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The Polish Roman Catholic
Union of America (PRCUA), headquartered in Chicago, IL, is the mother of
Polish American fraternals. Established in 1873 by Rev. Teodor Gieryk and
Rev. Wincenty Barzynski, C.R., it has grown into the largest Polish Roman
Catholic fraternal benefit society in the United States. In its early years,
the PRCUA pioneered social programs to assist its members financially by
collecting donations for widows, orphans and the needy. It also raised funds
to build an orphanage and a hospital.
In 1886, an insurance
system was adopted and membership increased. The PRCUA donated large sums of
money to build many churches and schools in the Polish American community,
especially in Chicago, Detroit and Buffalo. That same year, the PRCUA
established its own weekly publication, which underwent several name
changes, and has continued as Narod Polski since 1897. The PRCUA urged
members to blend the best of their Polish culture and their deep religious
faith with their newly-acquired American ideals to create a Polish American
community based upon their dedication “To God and Country,” which became the
organization’s motto.
In 1897, the PRCUA led the
way among fraternal organizations when it granted equal rights to women,
over two decades prior to the 19th Amendment that gave American women the
right to vote. By 1902, membership had reached 19,000 and was growing
rapidly. In response to this expansion, in 1913, the organization built its
headquarters at Milwaukee Avenue and Augusta Boulevard in Chicago - the same
building that it occupies today. At that time, the PRCUA also opened a
library in its new building, which currently houses one of the largest
collections of Polish books in the United States of America.
In 1935, the PRCUA - under
the leadership of President Joseph Kania - founded the first ethnic museum
and archives in America, which has become a priceless treasury of artifacts
from Poland and Polonia, known today as The Polish Museum of America. The
Museum, housed on the third floor of the PRCUA headquarters, not only
preserves the Polish past in America, but also promotes Polish culture
through traveling exhibits, concerts, folk art workshops, etc.
The PRCUA has continued to
promote camaraderie among its members by sponsoring national sports
tournaments, social events and youth programs, including 25 Polish language
and dance schools in six states, where close to 2,000 children are taught
Polish language, folk dances, songs, culture, history and traditions. It
also sponsors teen programs, such as the annual Cinderella-Prince Charming
Ball and the Michigan State Ball. The PRCUA has a 128-year legacy of
supporting charitable endeavors. During WW II, members sent food, medical
supplies and ambulances to Polish refugees. During martial law in the 1980s,
the PRCUA raised funds to purchase five ambulances that were sent to Poland.
The organization continues to support charitable causes, such as its annual
donations to Polish seminarians at the Orchard Lake Schools in Michigan.
The PRCUA is currently
licensed to sell life insurance in 24 states. In addition to offering
low-cost life insurance programs to its members, it also makes low-interest
home mortgages, college loans and educational scholarships available to its
members.
This fraternal organization
of nearly 70,000 members enjoys financial stability and looks forward to a
bright future, created by 128 years of effectively serving the needs of its
members and the Polish American community.
Kathryn
G. Rosypal |
