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Gieryk, Rev. Theodore
Clergyman. Born 1837 in Poland. After serving as chaplain in the Germany army, came to U.S. in 1872, settling in Detroit. Mich. From June 5, 1873 to March, 1875 pastor of St. Adalbert's Parish in Detroit, Mich. From Dec. 12, 1875 to 1879 pastor of St. Michael's Parish in Radom, Ill. Called the first convention at Detroit, Mich. in 1873 to organize the P.R.C.U. of America, which unanimously elected him first president. At the following convention in 1874 in Chicago, Ill., was the principal speaker. The history of his life is a picture of ardent fight for equal rights for Polish immigrants in church and political circles. The PoIish Roman Catholic Union, an organization founded by him, built in his memory a monument. Died Oct 3, 1878 in Radom, Ill.

From: "Who's Who in Polish America" by Rev. Francis Bolek, Editor-in-Chief; Harbinger House, New York, 1943

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