We wish to make it clear that we are not a new Church. We adhere to the One Holy Catholic Church founded by Jesus Christ. Our organizer, Bishop Francis Hodur, wrote in the 1930s: “As a human organization, the Polish National Catholic Church came into existence among the Polish people in emigration in America in 1897, but as a Divine Institution, it existed from its establishment by Jesus Christ in Jerusalem.”

In the 19th century many people immigrated to the United States including Poles, looking for economic, political and religious freedom. They faced persecution, economic struggles, and in their churches they were forced to give up their well established and long held religious traditions. They were seen as “contributors” in their parishes and were given no say over how their sacrifices were used. They stood up and decided to organize a Church that maintained its historic faith while simultaneously being a Church in which each member, had a voice and a vote.

More recently, the denomination has allowed its parishes to designate themselves as the “National Catholic Church” although the legal church title still remains. This term is used on signage and in literature, in order to allow people to know that we are a church of all ethnic backgrounds. (Note – we should not be confused with the National Catholic Church of America.)

The Church’s apostolic succession, orders, and sacraments are recognized by the Roman Catholic and Orthodox Churches.