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Portrait by: H. Dubiel-Pstragowska

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Moczygemba, Very Rev. Leopold Bonawenture Maria, O.M.C.

Pioneer priest. Born 1825 in Upper Silesia, Poland. Studied theology in Rome; joined the Franciscan Order of Minor Conventuals, April 8, 1852. Came to U.S. to Texas, where he was a pastor for the Germans in Castroville, diocese of Galveston, Texas. On Dec. 24, 1854 became the first pastor of the first Polish colony in U.S., Panna Maria, Texas. In 1856 left Panna Maria and went to Chicago, Ill. From 1861 to 1867 Commisar General of the Convent, Novitiate and Theological Seminary, Syracuse, N. Y. In 1867 in Oswego, N. Y. On Aug. 7, 1882 left Chicago, went to Lemont, Ill., where he was a pastor, for some time, in a German parish. As a missionary was engaged in a religious work in New York state, built a magnificent church in Syracuse, N. Y. In 1888 came to Detroit, Mich. where he remained till his death. In 1890 just before his death, visited the Poles in Trenton, N. J. and organized the first committee of St. Stanislaus parish to be organized. Contributed 10,000 dollars as a first donation for the Polish Theological Seminary in Detroit Mich. Died March 23, 1891.

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

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