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Our Mission Statement Saint Ladislaus Parish is a Roman Catholic Christian Community which has preserved our heritage and culture since 1907. As we proceed into the future, we will strive to reach out and welcome our neighbors to become a part of our parish community through worship and spiritual support. Our History At the start of the 20th century, circa 1900, a large number of Hungarians settled in South Norwalk. The majority came from the districts of Abauj & Zemplen in eastern Hungary, and were drawn to the area by the large number of jobs available, especially on farms and in the hat factory. The number of Hungarian Catholics steadily increased, and it soon became necessary to take steps to establish a Hungarian Catholic Parish where they could worship in their own language. The first Hungarian services were conducted in St. Joseph’s Church by Abbot Victor Kubinyi. He was followed by Father Francis Gross, who eventually sought permission from the Bishop of Hartford to establish a Hungarian Parish. Gross gained that permission and, on July 15, 1907, became founding pastor of St. Ladislaus Church. The parish’s second pastor was Father Stephen F. Chernitzky, who served from Nov. 26, 1908 to May 12, 1914. During his tenure, the Hungarian community conducted a house-to-house fundraising campaign, collecting nickels, dimes and quarters for the construction of a new church. Once the necessary money was obtained, architect Odon Lechner was commissioned to draw up plans. Lechner had planned and constructed many churches in Hungary, including the St. Ladislaus Church in Budapest of which the Norwalk Church became a replica. The cornerstone was laid on Nov. 25, 1909, and the church basement was opened for Sunday Mass on Nov. 27, 1910. The formal dedication of the church was June 30, 1912. The approximate cost of construction was $30,000. From 1933 to 1937, Monsignor James G. Lengen began parish improvements and rededicated the church on June 27, 1937, in recognition of its 25th anniversary. In 1939, the convent at 8 Soundview Avenue was purchased and remodeled, with the first nuns moving in on Oct. 28, 1939. The Golden Jubilee of the parish was celebrated on July 28, 1957. Also during that year, ground was broken for the Parish Center. Work was completed on Oct. 29, 1961, and the building was dedicated on Oct. 6, 1962. In the spring of 1977, Monsignor Edwin F. Burke became pastor. By fall, the interior of the rectory was completely renovated. In June of 1983, the church interior was renovated to comply with Vatican II guidelines. The Rededication Mass was celebrated by Bishop Walter W. Curtis on Sunday, Nov. 27. In January of 2005, Fr. Michael J. Bachman became the eighth and current pastor. He began restoration of the Tabernacle and returned it to its original place on the main altar in November 2005. Various parish celebrations are planned for 2010 and will culminate
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