St. Philip the Apostle Parish was formed in 1967, when Bishop James A. McNulty decided that the enormous growth of South Cheektowaga required the formation of a new Parish. The Bishop selected Msgr. Anthony J. Jasinski to be first pastor of the Parish.
The first meeting of the new congregation was held on November 5, 1967, and the first Mass was celebrated on Sunday, November 12, 1967, at the Brushenbrook Hunting and Fishing Club which was on Losson Road. By the Summer of 1968, Masses were celebrated outdoors because of the size of the congregation.
Ground breaking for the multi-purpose building was held on March 24, 1968. The building was completed in May of 1969. The Rectory was completed in the Fall of 1972, and on March 12, 1979, the first Mass was celebrated in our beautiful new Church.
On October 6, 1990, Msgr. Anthony Jasinski began his retirement as Pastor Emeritus after 23 years as Pastor and continued on to assist with the Pastoral Team.
The Most Rev. Edward M. Grosz, D.D., V.G., was appointed to serve as Pastor with two Parochial Vicars: Rev. Richard Jedrejewski and Msgr. David G. LiPuma, on October 6, 1990.
Following this Pastoral Team, in November 7, 1996, Rev. Joseph H. Penkaul was appointed Pastor. With his health failing in August of 2008, Fr. Penkaul was no longer able to carry on his duties. He passed away on September 2, 2008.
From August 19 through November 30, 2008, Rev. Andrzej Kosminski, was given the title of Temporary Administrator, until a new Pastor was assigned.
On December 1, 2008, Rev. David J. Borowiak began as our new Pastor and continued on until his retirement in June of 2020.
Following Fr. David’s retirement, Rev. Jerome E. Kopec began his Pastoral Ministry with our Parish on July 1, 2020. After just under a year of service to our Parish, Fr. Jerry was assigned as the new Vicar for Clergy with the Diocese of Buffalo.
On June 1, 2021, Msgr. Richard W. Siepka started as the newest Pastor for our Parish after a long career at Christ the King Seminary. He was eventually named the Moderator for our Family of Parishes in June of 2023.
A busy Faith community with many active organizations and ministries, St. Philip’s is proud to continue the warm and welcoming community that was begun 56 years ago and serve as Christ taught, through Faith, Hope, and Love.
St. Philip the Apostle
Philip was born in Bethsaida, Galilee. He was a disciple of John the Baptist and is mentioned as one of the Apostles in the lists of Matthew, Mark, Luke and in Acts. Aside from the lists, he is mentioned only in John in the New Testament. He was called by Jesus Himself. Philip participated in the miracle of the loaves and fishes, accounting for his symbol of medieval art of loaves. Just before the Passion, Jesus answered Philip’s query to reveal the Father, receiving the answer, “Have I been with you so long, and yet you do not know me, Philip? He who has seen me has seen the Father.” No further mention of Philip is made in the New Testament beyond his listing among the Apostle awaiting the Holy Spirit in the Upper Room. According to tradition he preached in Greece and was crucified upside down. His feast day is May 3.
