[St. Wojciech Picture]

St. Adalbert's Church and rectory
on Allegheny Ave. in Philadelphia

.... [Palecki Picture]

Msgr. Franciszek Palecki

Fr. Franciszek Palecki son of Marcin and Apolonia (nee Drozd) was born in Kleczany, Debica county, Rzeszow voivodship, Poland, on October 9, 1897. Because the family was poor, his father like many others, went to America and after two years sent for his wife and two children, settling in Camden, NJ, where Franciszek started to attend parochial school. After a time the family moved to Chester, PA were he continued in elementary school but the education was somewhat spotty as there was no proper school building. In 1912 the young student left for Erie, PA for the newly established Polish college of St. Jan Kanty (John Cancius).

In 1917 was the first graduating class of that college, among whom was the future pastor of St. Adalbert's parish. Heeding the call of God's service he started studies at St. Charles Boromeo Seminary in Philadelphia, where after 5 years he was ordained priest on June 10, 1922, and celebrated his first mass on June 11, 1922 at the church of St. Hedwig (Sw. Jadwiga) in Chester, Pa. He first worked as assistant pastor at the non-Polish parish of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in Chester, PA then transferred to St. Stanislaus parish in Philadelphia. In September of 1930 he was appointed pastor of Sts. Peter and Paul parish in Allentown, PA where he spent two years. From March 23, 1933 to August 8, 1939 he was at Holy Trinity parish in Pheonixville, PA. From August 7, 1939 to July 4, 1946 he worked at St. Hedwig's parish in Philadelphia. Then he was assigned to St. Adalbert's (Sw. Wojciech) parish where he took over the pastorship after the death of Fr. Mieczyslaw M. Monkiewicz.

It was at this new parish that the pastor was able to fulfill his mission to the fullest. After getting to know the parishioners and all of the Polish community Fr. Palecki started to put the parish in order. He made necessary improvements to the Sisters' Convent, had the interior of the church repainted, replaced the sheathing in the roofs of the two towers, remodeled the classrooms in the school. This second pastor in the history of St. Adalbert parish did not stop there, with the help of parishioners he collected some funds so that in July 1953 work could start on a new wing of the school and a large auditorium. This eventually cost $600,000 dollars and not having all the money he contracted a debt which was eventually paid off with the help of parishioners and parish organizations. The new buildings were blest on September 26, 1954.

In writing about our pastor we must mention that Fr. F. Palecki has been devoted in the service of social and national causes, active in the work of the Catholic League -- Assistance to Poland, the Polish-American Congress in its Eastern Pennsylvania division, and in the Rescue Committee of the Polish American Priests' Association. He is continuously interested in the activities of various Church Societies and clubs, where he often appears as speaker on various occasions. Our pastor's activities are of inestimable value, he has given invaluable service to St. Adalberts' parish and the Polish community.

From: "Pamietnik Zlotego Jubileuszu Parafji Sw. Wojciecha" (Golden Jubilee Anniversary Book -- St. Adalbert's Parish) 1954, p. 16
Translation: Peter J. Obst, June 5, 2006


Editor's Note:
Monsignior Palecki died September 12, 1984, at the Atlantic City Medical Center,
he was buried at the Cemetery of the Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa at Doylestown
His elevation to Monsignor was on September 13, 1965

Msgr. F.S. Palecki of St. Adalbert's -- obituary article

Msgr. Francis S. Palecki, 86, pastor emeritus of St. Adalbert's Church in the Richmond section, died Wednesday at Atlantic City Medical Center. For nearly 30 years, he was one of the strongest voices in community affairs in the Richmond and Bridesburg areas.
Born in Poland, he was brought to the United States by his parents while still an infant. He spent his youth in Camden and Chester. He studied at St. John Cantius College before entering the Seminary of St. Charles Borromeo.
Ordained in 1922, his first assignment as curate was at Immaculate Conception Parish in Chester. Subsequently, he served St. Stanislaus in Philadelphia, St. Mary's in Reading, SS. Peter & Paul in Allentown and Holy Trinity in Phoenixville.

Back in Philadelphia, he served St. Hedwig's Parish during the World War II period and was assigned as pastor at St. Adalbert's in 1946. He was named pastor emeritus in 1972.
Msgr. Palecki served as an archdiocesan consultor from 1964 to 1973 and was designated honorary prelate by Pope Paul VI on Sept. 13, 1965.
Surviving are two brothers, Stanley and Walter; six sisters, Sister M. Adelaide, a member of the Bernardine Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis, and Mary Rupnicka, Stefanie Przedzial, Sophie Sornil, Helen and Bernice.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered by Cardinal John Krol at 11 a.m. Monday in St. Adalbert's Church, Allegheny Avenue and Thompson Street. Burial will be in the Cemetery of the Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa at Doylestown.

From: "The Philadelphia Inquirer" Sept. 15, 1984
text from the archive collection of the Pinkowski Institute

[space] Item Title Source Date Remarks
[space] Name Palecki, Monsignor Francis S.
[button] Article Obituary Nowy Dziennik 1984 in the Polish language
[button] Article Obituary - from obituary page Philadelphia Inquirer Sept. 14, 1984 Pinkowski Inst. Archives
[button] Article Msgr. F. S. Palecki of St. Adalbert's Philadelphia Inquirer - Obituary Article Sept. 15, 1984 Pinkowski Inst. Archives