Board of Directors and Committees ... 2007 Annual Report
PHSR / Membership Skalny Welcome Center St. John Fisher College 3690 East Avenue Rochester, NY 14618
Witaj! Welcome!
The Polish Heritage Society of Rochester is a nonprofit organization established in 1919. Our mission is the promotion of our rich Polish culture, customs and traditions, and the preservation of the uniqueness of our Polish American legacy. Through public programs, events, and charitable donations, we express our pride in Polish heritage and work to broaden awareness of the contributions made by Polish Americans in the greater Rochester area.
PHSR traces its roots to the Rochester Polish People's Home, Inc., Polski Dom Ludowy, an organization founded in 1919 by a group of Rochester's early Polish settlers. These immigrant families dreamed of creating their own gathering place, one free of political or religious pressures, where they could meet in friendship, bring their children, and organize community events.
PHSR preserves and promotes Polish Heritage by producing and sponsoring lectures, presentations, art workshops and exhibits, musical performances, and scholarships for senior high school students, including a new summer program of Polish Language and Culture at Torun University, 'UMK.' Our year culminates with Wigilia, the traditional Polish Christmas Dinner. PHSR is a member of: the Kosciuszko Foundation, the Polish American Congress, and the American Council for Polish Culture.
Rochester Polonia: Click on images to enlarge them.
Rochester's earliest Polish-American neighborhood grew on Hudson Avenue in the 1880's. A large concentration of Polish immigrants lived and worked in what became known as Polish Town.
The traditional center of Rochester Polonia is St. Stanislaus Roman Catholic Church, affectionately known as St. Stan's. The first St. Stanislaus Church wooden structure was built in 1890. A major restoration was completed in 2004.
The second, more grandiose brick structure was completed in 1909.
St. Casimir's Polish National Catholic Church, was built in 1908. The new church in Irondequoit is pictured, along with the cemetery on Hudson Avenue.
A large number of homes, shops, and businesses sprung up nearby as many Polish immigrants moved into the area.
Modern view of Hudson Ave. Typical Polish Town home.
Soon there were groceries, hardware stores, barbers, saloons, a Dom Polski, a bowling alley, a library, a Polish Falcons Hall, a movie theater, and doctors' offices all along Hudson catering to the Polish residents.
European deli and Polish credit union Felerski's Funeral Home
The area was actively known as "Polish Town" for some generations, and was the site of many weddings and funerals even into the 1960s as the suburban migration continued.
Andy's Candies Four Brothers Tavern
Family events often included a trip to Andy Sykut's candy store for ice cream.
Polish American Citizen Club Polska Chata deli
The suburban migration took its toll, but Polish residents and businesses still make their home in Polish Town.
Former Dom Polski Former Echo Singing Society
Hancock's Tavern (formerly Green's) Former Polish Falcon's Hall
Former St. Theresa's Church Former Wojcztak's Bakery
Pictured is Pulaski Park, named for one of many famous Polish-Americans. Though no longer centralized along Hudson Avenue, Rochester Polonia is a vibrant community with many organizations, such as the Polish Heritage Society of Rochester, sponsoring events and activities throughout the year.