Church of St. Casimir

About the Church

St. Casimir's Church is a historic Roman Catholic church located in Yonkers, New York, within the Archdiocese of New York. The church has been serving the Polish and broader Catholic community for over 120 years.

History

The Parish of St. Casimir in Yonkers was founded in 1899. Fr. Joseph C. Dworzak, acting as an organizational leader, obtained permission from Archbishop Michael Corrigan to establish the parish. Fr. Anthony Jakubowski was appointed the first pastor on March 10, 1901. The parish took out a loan of $25,000 from the Emigrant Industrial Savings Bank in New York for the construction of the church and rectory.

The construction contract was signed on September 5, 1902. The groundbreaking and cornerstone laying ceremony took place on September 11, 1902, in the presence of the mayor and local officials. The blessing of the cornerstone occurred on November 9, 1902. In June 1903, during the Feast of the Holy Trinity, the first mass was held in the new church.

In 1925, with the permission of the diocese, construction began on a new church and school according to the design by architect J. S. Giele.

In 1895, after the death of John Copcut, the parish purchased his residence at 239 Nepperhan Avenue. The building, built in 1854 in Italian Renaissance style, was used as a convent for over 50 years and then as a rectory from 1955. In 1985, the Copcut Residence was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Fr. Edmund A. Fabisinski took over as pastor on January 25, 1964. Under his leadership, the church was renovated in the spirit of the Second Vatican Council, including installing an altar facing the congregation, removing the altar rail, and installing new modern pews. The front steps of the building were removed and new side steps were installed.

Architecture

The church represents a unique type of Gothic style found exclusively in Poland. The interior is very ornate but at the same time friendly to the congregation. The church contains many works of art.

Community

The parish serves the Polish Catholic community as well as the broader community of believers in Yonkers. The church is an important spiritual and cultural center for Polish immigrants and their descendants.