The Parish of St. John the Baptist PNCC in Hazleton, PA
Everything that we do in our parish is rooted in our love for Jesus Christ who is present with us in the tabernacle in the Most Blessed Sacrament of the altar. It is the Holy Mass, the sacrifice of Calvary in our midst, where we are fed with the life giving Body and Blood of Christ that strengthens us to go out into the world to be His body.
At the beginning of the 20th century, thousands of Polish and Slavic immigrants began to settle in the anthracite region of Northeastern Pennsylvania. They were ordinary, hard-working people who came to America seeking employment, freedom, and equality. They were also seeking religious institutions with deeper convictions, as existing churches failed to meet the spiritual needs of this group. As a result, settlers in the Greater Hazleton Area had the motivation and direction to organize a free, independent Polish National Catholic Church.
On February 23, 1923, the first organizational meeting was held, and the seeds of our church were planted. When our petition for a parish charter was filed, however, the name of the parish (St. John the Baptist Polish National Catholic Church) was deemed objectionable by some Roman Catholic Church leaders. Officially, it was to be known as St. John the Baptist Polish Church of Hazleton. This remained the chartered name of our church until June 1, 1988, when the charter was formally changed to reflect the church's proper name: St. John the Baptist Polish National Catholic Church.
In 1924, necessary arrangements were made to purchase the land needed to erect a humble house of worship. By June 24 of that year, the church was completed and blessed by the Most Rev. Franciszek Hodur, Prime Bishop of the Polish National Catholic Church. Over the years, the church has been renovated to meet both the physical and spiritual needs of worshipers. This beautification is an ongoing process that remains focused on oneness with God, as this is the basis for all human life.
The atmosphere of this House of God is reverent, family-like, and peaceful. As one enters the vestibule, the symbol of Christian humility, a sense of security is felt. The appointments in the vestibule area are simple and unpretentious. Holy water fonts can be found here, as a reminder to cleanse the heart and mind before entering into the presence of God. Also therein can be found the statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary—a symbol of perfect love and obedience to God, for it is through Her intercession that we may become one with God.
A straight aisle leads toward the center of the church, directly to the Main Altar, which occupies the most prominent place. The focal point of our Altar is the hand-carved wooden cross, which depicts Christ’s ultimate sacrifice for human sins. The perspective is rather unique in that Christ is represented as being very much alive but nailed to the cross, at the peak of His mission, reaching up His arms with His whole being to the Father. He is the high Priest in the sacrificial act of giving His spirit to the Father for the world as the meditator communicating between humanity and the Father in heaven. Under the cross is the tabernacle, the heart of the real presence of God.
On either side of the cross are two wooden sculptures. The one to the right depicts Christ’s triumphant Resurrection. It impresses that Jesus is truly the mediator between God and man. He lifted up this fragile human frame through resurrection to the transcendent reality of Divinity. The sculpture depicts Christ explosively emerging above the skies like the sunrise on a new world—He truly is the way.
The sculpture to the left of the cross depicts the baptism of Jesus Christ. A humble and open Christ is shown standing in the River Jordan in the midst of high prayer. St. John the Baptist (the Patron of our parish) appears as a saintly man who is yet simple and humble, ready to be an instrument in the mission of salvation.
To the left of the Main Altar is a wooden sculpture of the Blessed Virgin Mary. She bears a compassionate tone, inviting people to Her Son, Jesus. She is cheerful, bright, and fair. She opens Her arms forward as she calls us, inviting us to something great.
To the right of the Main Altar is a wooden sculpture of St. Joseph. He is a man of hard work, simple and saintly. In one hand, he holds a lily that symbolizes his great virtues. In the other hand, he grasps a carpentry tool. This is a symbol of his honest, dedicated work as a carpenter in order to care for his Holy Family.
Additional sculptures can be found below the free-standing altar, depicting Christ and His apostles at the Last Supper. Upon our sharing of Christ’s body and blood at the Communion rail, we really feel that we are participating with the apostles and are becoming Christ’s disciples.
Also in the sanctuary is the perpetual light, symbolizing the continued presence of Christ in our church. Directly above the Sanctuary, near the ceiling, is a wooden sculpture displaying the Holy Spirit above the symbol of the Polish National Catholic Church with its motto: Prawda, Praca, Walka--Zwyciezymy! (By truth, work, and struggle--we shall triumph!).
All wooden sculptures in our church were designed and completed by Rev. Walter Madej, and were dedicated by our Bishop Ordinary Anthony M. Rysz on May 22, 1988.
On February 23, 1923, the first organizational meeting was held, and the seeds of our church were planted. When our petition for a parish charter was filed, however, the name of the parish (St. John the Baptist Polish National Catholic Church) was deemed objectionable by some Roman Catholic Church leaders. Officially, it was to be known as St. John the Baptist Polish Church of Hazleton. This remained the chartered name of our church until June 1, 1988, when the charter was formally changed to reflect the church's proper name: St. John the Baptist Polish National Catholic Church.
In 1924, necessary arrangements were made to purchase the land needed to erect a humble house of worship. By June 24 of that year, the church was completed and blessed by the Most Rev. Franciszek Hodur, Prime Bishop of the Polish National Catholic Church. Over the years, the church has been renovated to meet both the physical and spiritual needs of worshipers. This beautification is an ongoing process that remains focused on oneness with God, as this is the basis for all human life.
The atmosphere of this House of God is reverent, family-like, and peaceful. As one enters the vestibule, the symbol of Christian humility, a sense of security is felt. The appointments in the vestibule area are simple and unpretentious. Holy water fonts can be found here, as a reminder to cleanse the heart and mind before entering into the presence of God. Also therein can be found the statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary—a symbol of perfect love and obedience to God, for it is through Her intercession that we may become one with God.
A straight aisle leads toward the center of the church, directly to the Main Altar, which occupies the most prominent place. The focal point of our Altar is the hand-carved wooden cross, which depicts Christ’s ultimate sacrifice for human sins. The perspective is rather unique in that Christ is represented as being very much alive but nailed to the cross, at the peak of His mission, reaching up His arms with His whole being to the Father. He is the high Priest in the sacrificial act of giving His spirit to the Father for the world as the meditator communicating between humanity and the Father in heaven. Under the cross is the tabernacle, the heart of the real presence of God.
On either side of the cross are two wooden sculptures. The one to the right depicts Christ’s triumphant Resurrection. It impresses that Jesus is truly the mediator between God and man. He lifted up this fragile human frame through resurrection to the transcendent reality of Divinity. The sculpture depicts Christ explosively emerging above the skies like the sunrise on a new world—He truly is the way.
The sculpture to the left of the cross depicts the baptism of Jesus Christ. A humble and open Christ is shown standing in the River Jordan in the midst of high prayer. St. John the Baptist (the Patron of our parish) appears as a saintly man who is yet simple and humble, ready to be an instrument in the mission of salvation.
To the left of the Main Altar is a wooden sculpture of the Blessed Virgin Mary. She bears a compassionate tone, inviting people to Her Son, Jesus. She is cheerful, bright, and fair. She opens Her arms forward as she calls us, inviting us to something great.
To the right of the Main Altar is a wooden sculpture of St. Joseph. He is a man of hard work, simple and saintly. In one hand, he holds a lily that symbolizes his great virtues. In the other hand, he grasps a carpentry tool. This is a symbol of his honest, dedicated work as a carpenter in order to care for his Holy Family.
Additional sculptures can be found below the free-standing altar, depicting Christ and His apostles at the Last Supper. Upon our sharing of Christ’s body and blood at the Communion rail, we really feel that we are participating with the apostles and are becoming Christ’s disciples.
Also in the sanctuary is the perpetual light, symbolizing the continued presence of Christ in our church. Directly above the Sanctuary, near the ceiling, is a wooden sculpture displaying the Holy Spirit above the symbol of the Polish National Catholic Church with its motto: Prawda, Praca, Walka--Zwyciezymy! (By truth, work, and struggle--we shall triumph!).
All wooden sculptures in our church were designed and completed by Rev. Walter Madej, and were dedicated by our Bishop Ordinary Anthony M. Rysz on May 22, 1988.