Hyacinth (Jacek) Gulski
Encyclopedia
Father Hyacinth Gulski was a Pioneer Polish-American Roman Catholic Priest.
in 1847. In 1866 he joined the Order of the Franciscan
Fathers. Gulski was ordained at Laki, German partition of Poland
, entering the Priesthood
on September 21, 1873. His timing was unfortunate for, that same year, his friary was closed by actions resulting from the Kulturkampf
. Father Gulski had spent two years in hiding and eventually fled via in 1875 via Antwerp to the United States in 1875, where he was offered a pastorship in Berlin, Wisconsin
. The following year, he was transferred to St. Stanislaus Catholic Church
in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
, the principal Polish parish in the state.
Under Father Gulski's guidance, St. Stan grew significantly. An elegant new US$4000 pipe organ
was added to the church and its spire
s covered in copper
. During his pastorage, in 1882 a record 96 marriages were performed in the church, a record that would never be equaled. The church was now serving 400 families, a dramatic increase from the original 30. A new rectory was built that same year. Eventually, even this large church could no longer cope with the numbers wishing to attend mass.
Father Gulski left St. Stanislaus to organize the new St. Hyacinth parish, which was located just west of St. Stan. Many were surprised by this move, as obviously St. Stanislaus was a prestigious posting for a priest. However, Father Gulski had a missionary zeal to build houses of worship for his beloved Polish community in Milwaukee. A location was chosen on West Becher and South 15th Streets to construct the new church with the support of Reverend Archbishop Michael Heiss
. In addition a school, hall, rectory, and convent home were built on the site. While not as elegant as St. Stanislaus, the parishioners felt the austere lines were very conducive to prayer and meditation. The church was blessed on April 1, 1883 and seated 800 worshipers.
Father Gulski was a gifted orator, and many of Milwaukee's south side residents preferred to attend mass at St. Hyacinth because of his beautiful homilies
. Father Gulski's gift for singing earned him the nickname of the "Polish Nightingale
". By 1888, the two parishes on the south side could no longer cope. Gulski was instrumental in organizing the new parishes of St. Vincent's in 1888, and SS. Cyril and Methodius parish in 1893, to accommodate the rising number of Polish speaking worshipers.
Father Gulski convinced the Polish Sisters of St. Felix of Cantalice to come to Milwaukee and establish an orphanage
there. Unexpected births outside of marriage were a problem in the Polish community, due to a lack of education among the young and the challenges presented by living in a new and different culture. Ground was broken in 1907, and the following year 46 boys and 39 girls were welcomed at St. Joseph Orphan Asylum. Other Polish parishes in Milwaukee offered shelter to orphans as well as to young ladies with unplanned pregnancies who were often rejected by their families. It was felt that a Polish orphanage was necessary to preserve the ethnic heritage of the children so that they would not be lost to the American cultural melting pot. For his efforts, Father Gulski was awarded the post of Monsignor. There was also speculation he would be named as the first Polish speaking Bishop in Milwaukee for a time.
Father Gulski also presented the city of Milwaukee with a large statue of Tadeusz Kościuszko
for the Kosciusko Park that was paid for by private donations. Eventually internal problems emerged in his parish. Discord in his beloved "Jackowo" in 1909 lead to the pastor's transfer to St. Hedwig's (Milwaukee)
for two years. He was replaced at St. Hyacinth by Boleslaus Goral
. Death finally claimed Father Gulski in 1911. Many believed that by having been forced to leave his beloved St. Hyacinth parish, which he had built from the ground up, Msgr. Gulski died of a broken heart.
Biography
Hyacinth Gulski was born in Chełmno that was part of West PrussiaWest Prussia
West Prussia was a province of the Kingdom of Prussia from 1773–1824 and 1878–1919/20 which was created out of the earlier Polish province of Royal Prussia...
in 1847. In 1866 he joined the Order of the Franciscan
Franciscan
Most Franciscans are members of Roman Catholic religious orders founded by Saint Francis of Assisi. Besides Roman Catholic communities, there are also Old Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, ecumenical and Non-denominational Franciscan communities....
Fathers. Gulski was ordained at Laki, German partition of Poland
Partitions of Poland
The Partitions of Poland or Partitions of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth took place in the second half of the 18th century and ended the existence of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, resulting in the elimination of sovereign Poland for 123 years...
, entering the Priesthood
Priesthood (Catholic Church)
The ministerial orders of the Catholic Church include the orders of bishops, deacons and presbyters, which in Latin is sacerdos. The ordained priesthood and common priesthood are different in function and essence....
on September 21, 1873. His timing was unfortunate for, that same year, his friary was closed by actions resulting from the Kulturkampf
Kulturkampf
The German term refers to German policies in relation to secularity and the influence of the Roman Catholic Church, enacted from 1871 to 1878 by the Prime Minister of Prussia, Otto von Bismarck. The Kulturkampf did not extend to the other German states such as Bavaria...
. Father Gulski had spent two years in hiding and eventually fled via in 1875 via Antwerp to the United States in 1875, where he was offered a pastorship in Berlin, Wisconsin
Berlin, Wisconsin
Berlin is a city in Green Lake and Waushara Counties in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. The population was 5,305 at the 2000 census. The city is located mostly within the Town of Berlin in Green Lake County; only a small portion of the city extends into the Town of Aurora in Waushara...
. The following year, he was transferred to St. Stanislaus Catholic Church
St. Stanislaus Catholic Church
St. Stanislaus Roman Catholic Oratory - Roman Catholic parish in the historic Mitchell Street District of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It was designed by Polish nobleman Leonard Kowalski, one of Milwaukee's early Polish residents, who took the name Leonard Schmidtner and spoke German.One of Milwaukee's...
in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Milwaukee is the largest city in the U.S. state of Wisconsin, the 28th most populous city in the United States and 39th most populous region in the United States. It is the county seat of Milwaukee County and is located on the southwestern shore of Lake Michigan. According to 2010 census data, the...
, the principal Polish parish in the state.
Under Father Gulski's guidance, St. Stan grew significantly. An elegant new US$4000 pipe organ
Pipe organ
The pipe organ is a musical instrument that produces sound by driving pressurized air through pipes selected via a keyboard. Because each organ pipe produces a single pitch, the pipes are provided in sets called ranks, each of which has a common timbre and volume throughout the keyboard compass...
was added to the church and its spire
Spire
A spire is a tapering conical or pyramidal structure on the top of a building, particularly a church tower. Etymologically, the word is derived from the Old English word spir, meaning a sprout, shoot, or stalk of grass....
s covered in copper
Copper
Copper is a chemical element with the symbol Cu and atomic number 29. It is a ductile metal with very high thermal and electrical conductivity. Pure copper is soft and malleable; an exposed surface has a reddish-orange tarnish...
. During his pastorage, in 1882 a record 96 marriages were performed in the church, a record that would never be equaled. The church was now serving 400 families, a dramatic increase from the original 30. A new rectory was built that same year. Eventually, even this large church could no longer cope with the numbers wishing to attend mass.
Father Gulski left St. Stanislaus to organize the new St. Hyacinth parish, which was located just west of St. Stan. Many were surprised by this move, as obviously St. Stanislaus was a prestigious posting for a priest. However, Father Gulski had a missionary zeal to build houses of worship for his beloved Polish community in Milwaukee. A location was chosen on West Becher and South 15th Streets to construct the new church with the support of Reverend Archbishop Michael Heiss
Michael Heiss
Michael Heiss was a German-born prelate of the Catholic Church. He served as the first Bishop of La Crosse and the second Archbishop of Milwaukee .-Biography:...
. In addition a school, hall, rectory, and convent home were built on the site. While not as elegant as St. Stanislaus, the parishioners felt the austere lines were very conducive to prayer and meditation. The church was blessed on April 1, 1883 and seated 800 worshipers.
Father Gulski was a gifted orator, and many of Milwaukee's south side residents preferred to attend mass at St. Hyacinth because of his beautiful homilies
Homily
A homily is a commentary that follows a reading of scripture. In Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, and Eastern Orthodox Churches, a homily is usually given during Mass at the end of the Liturgy of the Word...
. Father Gulski's gift for singing earned him the nickname of the "Polish Nightingale
Nightingale
The Nightingale , also known as Rufous and Common Nightingale, is a small passerine bird that was formerly classed as a member of the thrush family Turdidae, but is now more generally considered to be an Old World flycatcher, Muscicapidae...
". By 1888, the two parishes on the south side could no longer cope. Gulski was instrumental in organizing the new parishes of St. Vincent's in 1888, and SS. Cyril and Methodius parish in 1893, to accommodate the rising number of Polish speaking worshipers.
Father Gulski convinced the Polish Sisters of St. Felix of Cantalice to come to Milwaukee and establish an orphanage
Orphanage
An orphanage is a residential institution devoted to the care of orphans – children whose parents are deceased or otherwise unable or unwilling to care for them...
there. Unexpected births outside of marriage were a problem in the Polish community, due to a lack of education among the young and the challenges presented by living in a new and different culture. Ground was broken in 1907, and the following year 46 boys and 39 girls were welcomed at St. Joseph Orphan Asylum. Other Polish parishes in Milwaukee offered shelter to orphans as well as to young ladies with unplanned pregnancies who were often rejected by their families. It was felt that a Polish orphanage was necessary to preserve the ethnic heritage of the children so that they would not be lost to the American cultural melting pot. For his efforts, Father Gulski was awarded the post of Monsignor. There was also speculation he would be named as the first Polish speaking Bishop in Milwaukee for a time.
Father Gulski also presented the city of Milwaukee with a large statue of Tadeusz Kościuszko
Tadeusz Kosciuszko
Andrzej Tadeusz Bonawentura Kościuszko was a Polish–Lithuanian and American general and military leader during the Kościuszko Uprising. He is a national hero of Poland, Lithuania, the United States and Belarus...
for the Kosciusko Park that was paid for by private donations. Eventually internal problems emerged in his parish. Discord in his beloved "Jackowo" in 1909 lead to the pastor's transfer to St. Hedwig's (Milwaukee)
St. Hedwig's (Milwaukee)
St. Hedwig's Roman Catholic Church, is a Roman Catholic parish located at 1702 N. Humboldt Ave. on Milwaukee, Wisconsin's East Side, in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Milwaukee.-Dedication:...
for two years. He was replaced at St. Hyacinth by Boleslaus Goral
Boleslaus Goral
Boleslaus Goral or Bolesław Góral was a Polish-American priest, professor, and newspaper editor.-Biography:Boleslaus E. Goral was born in Koenigsdorf, West Prussia on March 12, 1876. He immigrated to the U.S. in 1889 and attended the St. Francis Seminary near Milwaukee, Wisconsin...
. Death finally claimed Father Gulski in 1911. Many believed that by having been forced to leave his beloved St. Hyacinth parish, which he had built from the ground up, Msgr. Gulski died of a broken heart.