Jozef Ciesla was born February 11, 1875 in the rural village of Rozdzin, Slask. He first studied in local schools before attending a private high school for boys in Bytom. Ciesla’s theological studies were begun in Paris, France and continued at the seminary in Montifiascone, Italy. It was here that he was ordained to the priesthood on August 15, 1904 by the well-known theologian, Bishop Rinaldo. His parents were present when Ciesla celebrated his first Mass in his native parish. He remained in the area to visit with them for a time before departing for the United States.

Ciesla was first assigned (in 1904) to a Polish parish in La Salle, IL. After two years there, he made his way to Buffalo, NY where he served as assistant to Ks. Jan Pitass until 1909. In 1910, he was appointed pastor of a Polish parish, Sts. Peter and Paul, in rural Spring Valley, IL and remained there until poor health forced him to take a leave of absence. He died in September 1924 while visiting Poland.