This headline was published in the Catholic Advance Newspaper (Wichita, Kansas) from the Chicago Wire Services on February 18, 1922:
The newspaper reported the story of the murder of a Catholic priest, the Rev. Florian Chodniewicz in his rectory by someone supposedly looking for a stash of altar wine Fr. Chodniewicz was said to have kept in the rectory basement.
Before we look further in to the murder and aftermath, let's see what else we can "dig up" about Fr. Chodniewicz (pronounced "Hodnevich").
Florian (sometimes spelled "Floryan" of "Florjan") M. Chodniewicz was born May 3, 1861 in the area referred to in those days as "Russia/Poland to Wincenti Chodniewicz and Ludwika Juszczyk. Wincenti and Ludwika were blessed with eleven children. They are: Florian M. (1861-1922), Franciszka Wiktoria (1864-????), Edward Joseph (1866-1916), Antonina/Mrs. Wincenty Siewierski (1871-????), Apolonia Florentyna (1873-????), Marjanna (1875-????), Katarzyna/Mrs. Wincenty Bednarski (1876-1934), Lucja (1878-????), Pawel (1881-1949), Emilja (1882-????), and Regina (1884-1885). Wincenti Chodniewicz was a pig farmer by trade.
Florian Chodniewicz came to the United States through the Port of New York on May 21, 1889 when he was twenty-eight years old. He was ordained to the Catholic priesthood in Detroit in 1889 by the Rt. Rev. J. S. Foley:
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| Bishop John S. Foley |
When Bishop Foley was assigned to head up the Detroit Archdiocese in 1888 it was said that Detroit was an impossible assignment. This was mainly due to the many ethnicities that composed the Catholic population. The early settlers of Detroit had been French; these were followed, at different intervals, by Belgians, Germans, Poles, Slavs, and Italians. Things were so bad among the Polish Catholics in Detroit that a group of them broke away from Rome with disastrous results several years before Foley was sent there. Through the grace of his diplomacy, Bishop Foley was able to heal the Polish schism shortly after his arrival in Detroit.
Here is a photo of a young Fr. Chodniewicz, about the time of his Ordination:
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| Father Florian Chodniewicz |
After ordination, Fr. Chodniewicz's first assignment was as Assistant Pastor of St. Josaphat's Church in Detroit.
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| St. Josaphat's Catholic Church, Detroit |
In 1893 he became Pastor of St. Albertus Church in Detroit:
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| St. Albertus Catholic Church, Detroit |
I was not able to ascertain exactly why Fr. Chodniewicz left Detroit and became incardinated in Chicago. It may have been because of the huge population of Poles in Chicago. They used to say there were more Poles in Chicago than there were in Warsaw. Whatever the reason, on May 20, 1900 he was appointed Pastor of St. Columba's Church at 13305 S. Green Bay Avenue in the Hegewisch neighborhood of Chicago. At that time, St. Columba's was the southern-most parish in the City of Chicago.
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| St. Columba's Church at the time of Fr. Chodniewicz |
The parishioners were mostly Polish with a small number of non-Polish parishioners.
The census-taker for the 1900 US Census came to Fr. Chodniewicz on June 4, 1900. As you can imagine, the Anglo census taker, Dorsey E. Collins had trouble understanding the Polish-speaking Fr. Chodniewicz. The Rectory for the parish was at 13309 Avenue O in Chicago. The census taker reported Fr's name as "Rev. F. Choderwitz." Fr. Chodniewicz said he was born in May of 1854, making him 46 years old. He was, of course, Single. He was born in Poland, as were his parents. He came to the United States in 1890, and had been here for 10 years. He said he was a Naturalized citizen, but he actually was not naturalized until 1906. He could read, write and speak English. He lived in a house, and did not own it. In addition to Fr. Chodniewicz, there was a housekeeper, Otilioj Lieske, from Germany who was thirty-two years old. Both Father and the housekeeper were employed for all twelve previous months.
In 1905 Archbishop Edward Quigley gave permission to Fr. Chodniewicz to build a new church for the Polish-speaking people in Hegewisch. The church he built was a frame church, 90 by 40 feet. The cost of the church was $10,000.00 ($350,000 in today's funds). Fr. Chodniewicz was appointed First Pastor of the new "St. Florian's Church" on October 22, 1905 and the little congregation of English-speaking people left at St. Columba's was handed over to the care of the Carmelites of St. Cyril College who appointed Fr. Lawrence Diether, O.C.C. as Fr. Chodniewicz' replacement. About 100 families and 200 single men or men who had left their families in Poland became the first parishioners of St. Florian's. It is not noted whether Fr. Florian Chodniewicz picked the name for the new parish himself or not.
On September 25, 1906, Florian Chodniewicz became an American citizen:
Note that his naturalization records show Fr. Chodniewicz' Date of Birth as May 3, 1861. I don't know where the 1900 US Census taker got the date of May, 1854.
In 1907 Archbishop Quigley gave permission for Fr. Chodniewicz to build a school for the parish. The school was brick, three stories, 78 by 58 feet, Roman style. Eight Classrooms upstairs, and on the first floor a parish hall. The cost of the school building was $35,000.00 ($1,132,388 in today's funds). The school was opened in 1908. Four Franciscan nuns took care of about 200 children. Year after year the number of children grew larger and by 1920 nine nuns looked after five hundred children all by themselves. In those days in the Catholic schools there were no "teachers' aides" or "teaching assistants."
The 1910 US Census shows Florian Chodniewicz still living at 13142 S. Erie Street in Chicago. He said he was forty-eight years old and Single. He said he was born in Russia-Poland as were his parents. He said he came to the United States in 1887 (it was 1889) and that he was a Naturalized Citizen. He said that he lived in a house, and that he owned it free and clear. He said he could speak, read and write English and that his occupation was "Pastor" of a "Catholic Church."
His housekeeper Othilia Leske was still with him. She was now forty-six years old.
In 1913 Fr. Chodniewicz was given permission to build a pressed-brick rectory. It was about this time that the parish had grown so much that it was decided to give Fr. Chodniewicz an assistant, the first of which was Fr. F. Tyrcha.
In 1920 a book was put together that gave the history and current status of each parish in the Archdiocese of Chicago. St. Florian's reported that it had four men's societies with a total of 300 members. The societies belonged to either the Polish National Alliance or the Polish Roman Catholic Union and in addition to spiritual support, also provided a cash benefit upon the death of one of its members.
There were two women's societies with 200 members and have the same purpose as the men's societies - to provide spiritual and financial benefits to the members.
Fr. Chodniewicz put a value on St. Florian's of $69,000.00 ($1.041 million today). Not bad for a parish that was only fifteen years old. These were the glory days of the Archdiocese of Chicago - churches were being built, not closed.
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| St. Florian's in 1920 |
The 1920 US Census shows Florian Chodniewicz living at 13145 S. Houston Avenue in Chicago. He said he was fifty-eight years old and Single. He said he had immigrated in 1890 (correct) and became a Naturalized Citizen in 1908 (it was 1906). He could read and write English, but he was born in Poland and his Mother Tongue was Polish. He listed his occupation as "Pastor, St. Florian's Church."
Fr. Chodniewicz' former housekeeper was no longer with him. She was replaced by Stephana Lichota, age 20, from Poland. Also living in the rectory was the janitor of the school, Charles Majewski (age 30), also from Poland. Unfortunately this was the last US Census Fr. Chodniewicz would be alive to participate in.
According to newspaper accounts of the time, Fr. Chodniewicz was upstairs in his room in the rectory late in the afternoon of Friday January 27, 1922. He heard a noise coming from the basement and went downstairs to investigate. Opening the door to the basement he saw a man who then shot Fr. Chodniewicz in the leg and back. Father Chodniewicz fell down the stairs and the burglar escaped. Profusely bleeding, Fr. Chodniewicz dragged himself to the base of the stairs but then lost consciousness.
Upon hearing gunshots, the housekeeper, janitor and several parishioners who were in the church ran to the rectory to investigate, and found Fr. Chodniewicz at the foot of the stairs in a pool of his own blood. They immediately called in Dr. John Czachorski who administered first aid to Father Chodniewicz who was then transported still alive to St. Mary of Nazareth Hospital. Once at the hospital, they attempted to stabilize him and prep him for surgery the next morning to repair the damage from the bullets. Unfortunately he had lost too much blood, and passed away about 8 p.m.
The Polish newspaper Dziennik Chicagoski told the story in their edition of January 28, 1922. In addition to the facts related above, they reported that the Last Sacraments were administered to Fr. Chodniewicz by Fr. Tomasz Bona, chaplain of St. Mary of Nazareth Hospital, Fr. Stanislaw Dabrowiak from Bridgeport and Fr. Henryk Piepenkotter from Hammond, Indiana, all friends of Fr. Chodniewicz.:
Why would someone break into a rectory late on a Friday afternoon? There were no large sums of money there - the Sunday collection money had long been taken away and deposited in the bank. The rumor was that Fr. Chodniewicz had a large amount of altar wine stored in the basement of the rectory, and that was what the crook was after. Prohibition which had started in 1920 was in full swing by early 1922 and a large stash of wine would be a big temptation to anyone looking for liquor.
The Requiem Funeral Mass was held Wednesday, February 1, 1922. The celebrant was the Most Rev. Edward Hoban, then an auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Chicago.
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| Bishop Edward Hoban |
Fr. Chodniewicz was buried in Holy Cross Cemetery, Calumet City, Illinois, on February 1, 1922 in the St. Michael Section, Block K, S 1/2 of Lot 36.
Of course the flush-with-the-ground marker had sunk and was almost completely obliterated by the grass that had grown over it. Luckily I was able to locate and dig out Fr. Chodniewicz' grave.
The Chicago Police Department assured the public that they would catch the murderer of Fr. Chodniewicz "in a matter of days." In fact, newspapers reported an arrest in the case as reported in the Rock Island Argus of May 26, 1922:
But there was not enough evidence to take to a trial, so the couple was ultimately released. The fact is, the trail went cold and time passed as the hope lessened that there would ever be justice for Fr. Florian Chodniewicz.
1922 passed into 1923 with nothing new on the case. 1923 passed into 1924 and it became more and more apparent that the murder would never be solved. Finally, in March of 1924, a break in the case from the Chicago Tribune of March 3, 1924:
Fr. Chodniewicz died without ever having made a formal Last Will and Testament. On February 4, 1922 John A. Czachorski and Leo F. Sankey wrote down what they said was his Last Will and Testament which he "made by word of mouth" in their presence at his home lying on his deathbed on January 27, 1922. This must have taken place while they were making arrangements to transport Fr. Chodniewicz to the hospital after he was shot. Here are Fr. Chodniewicz' final wishes as reported by the two witnesses:
FLORIAN CHODNIEWICZ
WILL.
LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT of Rev. Father FLORIAN CHODNIEWICZ, of Chicago, Illinois, made by word of mouth and in contemplation of death and during his last illness while the said Florian Chodniewicz, now deceased, lay on his death bed, dying from the effect of gun shot wounds to his person. The said Florian Chodniewicz, by word of mouth and in our presence and at his home in the City of Chicago on the 27th day of January, A.D. 1922 made the following disposition of his property;
I request that the Rev. Father Henry Piepenkotter act as executor of this, my last will and testament and take care of and look after the disposition of my property.
I further request and direct that he pay all my just debts and funeral expenses out of my said estate and also out of my said estate he pay to the Saint Florian Roman Catholic Parish of Hegewisch, of which I am the pastor, the sum of Six Thousand ($6,000.00) Dollars, being money belonging to said Parish now in my possession as its Pastor; I further give to the said Parish the piano I now have in my home and I further give to the said parish any and all title and interest which I may have in or to the Parish House or Rectory. (Note 1)
I further give to the said Parish all the plots or parcels of land that I may own or have an interest in that are situated in the block bounded by Houston and Baltimore Avenues, 131st Street and 132nd Street in the City of Chicago, being the block on which the church, school, and rectory now stands.
I desire to give to the Rev. Father Henry Piepenkotter, in trust, the sum of Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) for the purpose of having Holy Masses said for the repose of my soul and in addition, I further direct that he have 200 Masses said for my personal intentions.
I further desire to give to my two nephews, now students at school, all my books and library.
I further desire to give to my sister, Mrs. Bednarska, of #13146 Houston Avenue, Chicago, Illinois, all the remainder of my estate, both real and personal, including all the shares of stock I may own in the Manhattan Lumber Company, and any and all monies, securities or mortgages I may have with the firm of Kramer and O'Connor, and all other monies, notes, mortgages or other securities, and all other property, both real and personal that I may own or possess. (Note 2)
The foregoing was reduced to writing and signed by us in the presence or each other as witnesses to the last will and testament as made by word of mouth by the said testator on the 27th day of January, A.D. 1922 and signed by us this 4th day of February, A. D. 1922.
(s) John A. Czachorski.
(s) Leo F. Sankey.
We the undersigned, hereby certify that the above and foregoing will was committed to writing and signed by the above named witnesses in our presence this 4th day of February, A.D. 1922, the same being within ten days after the death of the said testator.
(s) Ignatius T. Fleming.
(s) Leo Fleming.
Nuncupative -
Will proved and admitted to record in open Court, this 24th day of July, A.D. 1923.
(s) Ray Sesler
Acting Probate Judge
STATE OF ILLINOIS, )
) SS
County of Cook. )
In the Probate Court of Cook County, proved and admitted to record in open Court this 24th Day of July, A.D. 1923.
(s) John F. Devine
Clerk.
Filed - February 6th, 1922, John F. Devine, Clerk.
(Note 1): In those days it was not unusual for a Roman Catholic pastor to have one bank account into which he deposited parish funds and his own personal funds. If he needed money to pay a bill or for his personal expenses he withdrew money from the co-mingled funds. This was not illegal, but the pastor was supposed to report any funds he withdrew from the account for personal expenses as Income and pay Income Tax on them. This was still the custom into the 1980s in Chicago where the late John Cardinal Cody deposited his personal funds into the Holy Name Cathedral bank account and withdrew them as needed.
(Note 2): There are two types of priests in the Roman Catholic Church. There are what are called "Order" priests who belong to a Religious Order such as Dominicans, Jesuits, Carmelites, etc. The other type of priest is a "Diocesan" priest who does not belong to an Order, he is an employee of the diocese in which he serves. Order priests typically take vows of Poverty, Chastity and Obedience, so they do not own anything themselves - no money or material possessions. Diocesan priests do not take a vow of Poverty and are permitted to have possessions including a car, cash, securities, etc. Fr. Chodniewicz was a Diocesan priest so he was permitted to own the stock, securities, mortgages or cash he referred to in his will.
So, what happened to Fr. Chodniewicz' confessed killer, Edward Frenenski? First I checked newspapers.com. Other than a report that he had been booked for the killing, there were no further mentions of Edward Frenenski in any of the hundreds of newspapers covered by newspapers.com. Then while working on another article I ran across a reference to a searchable database called "Homicide in Chicago 1870-1930" (http://homicide.northwestern.edu/database/) If you check the database for Florian Chodniewicz here is what you'll find:
DATE OF OFFENSE: JANUARY 27, 1922
Victim Name: Chodniewicz, Rev. F. M.
Defendant Name: Majewski, Charles
Address: 13145 Houston ave.
Case Number: 5858
Case Description: Chodniewicz, Rev. F. M. - Age 60 Fatally shot in his home, 13145 Houston Av., by an unidentified burglar who escaped. 8 Dist.
5/26/22 Charles Majewski arrested
9/21/22 Nolle Prossed - Hayes
On 3/3/24 one Edward Frenenski arrested for Ly and Con Game. He "confessed" this murder but was not booked on that charge.
I was unable to uncover anything more about what (if anything) happened to Edward Frenenski, the confessed murderer of Fr. Chodniewicz.
I was also unable to find out anything further about Frenenski's former girlfriend who turned him in, Mrs. Mary Zimbinski.
Father Florian Chodniewicz - one of thousands of Catholic priests who came from native lands around the world to the great melting pot of the United States to minister to the spiritual needs of the faithful. His life was taken for a purported stash of altar wine by a fellow countryman who hated all Catholic Priests.
May Fr. Chodniewicz rest in peace.
