Beginning in the 1880’s and lasting into the 1930’s, a
heavy influx of Polish immigrants came to America. Many of these immigrants
settled in the Elizabethport section of Elizabeth building a Polish-American
community with strong ties to their mother country. In time, as the population
of this community grew, another "immigration" took place with some established
Polish families and new arrivals moving to the Bayway section of Elizabeth and
establishing a second Polish-American community. The Polonians residing in
these communities strove to enter into the mainstream of American life while
maintaining commitments to their Polish heritage. With the hardships and
problems encountered by these "new" Americans, the Poles relied on mutual
assistance to meet the challenges of everyday life in their adopted country.
Consequently, the men of these communities joined together to provide
organizations to aid those in need and to preserve their Polish culture and
traditions.
Eventually, two independent Polish societies evolved in the
Bayway area of Elizabeth, the Club of King John Sobieski III and the St.
Joseph Society. Both Societies were active in religious and community affairs
and often their services followed parallel path’s resulting in the duplication
of work and cost of their efforts. Members of both Societies worked toward
pooling their resources to form one organization that would improve their
service to the community. Upon agreement of their goals, the members elected
to name the newly formed Society "The Freedom Club of Joseph Pilsudski."
The Freedom Club of Joseph Pilsudski became affiliated with the
Association of the Sons of Poland as Group 93 and remains a beneficial and
insurance member of this society.
The consolidation of both Societies into the Freedom Club
of Joseph Pilsudski was formalized at a special meeting held on May 22, 1923
in Mr. Francis Kwiatek’s Hall at 101 Bayway Avenue, Elizabeth, NJ. The first
officers were:
President - Albert Grabon
Vice President - Florian
Wojton
Treasurer - Casimir Wajda
Financial Secretary - Francis
Czarnatowicz
Recording Secretary - Jacob
Zamorski
Trustee - Joseph Kazalski
Trustee - John Przystas
Trustee - Walter Kwiatek
Sergeant-at-Arms - Francis
Lasota
In time, the members were intent on constructing a building
to provide a home for meetings and social functions. Property was purchased at
250 Bayway Avenue, Elizabeth and construction of a clubhouse, to be named the
Bayway Polish National Home, was started in 1928 and completed in 1929. During
the many years that the Club was located at this address it became a popular
center for weddings, banquets, and dances. The Club was also active in
sponsoring athletic teams and events for the members and youth of the
neighborhood. The Club remains active in matters affecting the community on a
local, state, national, and international level and continues to sponsor and
support many charitable organizations and causes.
Following the end of World War II, the returning servicemen
founded a club named the Young Men’s Polish Association. The YMPA used
the Polish Home to hold their meetings and as a "base" for the sports teams
that were active in municipal, county, and state leagues. To compensate the
Freedom Club of Joseph Pilsudski for the use of their facilities, the members
of the YMPA took an active part in the maintenance and operation of the
clubhouse. Eventually the YMPA obtained permission to remodel the premises so
they could hold weekend dances with popular, local Polish orchestras. Within a
short time, the dances became so popular that the Bayway Polish Home had
"standing room only" crowds which urged them to expand the dances and feature
popular orchestras such as Frank Wojnarowski, Bernie Witkowski, and Ray Henry.
The success of their endeavors prompted the YMPA to approach the Freedom Club
of Joseph Pilsudski and propose that the two Club’s merge. Both Clubs agreed
to the proposal and in honor of the founding fathers retained the name of the
Freedom Club of Joseph Pilsudski.
In the early 1960s, the State of New Jersey made plans to
expand the New Jersey Turnpike and in 1964 purchased the clubhouse and land.
After losing its clubhouse, meetings were held in St. Hedwig’s Parish Hall and
plans were made to construct a new Polish Home in Bayway. Construction of the
new clubhouse started in 1966 and was completed in April, 1967 with grand
opening and dedication ceremonies held on Sunday, May 21, 1967. Shortly
thereafter, the City of Elizabeth renamed this section of Brunswick Avenue,
Pulaski Street.
The Freedom Club of Joseph Pilsudski remains a beneficial
and insurance society affiliated with the Association of the Sons of Poland as
Group 93. With a declining membership, we are still striving to maintain
an organization that values and cherishes their Polish heritage through music,
dance, and social affairs. Join us in keeping these traditions alive!
