Obit: Korczyk, J.M. (1873 - 1940)

Contact: Stan
Email: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Korczyk

----Sources: THORP COURIER (Thorp, Clark County, Wis.) 12/12/1940

Korczyk, J.M. (10 APR 1873 - 5 DEC 1940)

Rt. Rev. Msgr. J.M. Korczyk died after a short illness at a La Crosse hospital last Thursday evening. He was born April 10th, 1873, near Krakow in Poland and at Krakow he began his higher studies.

He came to these United States in 1893, entering the Polish Seminary at Detroit, Mich., to continue his studies for the priesthood. Here he finished philosophy. He studied theology at St. Francis Seminary near Milwaukee and was ordained priest in 1879.

Soon after his ordination he was appointed pastor of St. Hedwig’s Congregation (Posen) of Thorp (Clark Co., Wis.). Because he was the first resident pastor, he built the first rectory, a frame building now used as residence for janitor-organist. In 1900 he was moved to Weyerhauser, attended Phillips and organized a new parish at Superior. In 1901 he went to Pink Creek and in 1904 to Wis. Rapids. Then for 10 years he was professor of the Polish language at St. Francis Seminary.

In the fall of 1919 Father Korczyk came back to St. Hedwig’s at Thorp, the year following to St. Stanislaus parish at Arcadia and in 1922 to Holy Cross Parish at La Crosse, where he remained until the end of his earthly journey.

For many years he was a Diocesan Consultor and in 1933 was made a Domestic Prelate, receiving the title of Rt. Rev. Monsignor.

He was a cousin of the two Rev. Garas, Andrew and James.

He died after an operation for ruptured appendix at the age of 67 years, 7 months and 24 days.

Funeral services were held Monday at 10:00 a.m. at Holy Cross Church in La Crosse, with Most Rev. Wm. Griffin, auxiliary bishop, pontificating.