Imagine yourself standing in front of Saint Bronislava Catholic Church. It’s a beautiful example of the architecture of the early 20th century, and its story is quite remarkable. Founded in 1928 as a relief for the growing Polish community, the church was established to ease overcrowding at the Immaculate Conception parish. The Polish community was booming in South Chicago, and by 1925, schools at St. Michael, St. Mary Magdalene, and Immaculate Conception had a combined enrollment of over 4,000 children.
While Cardinal Mundelein was acquainted with the Conventual Franciscan Fathers, he contacted Rev. Felix Baran to organize a national parish in Chicago. Father Baran, a former pastor in Elmhurst, Long Island, was appointed to the project. On a snowy December day in 1927, negotiations for the church’s land were finalized, and the newly appointed pastor, Rev. Cyril Kita, arrived in Chicago just days later.
The church’s construction was a testament to the community’s dedication. The cornerstone was laid on July 4, 1928, and the combination church-school building was finished the following year. The Felician Sisters opened the parish school in September 1928, welcoming over 500 eager students. Cardinal Mundelein dedicated Saint Bronislava Church on June 16, 1929, and the parish has continued to serve the community ever since. Today, Saint Bronislava is a vibrant, welcoming place where people of all backgrounds come together to celebrate their faith. The church serves as a constant reminder of both the struggles and the triumphs of the Polish community in Chicago, and its story is one of resilience, faith, and community.