| History of the Founding of the Polish Colony in Bremond Texas |
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| Written by Teana Sechelski | |||||||
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Written by Joseph Bartula in the year 1894 Therefore, in the first year I came to Bremond there were no Polish families except my family and Francis Bajanski. Curious Americans came by to see the Poles. The city of Bremond was much larger than at present after the year 1900. There were more stores and several jewish families. At this time Herman Schmiett started his grocery business with $500. Now he is a banker and has the largest business. At last, in the same year, 1875, on the 10th of November two Polish families arrived: Pietrzykowski and his wife and three children, two daughters and one son, Ochendalski, who was the son-in-law of Pietrzykowski, with his wife and two children. They settled on Roberts' farm. The next year Martin Matysiak arrived with his family. He was the first Pole to buy a 50-acre farm for $500. Second came Michael Paszkiet and his family and third came Floryan Bajanski, Francis Knof, Joseph Bajerowski, all with their familes There was no Catholic Church here. Father Bussant, a French priest, came here for services four times a year which were held in the Roberts' home. In the same year, 1876, our son Joseph was born on the 9th of January. He was the first child born to a Polish family and was baptized by Father Bussant in the Roberts' home. His godparents were Holt Ajryst (store clerk) and Mrs. Roberts. 
In the same year, 1876, our son Joseph was born on the 9th of January. He was the first child born to a Polish family
and was baptized by Father Bussant in the Roberts' home. His godparents were Holt Ajryst (store clerk) and Mrs.
Roberts. 
In the same year there appeared in Bremond Apolinary Karwowski, a nobleman, who was engaged in sales. In 1877 he lived in Marlin, Texas, where there was a Polish settlement of about 60 families. Father Fleury, a Frenchman from Waco, came there at the same time. With Mr. Karwowski, he collected several hundred dollars and bought a store which was renovated to be the Polish church. In the same year Father Joseph Mosiewicz, heart and soul a Pole, came to Marlin. He held services every second Sunday in Bremond. The Bremond parish was small in number and poor with only about 30 families. Services were held at the homes of different parishioners. In the year 1878 Father Mosiewicz took upon himself to build a Polish church in Bremond. The Polish people didn't have the money. We only collected $115 from the Polish families. John C. Roberts gave $250. The rest ($850) we collected from other nationalities in Robertson County. The church was build in 1879 at the cost of $1200. It was 50 feet long and 35 feet wide. Father Mosiewicz had the first service on the second day after Whitsunday. At this time in the year 1879 the following were listed as members of the Polish Parish of Bremond.
And yet the Polish people received Father Polujanski with their whole hearts. He said his first Mass here in the Polish church in Bremond. Father Mosiewicz assisted and helped him, making several corrections during the Mass so that it could be completed.
And yet the Polish people received Father Polujanski with their whole hearts. He said his first Mass here in the Polish
church in Bremond. Father Mosiewicz assisted and helped him, making several corrections during the Mass so that it
could be completed.
The young priest came to stay with Mr. Sadowski. He was receiving good wages. At the same time he was thinking how to get rid of Roman 'goats' and Father Mosiewicz. At last Father Mosiewicz willingly stepped down without the Bishop's involvement. He remained a good friend to the parish and Father Polujanski. Now in January 1880, there was peace. Father Mosiewicz left all church utensils to Father Polujanski. This (peace) lasted until the first of February of the same year. 
The first day of February was Sunday. Monday was the feast of the Purification. I, the author of this history, had a son to
be baptized. Father Mosiewicz wanted to be godfather with Mrs. Roberts. We came to church. Father Mosiewicz
wanted to offer Mass first which would be followed by High Mass said by Father Polujanski. Unfortunately, present in
the church also were his two supporters, Jacob Suchowiak and Joseph Sadowski. When Father Mosiewicz got ready
to say Mass, they grabbed the chalice form his hand. They would not let him continue with the services. After this,
Father Mosiewicz took all the needed items and baptized my son in my home. The church was closed for two
days.At last the Bishop was notified about it. He sent four priests to settle the problem. Before the altar in the church men and women gave testimony. At last they gave the verdict that Father Mosiewicz was and is the pastor. the argument was then taken to the American courts. During Holy Week (before Easter), with lawyers advising them, Polish witness appeared in the presence of the court where they swore before two lit candles and a cross about what had happened. The lawsuit went in favor of Father Mosiewicz. Finally the Bishop commanded Father Polujanski to step down from Bremond. Father Mosiewicz came to offer services. Still, Suchowiak was going around to the farmers and advocating that the Poles not attend church because the old priest would be having the services. Turmoil lasted for one year. At last the Lithuanian Polujanski, by force of power, came to our parish in the year 1881 and began his pastorate. He could not read nor write (in Polish?). He was only good in collecting dollars everwhere. Over a period of five years he collected several thousand dollars and then he left for Baltimore. There he brought a soloon from which he had a living. At last Father Peter Litwora, born in Galicia in the diocese of Tarnow, replied in a letter that he wanted to come to the Polish parish in Bremond, Texas. The parishioners quickly donated the needed money for his fare. On the 6th day of January in the year of 1888, Father Litwora came to Bremond and became the pastor of the parish from then to this day. His brother, Felix, is the organist and helps around the church. I am not in the position to describe the fifteen years of the pastorate of Father Litrwora because I am unable to write with my hand for a few years. Secondly, this book rested in the hands of the pastor for five years where the pastor did not write a word." This Diary was written by Jozef Barula and translated by Katherine and Teana Sechelski. It originally appeared in the Spring 1991 issue of PGST News, published by the Polish Genealogical Society of Texas . | |||||||
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