Polish Americans      I. Historical Perspective          A. Country of Origin -- Poland B. Language(s) -- Polish

C. Religious Background - Poland was but little affected by the Reformation of the sixteenth century.  Hence, the Catholic medieval spirit is still that of the Poles.

1. Southern Baptist Work - The history of the first Polish Baptist church in America is also the history of the Polish Baptist church in Buffalo, NY. As early as 1890, services were being celebrated in Buffalo, led by Jozef Antoszewski at Reid Memorial Church. As part of a German congregation, this group of Poles organized their own church in 1894. Antoszewski led the small congregation for about ten years, succeeded by Piotr Morawski. Under the ministry of Ludwik Adamus, a brick building was built to house the Church of Our Savior-Polish Baptist Church. This house of worship was dedicated on July 15, 1907. Wladysalw Chrzanowski served the church for 13 years, the longest of all its pastors. Although not affiliated with the Church of Our Savior, Mikolaj Sylwesiuk, pastor of the Evangelical Baptist Church in Buffalo, New York, began a Polish-language, Baptist radio program in 1960.

2. Subcultures - There are subcultures within the Polish culture, but the differences are insignificant in relation to the strategy of reaching out with the gospel.

3. Past Challenges - In the past, most Polish immigrants were peasants.  They were not exposed to the wider religious experiences that other nationalities had, making it hard for them to accept any other religious views.

4. Past Immigration Patterns - The Polish Revolution of 1830 brought to the United States a considerable and abiding contingent of Poles, mostly soldiers and members of lower nobility. The immigration of the Polish masses began in 1854. In 1851, Leopold Moczygemba, a Franciscan, came to America.  Soon after, he induced nearly 100 families from Upper Silesia to come to Texas. They first came by sailing vessels to Galveston, bringing all their possessions, tools, and ploughs.  Indeed, even the bell and great cross in the village church were brought to the New World. In 1855, the first Polish church in America was built in Panna Maria, Texas.

 II. Current/Future Challenges

A. Population - Today's Polish-American community numbers over 9 million, ranking as the ninth largest ancestry group, or 3.8 percent of the population.

B. Present Immigration Patterns - According to the 1990 Census, there has been an increase of more than 1.1 million Polish between 1980 and1990. There are seven states where the Polish population numbers over 500,000.  There are an additional ten states with a Polish population over 100,000. The Polish population is distributed as follows: 37 percent in the Northeast, 37 percent in the Midwest, 15 percent in the South, and 11 percent in the West.

C. Evangelism - Personal evangelism is the best method of evangelism in the Polish community of North America. Genuine concern for the individual and the family has to be displayed. Mass evangelism must be done through well-prepared, revival-type services in established evangelical churches -- this also includes personal touch through friendship, personal invitation, and family visits.

D. Church Planting - The Polish Baptist Association in the USA and Canada is a fellowship of over 700 baptized members who are organized in ten churches and missions, with the largest church in Chicago. For many years, Frank Wloch of Nesconcet, New York, served the association. Other metropolitan areas with Polish Baptist churches are Minneapolis, New York, Philadelphia, and Toronto. It is estimated that over 4,000 Baptist believers of Polish ancestry are members of different Anglo churches. There is a great need for planting many new churches in the community. Please pray that the existing churches will continue to grow and that many new churches will be planted in Polish communities throughout the United States and Canada.

E. Family Life
         1. Education - Most Polish immigrants are well-educated and well-read. Professionals, such as engineers and medical doctors, can be found in all Polish communities of North America.
         2. Occupation - Almost all professions have people of Polish ancestry.

III. Resources