CITIZENS of Ansonia may well be proud of the "Beauty Spot" on Jewett Street, the site of the handsome brick structure constituting the church and school of St. Joseph's Polish Roman Catholic Church. It is a tribute to its devoted parishioners and to its zealous pastor, Rev. Joseph J. Janowski. As you follow Central street and enter Jewett street, you encounter the attractive and well kept piece of property whose outstanding feature is a spacious building of yellow brick which at present serves both as a church and school. Surrounding it is a beautiful lawn with innumerable pine trees which give the grounds a most attractive appearance.

THE MANSFIFLD PLACE.

In the history of Ansonia, and Old Derby, this piece of land has played an important role for it is the original site of the "Mansfield House," home of Rector Mansfield. The original house has been moved across the street but still retaining its historic prestige, a relic of the days of early settlement. On the other hand the "',Mansfield Place," as the property was originally called, is now one of the beauty spots of Ansonia, a truly picturesque place wrought by human ingenuity. Who, it may be asked, has accomplished this wonder in such a limited time? None but a small group of enterprising. Polish people who immigrated from their native land to seek freedom in the land of Washington for which their forefathers shed their blood. Here, they brought with them, their inborn love of beauty and culture which manifests itself in their handsome church property.

ORGANIZED, 1925.

For a number of years, the spiritual needs of these people were tended to through St. Michael's parish in Derby. However, when the opportune time came, in 1925, they purchased the Mansfield Place for $6,500. The next year, work on the present building began, by which the people of the parish took upon themselves a debt of $100,000, a burden which the young parish assumed with a willingness that proved their zeal and devotion to their faith. The spiritual welfare of this parish was placed in the care of the Congregation of the Mission Fathers known as the C. M’s (Vincentian Fathers - m.s.). The first pastor was Rev. Aloysius Zeleznik, an able and zealous leader, who gave himself unsparingly to his parish duties until 1919. His place was taken by Rev. Joseph J. Janowski, present pastor, who has shown his unusual administrative talents in the growth of the parish and the creation of this new "beauty spot" of Ansonia.

FATHIER JANOWSKI.

A brief sketch of the life of Father Janowski, who, with his winning ways, great heart and zeal for souls, will not only be of interest to his own parishioners but to People in general throughout the valley cities. His has been an extraordinary career. He was born in that part of Poland which was controlled by the Germans, and, as a the schooling of his younger days was carried on in a foreign language. His higher studies together with his theology were completed in the famous city of Krakow which boasts of being the possessor of the oldest university in Central Europe, founded in 1364. After his ordination, the first four years were spent as a professor, first in Krakow University then in the College of Lemberg. In 1907, he came to this country and became assistant pastor of St. Mlichael Church, Derby. From there, he went to New Haven where he remained one year. Then he was called to a post of much responsibility, the electing of St. John Kanty College, Erie, Pa. Here his talents came to the foreground. After completing this important under taking, he remained at the college in the capacity of vice-rector and professor until the clouds of the World War loomed on the horizon. These were the days when the idea of a free Poland inspired every Pole and Father Janowski among them. He left his exalted position at the college and joined the ranks. After spending a few months in camp at Niagara, Canada, be was transferred to France where he entered the "Blue Army" under the command of Gen. J. J. Haller. After the armistice, this army of 100,000 strong went to the aid of its country, now independent Poland, which at the time bad been overwhelmed by the Bolsheviks. Through a period of two years ' Father Janowski shared the hardships of the 18th Division of sharp shooters in its campaign against Kijow and the bloody battles to preserve the capital, Warsaw. During these battles, he showed unusual valor for which he received "The Cross of Honor".

RETURNS TO AMERICA.