Prior to the founding of a national parish on Staten Island, most members of the Polish Catholic community continued to attend the Church of St. Stanislaus Bishop and Martyr Church (New York City) in the East Village, Manhattan in Manhattan.

Efforts to organize for the purpose of establishing a Polish parish on Staten Island were initially hampered by a failure to agree on where to situate a church to serve the widely scattered community.

The matter was effectively resolved when John Mojecki donated land in Port Richmond.

[1] Parishioners chose the name of the parish, and the Polish Roman Catholic Church of St. Adalbert, B. M. was incorporated in June 1901.

Michael Slupek was appointed the first pastor and celebrated Mass for in St. Mary's parish hall.