The Old Polish Church - Bridge Street

During the 1890s, the Polish congregation of what was later known as the Mater Dolorosa Church was conducting services in the Flats section using the Holy Rosary Church until funds could be raised to buy land and construct a church. 

In 1896, another Polish Church made its mark by attracting parishioners. This is the story of the short-lived church, known only as the Old Polish Catholic Church, and the Rev. Aldabert Maria Dynia.

A group of disgruntled Polish parishioners desired to form an independent Polish Parish in Holyoke. They chose Reverend Aldabert Maria Dynia, who arrived from Columbus, Ohio, in early 1896. In the process, the parishioners bypassed the local bishop's approval for the selection.

Land to construct a church was purchased from Rufus Mosher, with the deed recorded on April 25, 1896. The purchasers were Aldabert Maria Dynia, Frank Nitkiewicz, and John Kossowski. 

In mid-April 1896, the small church, which purportedly had 200 members, was under construction on the eastern side of Bridge Street, between Mosher and Dwight Street.

The local bishop threatened excommunication for those attending services at this new church.

The bishop ordered Rev. Dynia to meet and verify his credentials with the presiding Cardinal Sartolli in Washington, D.C. There were reports that Rev. Dynia was an excommunicated Catholic priest in Poland, but this was not confirmed. Rev. Dynia returned from his visit with the cardinal, stating, "Everything was all right."

Civil suits mounted against Rev. Dynia for failing to pay several contractors who built the church and repay a personal loan.

By mid-June 1896, the church was unused after about two months of services. The 200 parishioners had abandoned the church, many returning to the Polish congregation using the Holy Rosary Church.

The wooden church on Bridge Street became a lightning rod for young arsonists. The arsonists' attempts failed to destroy the building. A foreclosure proceeding occurred in 1897, but this was forestalled. The City Health Inspector wanted the building razed as it was considered a public nuisance.

The real estate was sold to Louis Lafrance at foreclosure in 1899 for $3,500. The plan was to erect three twelve-tenement buildings along Bridge Street for police officer John A Vachon for $44,000.

Citations:

Newspapers.com (paid subscription): Citations: Holyoke (Massachusetts) Transcript & Transcript-Telegram; publication dates are shown.

Holyoke Public Library, Holyoke, Massachusetts, City Directories.

Registry of Deeds, Hampden County, Springfield, Massachusetts

                                     

Approximate location of the Old Polish Church based on Reg of Deeds Description

                         

McCarthy's Restaurant

Thomas McCarthy had a background in food service. In the mid-1920s, he operated the first cafeteria at the National Blank Book Company. In the 1930s, he owned a lunch wagon at 1552 1/2 Northampton Street while he resided nearby at 1550 Northampton Street. 

On August 31, 1939, McCarthy's Restaurant opened for business at 1557 Northampton Street. The proprietors of the new restaurant were Thomas J & Helen McCarthy. 

The newly built restaurant was located on the western side of Northampton Street, across the street from his lunch wagon. The McCarthys purchased the restaurant site in two transactions, two parcels from Winifred J Phelps and a third parcel from Edward Whithill. Both purchases were recorded at the Registry of Deeds on September 9, 1938.

D. J. Guilbault was the restaurant's building contractor, and J. F. Cunniff Company was the engineering firm. The restaurant has two wings: one side with booth and fountain service and the other for table service and functions. 

Newspaper accounts showed the restaurant was busy for several years with many functions, including weddings, bridal showers, anniversary parties, and civic and social banquets.

Thomas J. McCarthy died on January 6, 1943, at age 47. 

Alfred Terranova then operated the restaurant under a lease arrangement in June 1943, and the McCarthy Restaurant name remained. 

A fire occurred at the restaurant on April 13, 1944. Repairs and renovations were made, and the restaurant reopened in late June 1944.

Also, in 1944, talks continued about constructing a school on the western side of Northampton Street on the restaurant's property. This included possibly taking a welding shop that was part of Reardon's Garage, the former First Congregational Church, and the McCarthy's Restaurant building.

On January 28, 1946, Mr Terranova purchased the real estate from Helen McCarthy. In late 1946, the restaurant was renamed McCarthy's Eatmore Restaurant, and in 1947, it was again renamed The Toll House Grille.

The equipment and furnishings were sold at a public auction on November 8, 1948, and the real estate was sold to the 1557 Northampton Street Corporation on November 12, 1948. The building was modified for Springfield Clothing Market, a women's apparel shop.

On October 9, 1950, the City of Holyoke took ownership of the property by eminent domain to build a new junior high school. The restaurant building was purchased by John T. Oleksak, owner of the City Paint Factory, and relocated across the street for his business. A photo of the current location is shown below.

Citations:

Newspapers.com (paid subscription): Citations: Holyoke (Massachusetts) Transcript & Transcript-Telegram; publication dates are shown.

Holyoke (Massachusetts)Public Library, History Room, online Holyoke City Directories

Registry of Deeds, Hampden County, Springfield, Massachusetts

Google Maps Online

Google Maps View (June 2023) The now-altered former McCarthy's Restaurant building.           1548 Northampton St

 

Transcript-Telegram Mon. Jan 8, 1940