Polish Community in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania has one of the largest and most historic Polish-American populations in the United States. Polish immigration to Pennsylvania began in the mid-1800s, with major settlements in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and the anthracite coal mining regions of northeastern Pennsylvania.

Historical Significance

Pennsylvania holds a special place in Polish-American history:

1880 - The Polish National Alliance (PNA) was founded in Philadelphia on February 15, 1880, under the influence of Polish patriot Agaton Giller
Alliance College was established in Cambridge Springs, Pennsylvania, to educate children of Polish immigrants
By 1925, the PNA had 220,000 members nationwide and published Zgoda (Harmony), a daily newspaper

Philadelphia Area

Major Organizations

Polish American Cultural Center Museum

Location: 308 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106

Located in Philadelphia’s historic district, this museum preserves Polish-American history and heritage. The center offers:

Museum exhibits on Polish-American history
Polish language classes
Cultural events and programs
Educational workshops

Polish Heritage Society of Philadelphia

Dedicated to preserving and promoting Polish culture in the Philadelphia region.

Thaddeus Kosciusko House

Location: Third and Pine Streets, Philadelphia

Historic site honoring General Thaddeus Kościuszko, Polish military leader who fought in the American Revolution.

Polish National Alliance - District VI

By the 1970s, PNA District VI had seventy-four lodges covering:

Delaware
Southern New Jersey
Southeastern Pennsylvania
Maryland
Washington, D.C.

Polish Churches in Philadelphia

Many historic Polish Catholic parishes still serve the community:

St. Laurentius Church - Fishtown
St. Adalbert’s Church
St. Josaphat’s Church
Holy Name of Jesus Church - Port Richmond

These churches often offer Polish-language masses and maintain strong cultural ties.

Pittsburgh Area

Organizations

Polish Falcons of America

Headquarters: Green Tree Borough (Pittsburgh suburb) Wikipedia: Polish Falcons

A major Polish fraternal organization promoting physical fitness, cultural awareness, and community service. The organization maintains lodges throughout western Pennsylvania.

Polish Arts League of Pittsburgh

Promotes Polish arts, culture, and heritage through events and educational programs.

Polish National Alliance Groups

Numerous PNA lodges were established in Pittsburgh-area communities:

Braddock - Active Polish Falcons and PNA organizations (1899-1967)
Monaca - PNA Group 841
Ambridge - Polish community organizations
Homestead - Polish workers’ organizations

Historic Polish Neighborhoods

Pittsburgh’s Polish communities developed in industrial areas:

South Side - Historic Polish settlement
Strip District - Polish businesses and churches
Lawrenceville - Polish community
Hazelwood - Polish parish
West Mifflin - Polish organizations

Churches in Pittsburgh Area

Immaculate Heart of Mary - Polish Hill
St. Stanislaus Kostka - Strip District
Ss. Peter and Paul - Braddock

Coal Region (Northeastern Pennsylvania)

The anthracite coal region has deep Polish roots:

Major Towns with Polish Heritage

Scranton - Large Polish population
Wilkes-Barre - Polish community organizations
Nanticoke - Heavily Polish town
Shenandoah - Polish mining community
Hazleton - Significant Polish presence
Plymouth - Polish heritage
Pittston - Polish community

Organizations

Polish parishes in most coal region towns
PNA lodges throughout the region
Polish Falcons groups
Cultural organizations preserving mining heritage

Doylestown Area

National Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa

Location: 654 Ferry Road, Doylestown, PA 18901

America’s oldest and most prominent Polish shrine:

Polish-language masses
Annual Polish American Festival
Pilgrimage site for Polish Catholics
Cultural and religious events
Museum and gift shop

Other Pennsylvania Communities

Smaller Polish Communities

Allentown/Bethlehem - Polish organizations and churches
Reading - Polish heritage
Harrisburg - Polish community
Erie - Polish presence in northwestern PA
York - Polish organizations
Chester - Historic Polish community

State-Wide Organizations

Polish National Alliance Groups

Pennsylvania has one of the highest concentrations of PNA lodges in the United States, with groups in:

Philadelphia region
Pittsburgh region
Coal region
Erie
Allentown-Bethlehem

Polish Falcons of America

Headquartered in Pittsburgh area with lodges throughout the state.

Educational Institutions

Alliance College (Historic)

Location: Cambridge Springs, Pennsylvania Established by the Polish National Alliance to educate Polish-American youth. Though no longer operating, it played a crucial role in Polish-American education.

Current Polish Language Programs

Saturday Polish schools in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and other cities
Polish language programs at universities
Parish-based Polish language instruction

Cultural Events

Annual Celebrations

Pulaski Day celebrations in October
Polish Constitution Day (May 3)
Dyngus Day celebrations (Easter Monday)
Polish festivals throughout the summer
Our Lady of Czestochowa festivals and pilgrimages

Polish Media

Historical Publications

Zgoda (Harmony) - PNA daily newspaper (historical)
Various local Polish-language newspapers

Current Media

Polish-language radio programs
Polish community newsletters
Online Polish community resources

Resources

Connect with Polish Communities in Other States

Nearby States:

New Jersey - Strong communities in Passaic and Bergen counties
New York - NYC, Buffalo, and across the state
Ohio - Cleveland, Toledo, and Youngstown
Maryland - Baltimore area
Delaware - Wilmington area

Other Major Polish Communities:

Illinois - Chicago’s massive Polish population
Michigan - Detroit and Hamtramck
Wisconsin - Milwaukee area
Massachusetts - Boston and Western Mass

Back to all states

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