The Early Years
1873 — 1899
The Polish Roman Catholic Union of America is founded at St. Albertus Parish in Detroit, Michigan as the Union of Polish Catholics, a merger of Jan Barzyński’s Organization of Poles in America in concert with clergy/laity who respond to Rev. Gieryk’s appeal to form a unified Polish community in America. Rev. Wincenty Barzyński, Jan’s brother, and Piotr Kiołbassa, both highly respected and trustworthy leaders, are also driving forces behind the establishment of the PRCUA. Fr. Teodor Gieryk is elected the first president and Jan Barzyński is elected secretary. A year later, the second Convention, held in Chicago with 32 delegates from ten states, changes the name of the organization to Polish Roman Catholic Union of America.
