Parish Historical Sketch

According to parish records, the history of Saint Mary's Church of Our Lady Help of Christians dates back to May, 1923. Due to the growing number of Roman Catholic residents settling in and around the Dorrance area, there was a need for a church to administer to the spiritual needs of the Catholic population. Prior to that time, it was necessary for area Catholics to travel to Wilkes-Barre, Sugar Notch, Nanticoke, and Hazleton to practice their faith.

The late Rt. Rev. Msgr. J. J. Kowalewski, the pastor of the Maternity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish in Wilkes-Barre was approached by a group of devoted Catholics who proposed the idea to erect a church in the area. Reverend Kowalewski applied to the Bishop of the Scranton Diocese, the Most Reverend Michael J. Hoban, D.D., for approval and permission to build a church.

Upon approval, plans were drawn up. Andrew Kotulik donated one acre of land for the new church in Dorrance. At a later date, he also donated the area that houses the picnic grounds. The ground-breaking took place in May, 1923.

Interested families helped raise the necessary funds. In addition, these male parishioners actually laid the foundation: Paul Cybulski, Sr., John Stec, Sr., Alexander Barczak, Joseph Winiarski, Sr., Anthony Ebert, Joseph Wanderlist, Joseph Kania, Paul Stryjak, Stanley Guzinski, Joseph Hilenski, Sr., Thomas Guzik, John Schwartz, Wojciech Rusczyk, Frank Toporek, and Frank Kimszal, Jr.

The building of the church was completed in July, 1924. Bishop Hoban officiated over the laying of the cornerstone and the dedication of the church on September 27, 1925.

At the time of its founding, Saint Mary's was a mission church of the Mother Church of the Maternity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. The pastor was Rt. Reverend J. J. Kowalewski assisted by Reverend L. J. Kolebuk. Upon the death of Reverend Kolebuk, Reverend J. F. Pietrowicz succeeded and served as pastor from August, 1925, until August, 1936. The parish continued to be administered by Reverend Kowalewski. In April, 1940, Bishop Hafey placed the parish under the direction of Reverend F. A. Costello who was assigned as resident pastor of the Good Shepherd Church in Drums. At that time, Saint Mary's of Dorrance Corners became Good Shepherd's mission church. In November, 1942, Saint Mary's was placed under the direction of Reverend Doctor J. J. Federowicz, who was pastor of Holy Child Church and Director of Saint Stanislaus Institute in Nanticoke. Due to the affiliation with Saint Stanislaus, a Polish institute, Saint Mary's began to be referred to as a Polish church. The parish continues to have a strong Polish identity today. On September 21, 1948, Saint Mary's was placed under the care of Reverend Joseph F. Kalinowski who was appointed as its first resident pastor.

The first Baptism in the Parish was Waclaw Hilenski, the son of Joseph Hilenski and Susan Kania, who was baptized on April 15, 1923, by Reverend J. J. Kowalewski.

The first marriage recorded in the parish registry was that of Adam Zgorski and Margaret Eckrote, who were united in matrimony on June 3, 1924, by Reverend Ladislaus J. Kolebuk.

The first burial in the parish cemetery, which consisted of a two acre parcel of ground donated by Harry Helfrich, was recorded in the books as Francis Glowka on September 27, 1925.

On December 5, 1952, the original church was completely destroyed by fire. A faulty furnace was blamed for the destruction. Reverend Kalinowski made repeated, but unsuccessful efforts, to save the Blessed Sacrament and sacred vessels. After the fire, Sunday Mass was celebrated in the dining room of the Rustic Tavern until a new church could be built.

Ground-breaking ceremonies for a new church were held on April 26, 1953. The first spade of earth was turned over by Father Kalinowski assisted by Joseph Zielinski, Sr., representing the older generation of the parish and Michael Durkin, representing the younger generation. The following presidents of societies also broke ground: Catherine Tarnecki, Altar and Rosary; Helen Ceaser, Saint Theresa's Guild; Frank Shepela, Holy Name Society; Joseph Zielinski, Jr., Parish Choir; Regina Wojcik, Blessed Virgin Mary Sodality; George Ceaser, Jr., Junior Holy Name Society.

On the Feast of the Assumption, August 15, 1953, the cornerstone was laid and blessed by the pastor. Meanwhile, the men of the Holy Name Society who wished to prevent future building congestion purchased a tract of land across the road from the rectory, church, and grove. This increased the size of the parish cemetery. Another piece of land was donated in the rear of the church by the Wenner family. This provided suitable parking space and a recreation area.

Dedication of the new church was held on February 14, 1954. A Mass of Thanksgiving was celebrated by Reverend Kalinowski. The dedication and Mass were presided over by the Most Reverend Henry T. Klonowski, S.T.D., Auxiliary Bishop of Scranton Diocese.

The first baptism in the present church was Donna Kalinowski, daughter of Alexander Kalinowski and Caterina Aloisantonis, who was baptized on February 28, 1954, by Reverend Joseph F. Kalinowski.

The first marriage recorded in the parish registry is that of Theodore Mylet and Regina Wojcik, who were united in matrimony on February 20, 1954, by Reverend Joseph F. Kalinowski.

Reverend Kalinowski remained as resident pastor until March 15, 1959, when he was transferred. Reverend Albert M. Kaczmarek became resident pastor and served until September 10, 1968, when he was also transferred. He was followed by Reverend Francis A. Dobrydnio, who served from September 10, 1968, to September 4, 1973. Reverend John Zalewski was pastor at Saint Mary's from September 4, 1973, until February 3, 1988, when he died. This left the parish without a priest. On March 24, 1988, Reverend Robert N. Shilala became resident pastor until he died on August 26, 1997. Reverend Mark G. Balczeniuk assumed responsibility on September 17, 1997.He was transferred July 29, 2006. Reverend John F. Poplawski became resident pastor on July 30, 2006 and took a medical leave of absense on May 31, 2007. This left the parish without a resident pastor. On July 11, 2007, Reverend Mark A. Honhart became administrator and is the current resident pastor of the church.