The formally organized
Polish community made-up of the first Polish settlers of Kingston
began on December 5, 1940 with the call to being of the National
Polish Association. At that time Poles numbered approximately
30.
From the year 1946 a new wave of Polish immigrants
settled in Kingston made-up, in large part, of members of the
Polish Army mainly from the Polish Second Army Corps in Italy.
A major success of the first immigrants was
the opening of the Polish Hall on the 6th of February,
1948.
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Shortly afterwards a number of organizations were formed associating
themselves with the hall namely: a Polish School, a Polish Woman's
Club, an Amateur Theatre, Scouts and the Folklore Dance Troup.
In the newly build Hall, the Poles celebrated many patriotic
and religious occasions namely: May 3, November 11, St. Nicholas'
day for Kids, Christmas and Easter dinners with traditional
Polish dishes. During those years, the care for the spiritual
wellbeing of the community rested with the Oblate Fathers and
Priests from the Dioceses. Up to 1948, a Polish Priest would
journey from Montreal and celebrate Holy Mass at the church
of St. John. |
