Rev. Simon Ponganis

Rev. Simon Ponganis, pastor of St. Adalbert’s (Polish) Catholic church, at the corner of Fourth and Davis streets, Westside, Grand Rapids, was born in Poland, April 24, 1859, and his earlier education was acquired at Warsaw, in the gymnasium and theological seminary. After graduating from the latter, in 1883, he went to Rome, took an additional course in theology at the Gregorian university, and in 1885 was adopted by Bishop Richter, of Grand Rapids and came here in August of the same year. In December, 1885, he was ordained priest at St. Andrew’s cathedral, was assistant to the bishop four months, and was then appointed to the charge of St. Adalbert’s parish. Here he is greatly beloved by his people; no dissensions have taken place in the congregation since his incumbency, and he is now the oldest priest, in point of service, in the city of Grand Rapids.

St. Adalbert’s church was erected in 1881, and the following year it was dedicated by the Right Rev. H. J. Richter, D. D. Its first pastor was Father Jablowski who remained but a few months and was succeeded by Father Matkowski, who continued as pastor for two years. In 1886 Father Ponganis assumed charge, the congregation then consisting of about 120 families and the parochial school having an enrolment of ninety pupils. The new school building adjoins the church yard on the north, and is a handsome stone and brick structure of eight rooms, and cost $15,000. The class rooms are in charge of nine sisters from Notre Dame, Ind., and during the past ten years has had a remarkable growth, the enrolment being now over 600. In 1889 the church was enlarged and greatly improved, the seating capacity being largely increased, at a cost of $6,000. The congregation has steadily increased under the pastoral care of Father Ponganis, and now numbers about 700 families, although it was divided in 1897, in September of which year the corner-stone of St. Stanislaus was laid and blessed. The new house of worship is on North Diamond street, East side, is now completed and finished, cost $10,000, but as yet no pastor has been appointed to take charge. This new church will, in course of time, take about 150 families from St. Adalbert’s congregation, but still Father Ponganis will have the largest congregation in the city, that of St. Andrews’s cathedral alone excepted.

There are seven benevolent sodalities connected with St. Adalbert’s, the chief of which, St. Adalbert’s society, erected at a cost of $15,000, a large casino, in which their meetings are held and their entertainments given. This society numbers 250 members, and is in a most prosperous condition.

Not a dollar of debt rests against the parishes of St. Adallbert and St. Stanislaus, and for this commendable fact much credit is due to Father Ponganis, whose zeal and untiring labor, exercised among his loving and faithful parishioners, have brought about this happy condition.