St. Vincent de Paul Church (Milwaukee) facts for kids
The St. Vincent de Paul Church is a Catholic church in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In Polish, it's called Kościół Świętego Wincentego a Paulo. It's located on Milwaukee's South Side and is known as one of the city's "Polish Cathedrals" because it was built by Polish immigrants.
History of St. Vincent de Paul Church
Building a Community Church
In the mid-1880s, people decided to build a fourth Polish church on Milwaukee's south side. They raised $30,000 to construct a large, two-story brick building. Bernard Kopacki designed this first church. It was finished in 1888 and officially opened by Archbishop Michael Heiss. The church was named after St. Vincent de Paul.
Early Leaders and Challenges
The first priest to serve the church was Father Vincent Lewandowski. He became a priest in 1864 in a place called Poznań. Father Lewandowski was a Polish nationalist, meaning he strongly supported Poland. He had to leave his home country in 1872 and came to America three years later.
In 1894, a serious illness spread, and sadly, nine children from the church school passed away. Father Lewandowski left the church in 1899. He passed away the next year from a heart attack while riding a streetcar.
A New, Bigger Church
Around this time, the church needed a new, larger building. More and more people were joining the parish, and the old church was too small. The community raised $85,000 to build a new "cathedral."
Design and Features of the New Church
The new church was built in a style called Romanesque Revival. It was 66 feet wide and 186 feet long. The church has two tall towers. One tower is 132 feet high, and the other is 195 feet high. Inside the towers are four bells. The biggest bell is 62 inches across and weighs 5,000 pounds.
Famous Members of the Parish
Two important people who served in the U.S. Congress were members of St. Vincent de Paul Church.
John C. Kleczka: First Polish-American in Congress
John C. Kleczka was the first Polish-American person to be elected to Congress. This was a big achievement for the Polish-American community.
Clement J. Zablocki: Long-Serving Congressman
Later, Clement J. Zablocki was also a member. He served Wisconsin's fourth district in Congress for 35 years in a row! Congressman Zablocki was also the church organist and sang in the church choir.
Education at St. Vincent de Paul
The church also had a grade school for its children. Below is a photo of the 8th-grade graduating class from around 1912. One of the students in the picture is Frank E. Gregorski, who later became a judge in Milwaukee County.
