St. Hedwig, Floral Park

St. Hedwig's church stands on the south side of Jericho Turnpike (NY 25) in Floral Park at the corner of Depan Avenue.  The rectory address is 1 Depan Avenue, Floral Park NY 11001, telephone 516-354-0042.  The well-designed, informative parish website is linked here.
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In 1902, the bishop of Brooklyn established the parish for Polish Catholics, and this church was built the next year.

The above schedule was photographed in August, 2012.

The parish patron is presumably Sw. Jadwiga, monarch of Poland, who lived 1373-1399, revered as a saint for centuries before her official canonization by Pope John Paul II.

An inscription in the vestibule lists the renowned and productive George Streeton as architect.

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St. Hyacinth, Glen Head

To read the Mass schedule, please note that any photo may be enlarged by clicking on it.  The church of St. Hyacinth is located at 319 Cedar Swamp Road, Glen Head, NY 11445, telephone 516-676-0361.  This is on the northbound side of NY 107 as it moves from Old Brookville to the city of Glen Cove.

The design of this 1985 church, both exterior and interior, is remarkable.  The Stations of the Cross are helped not only by fourteen inspirational sculptures but also by several small stained glass windows.  Higher up on each of the two side walls are windows of Jesus, Mary, and various other holy people: Pope John Paul II, two St. Stanislaus, St. Maximilian Kolbe, St. Hedwig, St. Casimir, and others.  I did not notice a reference to St. Hyacinth (Sw. Jacek, a Polish Dominican friar, 1185-1257).
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The A.I.A. Architectural Guide to Nassau and Suffolk Counties (Dover Publ., Mineola, 1992) on page 17 states this: "Designed by Bentel and Bentel, and winner of a 1988 Archi Award, this church was built in 1986.  A substantial effort was made by the designers to include subtle features from Middle European/Polish churches.  The brick detailing, the heavy plank front door and oval windows with wrought-iron grillwork are a few of the elements that are used to give St. Hyacinth's its distinctive quality.  .... The masonry work is intended to enhance the qualities of scale and texture so important to the ambience of this religious space. ..."

There is a chapel to the left of the main entrance.
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Belmont deanery

The Diocese of Rockville Centre, although highly centralized under its Bishop, is structured with three Vicariates: Western, Central, Eastern. Within Nassau County there are seven Deaneries.  I begin with the Belmont Deanery, bordering Queens County.  Please recall that until 1899 Queens County included the towns of Nassau County.  Until 1957, the diocese of Brooklyn included all Long Island.
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In 1858, Bishop John Loughlin of Brooklyn established St. Boniface parish, now with its church and cemetery at Dutch Broadway and Elmont Road, in an area then called Foster Meadow.  In 1902, Bishop Charles McDonnell established St. Hedwig as a Polish parish in Floral Park and Holy Name of Mary in downtown Valley Stream.

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1913 -- Establishment of St. Catherine of Sienna, Franklin Square.

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1921: Establishment of Our Lady of Victory, Floral Park.  The victory commemorated is that of 1571, one of the battles of Lepanto. 

1926: Our Lady of Lourdes, Malverne

1929: St. Anne, Garden City

1941: Our Lady of Peace, Lynbrook. "Inspired by the world events of 1941, the pastor-founder of the new church suggested that the new church be dedicated to and named Our Lady of Peace."

1950: Blessed Sacrament, North Valley Stream

1951: St. Vincent de Paul, Elmont

The above ten parishes comprise the Belmont Deanery.  Five will sponsor parish elementary schools in September, 2012: St. Anne,  Our Lady of Peace, Our Lady of Lourdes,  Our Lady of Victory, and Holy Name of Mary.  All ten parishes have Faith Formation (CCD) programs.