Final Mass at Saint Hedwig

The final Mass at Saint Hedwig Catholic Church will be celebrated Sunday, August 26, 2012 at 11:00am.  A reception will be held afterward, all are welcome.

This will be the last public Mass in the rich and vibrant history of northwest Ohio's oldest Polish church.  Founded in 1875 and relocated to its present location in 1891, Saint Hedwig will close its doors as of September 1, 2012.

In June of 2010, Father Joseph Poggemeyer became the new pastor of the newly merged Saints Adalbert and Hedwig Parish, he announced that he would be closing the church in September of 2010, however parishioners were able to successfully persuade him to keep the church open.  Saint Hedwig went from having a regular 8:00am and noon Sunday Mass to only having one Sunday Mass at 11:30am which was then changed to 11:00am.  On May 20, 2012 Father Joseph Poggemeyer announced that he would be closing Saint Hedwig Catholic Church effective September 1, 2012.  Parishioners tried to persuade the priest to let the church remain open, but were unsuccessful.  When it came time for the annual Polish festival in July of 2012, Father Joseph Poggemeyer announced that the parish would have no part in the festival.  The parishioners responded aggressively and he allowed for a a few small booths to be operated during the festival, but nothing compared to previous years festivals.  Previously, a sale of the church's school and convent to United North had been discussed, but no new information has been given to the parishioners.

It is a very sad day for Toledo as it will lose one of its most historic churches.  The church will only be open for funerals, weddings and special events.