Memories of Msgr. Arthur B. Strenski

From Saint Joseph Parish

A great-nephew of a legendary Polish pastor made a nostalgic visit recently to Saint Joseph’s Church in South Camden.

David R. Wall, a retired lawyer from North Jersey, came with a collection of photographs and news stories from the life of Msgr. Arthur B. Strenski, who shepherded the parish for more than three decades.

Wall, 71, had not been to the church since his great-uncle’s funeral in 1980. This time, he was honoring Saint Joseph’s on its 125th anniversary, which will be celebrated Oct. 22.

The memorabilia had been saved by Msgr. Strenski, then passed down to Wall’s late father, Emil. Wall decided to give some items to Saint Joseph’s History Society. A special keepsake — Monsignor’s ruby ring — was shown to parishioners who greeted Wall, but will remain in the family.

Father Krzysztof Wtorek, parish administrator, was among those admiring the ring.

“We treasure the spirit of Msgr. Strenski in upkeeping this parish and this historic church. We are committed to continuing in his spirit to keep the church for the people of Polish background,” he said.

Msgr. Strenski became pastor of Saint Joseph’s in 1934. After retiring in 1967, he continued to reside in the parish rectory as pastor emeritus. He died eight months short of his 100th birthday.

Wall, who was born in 1946, recalled accompanying his father to see “Uncle Arthur.” On his latest visit he paused in front of a tall, marble font in the church vestibule, saying, “I remember the angel.”

When he sat down in a pew, he looked from one side to the other. “The stained-glass windows are truly exceptional. I am on the Tenafly Historic Preservation Commission and I can fully appreciate this church,” he said.

Saint Joseph’s, with its baroque architecture, is listed on the New Jersey and National Registers of Historic Places.

At the side altar enshrining a first-class relic of Saint John Paul II, Wall posed for a photo near the shining glass case. The relic was brought into the church in October 2010, on the 120th anniversary of the parish.

Wall also posed with a portrait of Monsignor, showing the family resemblance. The similarity was evident, as well, in a family photo that included Amelia Szumska, Monsignor’s niece, who taught at the former Saint Joseph’s High School in the 1960s.

In his youth, Wall felt drawn to the priesthood. He spent three high school years in minor seminary, a year in college-level studies and a year of novitiate with the Carmelites. But he followed a different path and married his Irish-born wife, Kathleen, in 1978. They named their son Patrick.

“Monsignor came to my wedding reception. He arrived in a limo with his driver,” Wall said.

Two of his sisters, Patricia and Gloria, entered religious life, both joining the congregation of Saint Joseph of Peace. His third sister, Helen, is married and living in Alaska. Twin brother, Douglas, is married and retired from a career in marketing.

At Saint Joseph’s, Wall was guest of honor at a luncheon hosted by the History Society in the parish hall. He then traveled to the parish cemetery founded by Monsignor in Chews Landing to visit four family graves.

The first stop was at the Priests’ Circle, where Msgr. Strenski and his brother, Msgr. Emil Strenski (1878-1956), are buried. The next stop was Angel Circle, where Monsignor’s mother, Antoinette (1843-1924), and his sister, Olga (1883-1967), are buried. Olga S. Wall was David Wall’s grandmother.