Franciszek Ciszek was born in Czarny Dunajec, Galicja (Austrian-held territory) in 1843. He was ordained a Capuchin in 1873 and became the order’s guardian at the Krakow province house.

After having arrived in the United States in 1882, Ciszek spent some time in New York City. He subsequently traveled to Chicago where he became an assistant at St. Stanislaus Parish. From December 1883 to July 1884, he served as vicar to St. Stanislaus Parish in Buffalo, NY. He then left to direct the newly formed parish of St. Adalbert in Pittsburgh, PA.

The following April, Ciszek was appointed pastor of St. Hyacinth Parish in Dunkirk, NY. Under his care, the parish had seen several improvements: the church and rectory received new roofing; the interior of the church was painted; stained glass windows were purchased and installed in the church; and religious garb and a monstrance were purchased. In 1886, he joined the large delegation that traveled from Dunkirk to Buffalo for the very festive yet solemn occasion of the blessing of the newly completed St. Stanislaus Church on Peckham Street.

The simple act of incorporating St. Hyacinth Parish as a religious organization with the state in January 1887 stirred up a controversy in the growing parish. Some of the parishioners, breaking away from their pastor’s leadership, elected their own trustees for the parish. This resulted in the bishop sending his secretary to Dunkirk to address the congregation since the latter’s attempt at peace-making proved futile, the bishop instructed Ciszek to leave the treasury in the hands of the above-mentioned trustees.

Resigning his post as pastor of St. Hyacinth Parish in February 1887 because of failing health, Ciszek returned to Buffalo’s St. Stanislaus Parish where he served as assistant to Ks. Jan Pitass. He died in the rectory April 28, 1888 at the age of 45.

Ks. Ciszek’s funeral was very elaborate and attended by many priests of the diocese as well as the Polish-American community. Among those paying their respects were: Bishop Ryan of Buffalo; Rev. B. Gramlewicz of Nanticoke, PA; Rev. A. Ignasiak of Erie, PA; Rev. W. Miskiewicz of Pittsburgh, PA; Revs. A Kozlowski and L. Moczygeba of Chicage; Rev. B. Bronikowski of Detroit; and Rev. W. Zareczny of Dunkirk. Ks. Ciszek’s remains were laid to rest in the French and German cemetery on Pine Ridge Road in Cheektowaga, NY.