In the late 19th and early 20th century, Poles came in increasing numbers to upstate New York and Oswego in particular, to find work in the booming factories and to till the land.  They came to work at the Standard Spinning Factory, the Swits Conde and Nottingham Knitting Mills, the Diamond Match Factory, the Shade Cloth (Brennerman – Hartshorn), Kingsford Starch as well as other mills and foundries in the booming city. They settled throughout the city and its environs, but especially in the picturesque rural southwest corner that even today is called “Polak Hill”.  Most families had  substantial garden and flower plots as well as cows and chickens, to keep touch with the land, as most were of peasant stock.  Here they built the thriving parish of St. Stephen, King of Hungary.  As a sign of this legacy, the statue of St. Stephen on the right side of the church bears the legend “Szent Istvan”, or Saint Stephen in Hungarian.


One of the important societies that serves our parish is the Altar Society, dedicated to the preparation of the altar and decoration and cleaning of the church throughout the church year.  Expert and meticulous preparation of Altar linens, flowers, candles, special displays for Christmas, Lent, Easter all fall under their careful attention.
The Society was begun in 1924, and was named “the Society of Altar Girls”.  Only single women could belong, and once married, girls left to join the Rosary Society, made up of married women.  Even today, older ladies refer to the Rosary Society as the “Matki” or “Mothers” for that reason.  Some time later, when married women were allowed into the Altar Society, a group for single young girls called the Altar Sodality was organized to serve alongside the Society, performing the same duties.  Here is a translation from excerpts of the original President’s book for the Society:
“On October 15th, 1924, at Saint Stephen’s Church, Reverend Father Kazimierz Piejda began the Society of Altar Girls.  The first President was Miss Katarzyna Lupa, Vice President – Miss Anna Wojciechowska, Secretary – Miss Anna Kowalczyk, Treasurer- Miss Franciszka Szymborska.”
These officers served from 1924 to January, 1926.
“For the year 1926 the officers elected are:  President- Miss Wladyslawa Chojnicka, Vice President – Miss Bronislawa Lupa, Secretary- Miss Anna Koleczek, Treasurer – Miss Victoria Siembor.
For the year 1926 there are 22 members.  In the budget there is $6.09 clear profit.
On March 14, 1926, a meeting was held downstairs in the Church.  The meeting was opened with a prayer, then President Wladyslawa Chojniczka welcomed everyone and suggested that there would be organized “Guardians of the Sick”.  Miss Bronislawa Lupa seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously.  Miss Katarzyna Lupa and Miss Wanda Olszewski were elected as Guardians of the Sick and the motion was carried.  Next dues were collected in the amount of $2.85.  Also a collection for flowers (for decorating the church) was taken, which amounted to $11.00.  Expenses were as follows - $4.03 for the Tabernacle curtains and some other small items.  The meeting ended with a prayer.”

(Translated by Zosia Lupa)