Parish

We warmly invite you to get to know St. Hedwig’s Parish — a welcoming, faith-filled community rooted in tradition and open to all. Whether you’re new to the area or simply curious, we’d love to meet you and share who we are. Come visit us in person or explore more about our parish right here on our website!

St. Hedwig’s Parish is one of the oldest Polish Catholic communities on Long Island, founded in 1902 to provide a spiritual home for the growing number of Polish immigrants who settled in Queens and western Nassau County at the turn of the 20th century. The parish has served generations of families, preserving faith, culture, and tradition for well over a century.

At the beginning of the 1900s, a wave of Polish immigrants came to New York seeking work and stability. Many settled in Floral Park, Bellerose, Elmont, and surrounding communities. While they participated in local Catholic parishes, they deeply desired a church that celebrated Mass in Polish and offered pastoral care in their native language.

In 1902, under the leadership of the Diocese of Brooklyn, St. Hedwig’s Parish was formally established. The patron saint, St. Hedwig of Silesia, was chosen because of her importance in Polish Catholic devotion—known for her compassion, humility, and service to the poor.

Early parish life was humble. Masses were first held in rented or temporary spaces until a permanent church could be built. Despite limited resources, the Polish community worked together tirelessly, fundraising, volunteering, and organizing parish activities.

As the parish grew, the need for a dedicated worship space became urgent. Through the generosity and sacrifice of parishioners—who often donated labor as well as money—the first church building took shape.
The parish quickly became the center of community life. Here families prayed, celebrated sacraments, preserved language, and practiced traditions carried from their homeland.

Early parish life was humble. Masses were first held in rented or temporary spaces until a permanent church could be built. Despite limited resources, the Polish community worked together tirelessly, fundraising, volunteering, and organizing parish activities.

During the mid-20th century, St. Hedwig’s Parish flourished. New generations of Polish-Americans were baptized, educated in the faith, and married in the parish church their ancestors had built.

The parish became well known for its beautifully celebrated Polish liturgies, processions and devotions, celebrations of Wigilia (Christmas Eve), Święconka (Blessing of Easter Food), and Marian feasts, strong men’s and women’s societies, active choirs and cultural groups.

As more families moved into the area, parish ministries expanded, and the church became a place of social and spiritual support for immigrant families adapting to life in America.

When the Diocese of Rockville Centre was created in 1957, St. Hedwig’s became part of the new diocese, which oversaw the rapidly growing Catholic population of Nassau and Suffolk counties.

The parish retained its Polish character while welcoming new parishioners from diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds. Through this period, the church underwent updates and improvements, reflecting both preservation and renewal.

In the late 20th and early 21st centuries, St. Hedwig’s continued to evolve. While the local population became more diverse, the parish held fast to its heritage, celebrating major feasts and devotions that connected present-day parishioners with the faith of their ancestors.

Recent decades have brought renovations to the church interior, restoration of confessionals, sanctuary furnishings, and sacred art, revitalization of parish groups and ministries, expanded faith formation programs for children, youth, and adults, continued celebration of Polish traditions alongside English liturgies.

Today, St. Hedwig’s Parish remains a vibrant and welcoming Catholic community, rooted in prayer, Eucharistic devotion, and service to others. Though deeply proud of its Polish origins, the parish embraces its mission to serve all who come seeking God’s grace and a spiritual home.