Mary's Cathedral and in addition to the work in the community he was also appointed Chaplin to the residents of the Providence Manor retirement home. Holy Mass, once again, took place at the Chapel of St James. From day one, Fr. Henryk worked hard to unite all Polish immigrants into one community. In the first year, 60 families registered with the Polish Apostolate. Holy Mass was attended by more and more Polish immigrants not only from Kingston, but from surrounding areas. After two years of pastoral work by Fr. Henryk, the Apostolate began to gather legal strength.

On August 16, 1996, Archbishop Francis J. Spence founded the Polish Apostolate under the name of Christ the King. The decree came into being on the feast day of Christ the King, November 24. This was a joyous occasion since it brought to reality multi year efforts to create a permanent Polish Apostolate in Kingston. From this day forth the parish has been growing. On August 30, 1998 pastoral responsibilities were taken over by Fr. Julian Kaczowka SChr, who continued, to his best ability, to grow the new Apostolate. His successor and present pastor of the parish is Fr. Jacek Nowak SChr, who was transferred to the Apostolate from the parish of Our Lady Queen of Peace in Calgary. Presently, the Apostolate boasts 100 families.