Piotr Szulca was born September 8, 1866 in Zamkowa Gora (Prussian-occupied Poland). Having begun his education in Pelpin, he went on to continue his studies in Lille, France. He was ordained there in 1892 and later became a professor of philosophy at the famed Lille University (a position he held for ten years).

Szulca joined his family living in the Buffalo area about 1901/1902 and was first appointed to Holy Trinity Parish in Niagara Falls, NY. Because of his unique abilities, the Biship made him pastor of a parish in the process of being organized in North Tonawanda, NY – Our Lady of Czestochowa. He remained there only a few months before asking to be transferred. His request was granted and he was reassigned as pastor of the new St. Hedwig Parish in Dunkirk, NY. While there, Szulca was successful in having the first parish church built.

His last assignment had him organizing a new parish for the Poles in Lackawanna, NY – St. Barbara. He was responsible for building the first combination church/school there in 1904 and is credited with petitioning the Felician nuns to staff the new school. It was during his tenure at St. Barbara Parish that Szulca died in May 1906.