by Betty Jane “BJ” Sawicki O'Leary
St. Hedwig’s has a place in family history because family members were founding fathers, generations received elementary education there, and my Mom and Dad met at their teen social club.
St. Hedwig Roman Catholic Church in Floral Park was built in 1902 to serve a large Polish congregation. In 1908, the St. Hedwig School was built with four classrooms attached to the convent. It was replaced with a new building in 1926 that had twelve classrooms.
In the above photo, the rectory is behind the church, and the school is behind the rectory. The convent for the Felician Sisters, who taught at the school, cannot be seen in this view, but is to the left of the school.
These are the Strauss family members who attended St Hedwigs School.
| Kinga Strauss Lubowiecki | |
| Virginia Lubowiecki | |
| Stanley Lubowiecki | |
| Jane Strauss | |
| Adelaide Tworkowski | |
| Eleanore H. Tworkowski | |
| Dorothy Pogozelski | |
| Ruth M Pogozelski Horr | |
| Edward J Sawicki Jr | |
| Diana J Sawicki | |
| Betty Jane Sawicki | |
| James M Sawicki | |
| Linda Pogozelski Colgan O'Rear | |
| * | Matt O'Leary |
| * | Justin O'Leary |
| * | Chris Sawicki |
| * | Danielle Sawicki Austin |
* religious instruction only
St Hedwigs's School is no longer a school. The building is now Saint Hedwig's Gardens—affordable Senior Housing. The convent was torn down and now serves as parking.