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Fr. Michael (Michal) W. Wyborski (1877-1955)

Information about the town of Kruszwica [Arrow Picture]

He was born in Kruswica [modern spelling: Kruszwica], in the Poznan area, on September 13, 1877 [to Marcin and Anna nee Roszak]. He finished school in Kruswica. When his studies were finished he left Poland and went to stay with relatives in the southern part of the city of Philadelphia -- on March 2, 1895. [In 1900 he is listed as attending the Holy Ghost Fathers Noviciate in Cornwells Heights, PA]. In America he continued to study at the college of St. Stanislaw Kostka in Chicago and at the Polish College in Detroit, Michigan. Then he was sent to Montreal in Canada where he attended the Seminary of the French Supplicant Fathers and finished the philosophy course there. His theological studies he finished at the Polish Seminary in Detroit, Michigan. He was ordained by Bishop John Foley, on July 4, 1909. His first celebratory mass was at the church of St. Stanislaw B. and M. in South Philadelphia.

His first years of religious service were spent at the cathedral of St. Mary in Ogdenburg, NY. Then he took over a newly organized parish in Watertown, NY. From there he was moved to Witherbee, NY.

After 12 years of pastoral work in the Ogdenburg diocese, he came to Philadelphia. At first he was assistant pastor at St. Stanislaus parish in Philadelphia. After two years he was appointed pastor at St, Michael's parish in Northampton, PA. On March 12, 1924 a new parish was formed at Summit Hill, PA dedicated to St. Stanislaw B. And M. Where he was sent as the first pastor. Under his direction all the parish buildings were built -- a church and school under one roof, a home for the Sisters and the Rectory. After nine years he left that parish and became the pastor of St. Laurentius in Philadelphia, on November 25, 1932.

When he takes over at St. Laurentius, Fr. Michal Wyborski finds difficult conditions, as this is the time of the Great Depression. But with the good will of the parishioners and through his own efforts he manages to overcome difficulties and pay off the debts. A new floor is installed in the church along with new pews.

On Sunday, October 23, 1938, the parish celebrates the Golden Anniversary of the School. A high mass is said by Fr. Wladyslaw Grynia, with the concelebrants Fr. Kazimierz F. Lawniczak, Fr. Julian Zagorski, Fr. Waclaw Pszczolkowski, and Fr. Jozef Jarecki -- all alumni of the parish school. The sermon is given by Fr. Jozef Kuczynski.

Just before the beginning of the 40 Hour Prayer Vigil on November 19, 1955, Fr. Michal Wyborski dies at the rectory. His remains are buried at Holy Redeemer Cemetery in Bridesburg. [He had a sister Mrs. Josephine Kaniecka. - Phila. Inquirer Obituary]

From: Diamond Jubilee 1882-1957 of St. Laurentius Parish, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (75th anniversary book).
Translation: Peter J. Obst (2008)

Wyborski, Rev. Michael W.
Clergyman. Born Sept. 13, 1877 in Kruswica [Kruszwica], Poland. Education: St. Stanislaus College, Chicago; Montreal, Canada; Polish Seminary, Detroit, Mich.; ordained July 4, 1909, Detroit, Mich. Asst. at St. Stanislaus parish, Philadelphia, Pa. In 1911 appointed pastor of St. Michael's parish, Minersville, Pa. From 1922 to 1924 pastor of St. Michael's parish, Northampton, Pa., and from 1924 to 1932 pastor at Summit Hill, Pa. Since Nov., 1932 pastor of St. Lawrence parish, Philadelphia, Pa. Address: 1608 E. Berks St., Philadelphia, Pa.

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

From: GWIAZDA - November 24, 1955; p. 1

Fr. Michal Wyborski, Pastor of St. Laurentius Parish, Died Last Saturday

The oldest Polish parish in this Archdiocese, named for St. Laurentius, was orphaned last Saturday when its long time pastor Fr. Michal Wyborski suddenly died. The parish was getting ready to begin its 40 Hour Novena which was to start tomorrow.

The elderly priest had health problems for an extended period of time but continued to perform his pastoral duties to the last moment. He lived to 78 years of age.

The dear departed Fr. Michal Wyborski was born on September 13, 1877 in the famous town of Kruszwica, in the Great Poznan Principality in Poland where he finished grammar and high-school.

He arrived in Philadelphia on March 2, 1895 and lived with relatives. This was during a time of economic depression (under pres. Grover Cleveland) but this did not sour the new emigrant who went to work with energy on his own person. He signed up for night school to learn the English language and conditions in the United States. Feeling the call to the priestly state, he attended with enthusiasm the College of St. Stanislaw Kostka in Chicago where he received his first instructions from the Resurrectionist Fathers. Sent to Montreal, Canada, he finished the philosophy course and was then transferred by the bishop to the Polish Seminary in Detroit, Michigan, where on July 4, 1909 he was ordained by Bishop John Floey. His first mass was at the church of St. Stanislaw B and M in South Philadelphia. He became the assistant pastor at the cathedral of St. Mary in Ogdenburg, NJ. Afterwards the bishop made him the pastor of Watertown, NY where he was to organize a new parish. After this was done he was sent to Witherbee, NY in 1911 where he built a church and was the only Polish priest working for his countrymen. After 12 years the well served priest was sent to Philadelphia where he became assistant pastor at the St. Stanislaw parish when the pastor there was the dear departed Fr. Dr. Godrycz. Recognizing his abilities, Cardinal D. Dougherty made him the pastor of St. Michael's parish in Northampton, PA from where he was eventually moved to Summit Hill, PA where organized a new parish, which he was able to do despite the bad times earning the general love and respect of his parishioners.

On November 25, 1932, the church authorities made him the pastor of St. Laurentius parish in Philadelphia, where as the new pastor he went to work with energy and gained the love and respect of his parishioners. Here he celebrated the Silver anniversary of his priesthood in among the parishioners and churchmen on June 10th.

The time after his Silver Anniversary he devotes to quiet work for the Church and Polonia and despite Many difficulties this deceased priest endured it all and made preparations for the celebration of the parish Diamond Jubilee which was to take place in two years.

The departed priest left behind a sister Jozefa Kaniecka, two male cousins: Fr. Szczepan Wyborski and Stanislaw Wawrzyniak, and three female cousins: Anna and Jozefa Wawrzyniak and Ms. Stanislawa Borowska.

The funeral was a great manifestation of mourning, taking place yesterday on Wednesday, November 23rd at 11 am at the St. Laurentius Church with burial at Holy Redeemer Cemetery. To the remaining members of his family and all members of the St. Laurentius parish we offer our sincere condolences.

Translation: Peter J. Obst (2008)

A Biography of Fr. Michal Wyborski -- Pastor of St. Laurentius Parish
(source unknown, from Orchard Lake Archives)
This appears to have been written on an anniversary of his priesthood because he is often referred to as the "celebrant - good Father." This might have been read as a speech or proclamation. The date was probably 1934, which would have been the 25th anniversaey of his priesthood.

The celebrant, Fr. Michal Wyborski, pastor of St. Laurentius Parish in Philadelphia, PA was born in the ancient and famous town of Kruswica, the cradle of the Piasts in the Great Poznan Kingdom on September 13, 1877, to the very pious parents Marcin and Anna nee Roszak.

He attended school in his native Kruswica. After finishing schooling he left Poland and travelled to his relatives living in America, reaching Philadelphia on March 2, 1895. Unfortunately he came during very difficult times when [Grover] Cleveland was president and America was poor. There was no possibility of further education at the time. But despite the bad times he went to work with energy and signed up in night school to quickly become familiar with American conditions and learn the English language.

So he persevered and worked with effort to become the eventual pride of Polonia society. He spared no energy or effort remembering the words of the poet...

"Endurance and work can lead a man
everywhere, where he can imagine a place,
even though that place may be...
among the stars."

Our celebrant felt the call to the religious state, and thus he attended the College of St. Stanislaw Kostka in Chicago where the Resurrectionist Fathers, in the person of the dear departed Fr. Jan Kruszynski, gladly accepted him. Further study was completed at the Polish College in Detroit, MI and then he was sent to Montreal, Canada, to a seminary of the French Supplicant Fathers where he finished a course in philosophy. For his theology course the Rev. Bishop transfered him to the Polish Seminary in Detroit, MI. After completing the theological studies he was ordained by Bishop John Foley on July 4, 1909. He celebrated his first mass at the Church of St. Stanislaw B. and M. in South Philadelphia.

The good Father then took up the duties of assistant pastor at the Cathedral of St. Mary in Ogdenburg, NY. Then the bishop sent him to Watertown, NY to organize a new parish.

As a young priest he takes up his work with energy. In a short time he buys, for cash, land for the new church. He organizes the faithful and starts to build the church. Yet at this time, there is a greater need for a Polish priest in Witherbee, NY. The faithful have been making appeals to the Bishop for a Polish priest. So the good Father is sent there to organize a parish and build a church. He is obedient to the authorities and hurries to his new place arriving in Witherbee, NY in February of 1911 when the freeze is still on in the northern part of New York state. Not having a place to stay he is shuttled from house to house finally finding a room with a poor Polish family where he takes up residence.

The Father, despite difficult and trying conditions begins his work with dedication. He visits homes, signs up members of the new parish and collects money for the church. The people see in him a dedicated, hard working and noble priest. He works in agreement with them and donations start coming in so that after a year there is a new magnificent church and rectory which buildings to this day are the pride of the local community. After finishing the church the priest starts to work on the parishioners. Being a pious priest, by example he inculcates within them worthy and Godly feelings. Examples of his sacrifice and self-denial are of benefit to the local populace and they become an example for the entire community. Despite being far away from their countrymen in the isolation of the mountains they remember that the Catholic religion is the most beautiful star that shone to enlighten the way for our fathers. Under its light all the activities of life took place. It took them into its arms as a newborn child, it taught them their primary duties to God and others, it taught them during the school years, it was the leader in showing a way of life to youth, it was a halter in passions of the heart and in the turbulence of the imagination, it was the safe harbor of the lost, a friend of the worried, a peacemaker among those in conflict, it was the greatest wisdom of this world, it was the final court in many trials -- it was the purpose and core of all life.

The good Father cared not only for the good of the Church and the parish but his heart also burned with love for the homeland and the Polish nation.

When after the World War Poland was resurrected, when the Polish nation, though hungry, poor and persecuted started singing a song of freedom, it was then that the Celebrant, rejoicing in the re-establishment of a Polish state, appealed to his parishioners to help the homeland. He organized committees, held dances, and from his small handful of parishioners was able to donate over $4,000 to the National Department. He and his parishioners bought $10,000 in Polish government bonds. Their hearts are knightly and noble, just like the heart of Piast [legendary Polish prince], not forgetting about their countrymen fighting on behalf of the homeland, he does not forget about Haller's troops, the Blue army, and from time to time they send those brave boys funds for tobacco and other soldierly treats.

The good Father was a true missionary in the Adirondack mountains, for being the only Polish priest in the diocese, he took care of his own parish but also, on orders from authorities, of all the Poles in the diocese. There were 10 settlements like Ogdenburg, each several hundred miles from the other. Despite the fact that the journeys were difficult and sometimes neigh impossible because of the cold and snow Fr. Wyborski toured these villages visiting the Polish folk with spiritual aid, supported their spirit, comforted and firmed their faith, love and devotion to the Polish homeland and the Polish tongue. And so he worked among these people for 12 years with true apostolic vigor, sacrifice and self-denial. Physically wearied, he took a much deserved rest. He went on a vacation to Europe, toured Rome, but did not forget his his parishioners, being at a special audience with Pope Pius X, he received a special apostolic blessing for his parish.

After 12 years of difficult work as a priest in the Ogdenburg diocese, Fr. Wyborski missed Philadelphia, the place of his origin. He asked the Bishop to release him from the diocese and after many requests, the bishop finally relented. Equipped with the best recommendation he came to Philadelphia. Here, introduced to Cardinal Dougherty he was accepted into the diocese and made assistant pastor at the parish of St. Stanislaw in South Philadelphia.

At this new assignment, he and his pastor Fr. Dr. Godrucz worked diligently for nearly two years. His Eminence Cardinal Dougherty recognized his dedication and ability and made him pastor of St. Michael's Church in Northampton, PA. The parish was small but the people good and sacrificing. The good Father, went immediately to work collecting funds for a new church, the need for which was felt by the parishioners. When all was worked out and planned, and part of the money collected for the building of a new church, the authorities transferred the good Father to Summit Hill, PA so he could organize a new parish there. It was a blow to the parishioners in Northampton, and with great sorrow they bade farewell to their much loved pastor.

On March 12, 1924, the good Father went to Summit Hill, PA and here again there is neither a church nor a rectory, but only work and toil, as all has to be built and organized. These were truly difficult beginnings, because there were not only material but moral problems. A real hurricane of troubles and misadventures hovered over Fr. Wyborski's head but he trusted in God's help and the generosity of the Polish folk and got on with his work. After a year there is a church, school and parish hall combined in one building, and then a beautiful rectory is built and a home for the convent sisters. These buildings are the most decorative in Summit Hill and are the pride of the community. But this is not the end, for after these buildings are finished a strike takes place that lasts six months. When it ends the miners return to work but after several months the company shuts down the mine entirely. It was then that the parish in Summit Hill suffered most. But the good father did not give up, he rolled up his sleeves and continued working with the help of parishioners of good will. In such circumstances many would have given up but he somehow managed to tie ends together. After 9 years the good father was commanded by the Church authorities to leave St. Stanislaus in Summit Hill, PA. The parishioners have come to like and even love their pastor, and bade him farewell with tears in their eyes. To celebrate their beloved pastor they arranged to give him a truly royal sendoff.

For his untiring work in Summit Hill, PA, His Eminence the Cardinal made Fr. Wyborski the pastor of St. Laurentius parish in Philadelphia. This is the cradle and Mother church for all Polonia parishes and the good Father reached it on November 25, 1932. From the first day of his arrival he gained the hearts and trust of all parishioners and fellow countrymen in "Wawrzynowka" [name given to the St. Laurentius parish area, after the Polish name for the saint Sw. Wawrzyniec] and though he has not been with us long, we are convinced that together, with our help, he can do great things in the future. A proof of this is today's anniversary celebration which the parishioners are giving him today.

Translation: Peter J. Obst (2008)