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Saint Hedwig Church

Memorials	:	0
Location	:	Wilmington, New Castle County, USA
Coordinate	:	39.7401070, -75.5662490
Description	:	The earliest Polish immigrants to Northern Delaware came mostly from the Prussian partition of Poland. Arriving in Wilmington in the later part of the nineteenth century, they were attracted to Sacred Heart Parish, which was staffed by German Benedictine priests. Realizing the need to minister full time to the growing Polish population, the Benedictine priests purchased two plots of land at the intersection of Linden and Harrison Streets. The new parish was founded in October of 1890 and placed under the patronage of St Hedwig, the thirteenth century Duchess of Poland and Patroness of Silesia. Rev Richard Aust OSB was... Read More	The earliest Polish immigrants to Northern Delaware came mostly from the Prussian partition of Poland. Arriving in Wilmington in the later part of the nineteenth century, they were attracted to Sacred Heart Parish, which was staffed by German Benedictine priests. Realizing the need to minister full time to the growing Polish population, the Benedictine priests purchased two plots of land at the intersection of Linden and Harrison Streets. The new parish was founded in October of 1890 and placed under the patronage of St Hedwig, the thirteenth century Duchess of Poland and Patroness of Silesia. Rev Richard Aust OSB was the first pastor. The original building that served as both the church and school was built on the site of the present parking lot. It soon became too small to accommodate the swelling crowds that were immigrating to the area. Taking over from the Benedictine admin, Rev John S Gulcz appointed a committee on June 30, 1899 for raising money to erect a new church. On November 9, 1899, plans were added to erect a new parsonage (rectory) at the same time. A then staggering amount of $90,000 was needed to complete the church and rectory. A collection of donations began with monthly door-to-door canvassing throughout the neighborhood. The area was divided into several districts and the smallest acceptable donation was one dollar a month. A total of $30,000 was collected and a loan was taken from the Equitable Guarantee and Trust Company in the amount of $60,000. It was paid in full on the eve of the Great Stock Crash, October 15, 1929. Admiring a newly built church in Brooklyn, Fr Gulcz hired the same architect, Brilmaier & Sons of Milwaukee, to design the church and rectory. The church is neo-Gothic in style. Massive granite forms the foundation, while the walls are of gray brick. Trimmings are of cut Bedford stone and galvanized iron, while Bangor quarry slate covered the roof. Its twin towers rise to a height of 135 feet, and a third steeple, smaller in size, was erected above the transept. It is the only church in the Diocese of Wilmington and the State of Delaware with twin towers. The cornerstone laying ceremony took place on Sunday, July 3, 1904 at 3:30 p.m. Visitors from Chester & Philadelphia were met at the wharf of the Wilmington Steamboat Company by the various Church societies. A large parade was formed and marched to the bishop's home at 3rd and Jackson Streets, proceeding to the old church on Linden Street, then to the site of the present church. The cornerstone was blessed and set by Bishop John J Monaghan and assisted by Fr Gulcz. The headline for an article appearing in the April 3, 1905 edition of The Journal Every Evening read, "Thousands Witness Dedication of Church." The dedication of St Hedwig Church began with a solemn procession from the Rectory to the new church. The congregation circled the building as Bishop Monaghan sprinkled the walls with holy water. Once inside, the interior walls and the sanctuary were blessed & consecrated. The dedication was followed by High Mass and then by Forty Hours Devotion. A full orchestra accompanied the choir of 50 voices, selected from several Catholic choirs throughout the city.

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Where is Saint Hedwig Church?
Saint Hedwig Church is located at 408 S Harrison Street Wilmington, New Castle County ,Delaware , 19805USA.
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Where are the coordinates of the Saint Hedwig Church?
Latitude: 39.7401070
Longitude: -75.5662490

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Nearby Cemetories:

1. Friends Meeting House Burial Ground
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Coordinate: 39.7419395, -75.5544434

2. Saint Peters Cemetery (Defunct)
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7. Asbury Methodist Episcopal Church Cemetery
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8. Old Cathedral Cemetery
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9. Wilmington and Brandywine Cemetery
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10. Westminster Presbyterian Church Memorial Garden
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11. Peter Spencer Plaza Cemetery
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12. Presbyterian Church Cemetery (Defunct)
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13. Old Baptist Cemetery
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Coordinate: 39.7458300, -75.5461770

14. Union Cemetery
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Coordinate: 39.7468750, -75.5447890

15. Old Swedes Churchyard
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16. Beth Emeth Memorial Park
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Coordinate: 39.7483300, -75.5912000

17. Silverbrook Cemetery and Memorial Park
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18. Garden of Praise
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19. Mount Zion Cemetery
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20. Mount Salem Cemetery
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21. Green Hill Presbyterian Church Cemetery
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Coordinate: 39.7635536, -75.5834885

22. Mount Olive Cemetery
Wilmington, New Castle County, USA
Coordinate: 39.7574997, -75.5975037

23. Christ Our King Church Burial Site
Wilmington, New Castle County, USA
Coordinate: 39.7602350, -75.5376260

24. Riverview Cemetery
Wilmington, New Castle County, USA
Coordinate: 39.7569008, -75.5289001

Saint Hedwig Church

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