St. Mary's Polish Church

The church was first opened as a covered basement, but was completed in 1918 in a modified Gothic style, modelled on a Polish church in Quebec. Home of the Pogoria Polish Folk Ensemble and originally the foundation of St. Michael’s Polish Benefit Society before the church was constructed, the Parish Church of the Nativity of St. Mary is provincially registered under the Heritage Property Act, and the only designated site recognizing Polish Nova Scotians. The church was destroyed by fire on November 29, 2014. Plans to rebuild were announced on May 3, 2015.

: St. Mary' Polish Church Print Materials; St. Mary's Polish Church has produced many publications and printed materials throughout its history.

: St. Mary's Polish Church Anniversaries; St. Mary's Polish Parish has celebrated several milestones and major anniversaries.

: St. Mary's Polish Church Building and Architecture; Members from St. Michael's Benefit Society met at the Wojick house on the corner of Jamieson and Brow street (the location of the former Bonneyview Hotel) to plan the building of the church. Renovations on the church began in 2013, which continued through to November 2014, when the church was destroyed by a fire. Plans to rebuild the church were announced on May 3, 2015.

: St. Mary's Polish Church Choir; Under the patronage of St. Cecilia, the choir is directed by Mary Pierrynowski. The members of the choir are ambassadors of their parish. Not only are they part of all parish sacred celebrations and community events, but they also represent the church at special concerts and events. St. Cecilia, martyred around the year 230 in Rome because of her Christian faith, sang to God as she lay dying. She is the patron saint of the St. Mary’s Polish Parish Choir and of church music. It was Father Leo O’Connell who began associating the choir with St. Cecilia. The Choir of St. Mary’s Polish Parish is Cape Breton’s only Polish choir, a “living treasure.” Its repertoire is very extensive and includes hymns that date back hundreds of years. Many visitors to the parish have reported being very moved when hearing the choir sing. The choir’s hymns are carefully chosen for each feast day and time of year. At each Mass there is at least one hymn dedicated to Mary.

: St. Mary's Polish Church Events; A great number of events have been held throughout the history of St. Mary's Polish Parish in the church, its basement, and outdoors next to the church.

: St. Mary's Polish Church Festivals; St. Mary's Polish Parish has celebrated, and continues to celebrate, various festivals during the year at the church.

: St. Mary's Polish Church Website; St. Mary's Polish Parish maintains a comprehensive website at http://www.stmaryspolishchurch.ca/ of which some materials may also be found here within the archive.