Alexander Fijalkowski, pastor of St. Mary's church, New York Mills, New York, was born in Dobrzyan, Poland, on March 24, 1883, the sixth child of four sons and three daughters born to Stanislaus and Constantia (Konderska) Fijalkowski. His parents were natives of Poland and spent their lives in that country, the father being an alderman of his home city for many years. He died in August, 1922. The mother was killed on September 10, 1914, during the World war.
Alexander Fijalkowski was educated in the public and High School in Poland, then entered the Gym or State College for two years. After coming to America he studied philosophy and theology at St. Bernard's Seminary, Rochester, New York, and was ordained as priest on June 10, 1910. Father Fijalkowski was first assigned to the Church of the Sacred Heart in Syracuse, New York, as assistant pastor, then to St. Mary's church at New York Mills, in October, 1911. On his arrival he found a very small settlement of his people, but the parish now numbers about two thousand Polish people in this section and has a large congregation. He has been very active in the development of the parish and has built a new residence, school and Sisters' Convent, which are finely located on a hill overlooking the valley, the grounds covering about fifteen acres.
Father Fijalkowski is a member of the Polish National Alliance of America and the Polish Roman Catholic Alliance of America. During the World war he made many speeches in the interest of the Liberty Loan and Red Cross work. For diversion he enjoys motoring, fishing and hunting. Father Fijalkowski has ever been most loyal to the ties of friendship and citizenship and the record of his work well deserves a place in the annals of his adopted state.