Holy Saviour National Catholic Church, located right next to the Prospect School, has stood in its current location…More since 1957. The church holds the distinction in Naugatuck of being part of the Polish National Catholic Church, which is a Catholic and Apostolic institution - one that is not in communion with the much larger Roman Catholic Church. The PNCC does not recognize the primacy of the pope, although dialogue exists between the two churches.</p> <p>Under the ministry of Rev. Pawel Dudek, the Church partakes in several local charities, including the Ecumenical Food Bank and the Harvest Moon Festival. It also hosts a number of events, including a healing service, "Taste of Poland," among others.</p>

In 1860, a small community of Irish Catholics banded together to form a parish in Naugatuck. It took some time…More thereafter, but in 1890, these Catholics succeeded in building their own church, St. Francis of Assisi Church, which stands to this day at 318 Church St.</p> <p>Around 2,300 families are members of the church, and Sunday attendance stands at 180 to 200 per Mass. St. Francis has many programs for its parishioners and is active in the community. The church hosts a Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults program, which allows adults to become Catholics, and holds many other programs including an adult ministry, a youth group and a Legion of Mary. The church partakes in local charities such as, Habitat for Humanity and donates to the Ecumenical Food Bank.</p> <p>The church has a Parish Council which oversees matters relating to the parish. The current pastor is Rev. Michael J. Slusz. He can be reached by e-mail at stf_pastor@sbcglobal.net.</p>

Formerly two schools, St. Francis - St. Hedwig School is now a Catholic educational institution in Naugatuck. The…More school aims to blend the traditions of each of its schools into one strong, effective, Catholic institution with its goal to further enrich its students to become people that put their Catholic faith and beliefs into action and positively influence the world around them.</p> <p>The St. Francis of Assisi School was established in 1897 as a Catholic school to meet the needs of the large number of immigrants settling in the Naugatuck valley. The St. Hedwig School opened in 1914 as a four-room school with an enrollment of 200 students. In January 1992, the St. Hedwig School, under the direction of its pastor, Reverend Joseph Parzymies, began a consolidation process with St. Francis School. </p> <p>Initially, St. Hedwig School would offer a Pre-Kindergarten through 5th grade program, and each year sent its 6th grade students to St. Francis School. In September 1992, St. Hedwig School began a Pre-Kindergarten program for 3 and 4 year olds, and an all day Kindergarten program, and continued regular education programs for grades 1 through 5. In 1995, plans for expanding St. Hedwig School back to eighth grade began.</p>