St. Michael's celebration

As the parishes of Cohoes, past and present, celebrated with a Mass at the Cohoes Falls, St. Michael's parish in Cohoes was having its own Heritage Day: an exhibit on Polish culture, a polka Mass and a Polish dinner, and photos and highlights of the parish's history:

In 1903, Rev. Valentine Gierlacki came to Cohoes with the sole purpose of fulfilling the needs of the Polish people there. In 1904, the cornerstone of the new St. Michael the Archangel Church was placed; on Easter Sunday 1905, services were held in the newly-completed church.

After a fire in 1924, the church was rebuilt with a 26-foot extension and a new stained glass window.

The Sisters of the Resurrection came to the parish in 1927 to teach the children; a new elementary school was completed in 1955.

Rev. Sigmund Olszewski replaced Father Gierlacki in 1954; Father Gierlacki passed away after 50 years of service. Father Olszewski purchased new buildings and refurbished the church, adding more stained glass windows. A parish council was formed in 1979. A new pipe organ was installed in 1988, an elevator in 1995.

In 1974, Reverend Richard Dybas, who had previously served as associate pastor, had returned as St. Michael's third pastor; he served for 31 years. Sister Beverly Marie Schickel, CSJ, became pastoral associate in 1990.

On Oct. 17, 2004, St. Michael's parish celebrated its centennial. Rev. Peter Tkocz came to the parish the following year and became pastor in 2009; he has focused on parishioners' spiritual growth, making children's religious education a top priority and adding an altar server program in addition to several renovations. An activities committee helps to uphold parish traditions; a pastoral care committee was formed in 2011. Deacon Charles Valenti was St. Michael's first deacon, serving from 2009-13.

"Our parish is rich in tradition. Our hope is that future generations can continue these traditions, which are unique to our Polish heritage," the parish history notes, citing Polish liturgies and polka Masses, a Polish choir, devotions to the Blessed Mother and the blessing of Easter baskets of food.

"We have a vision for the future and we will continue our traditional values. We must do all we can to encourage our young adults to be faithful and to grow up to be good Christians and active members of our parish," the parish history concludes.[[In-content Ad]]