Polish National Alliance  

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1. South Bend Tribune Article 1953

2. PNA Lodge 2005

3. Another View of the Exterior

100 Year Aniversary 1987

 The Polish National Alliance, Star of Victory Society 83 was formed in February of 1887. The Alliance as it is called around the West Side, which was established by early settlers in South Bend, was formed shortly after the National headquarters came into being in 1880. The National Headquarters was in Chicago. Back in 1887, the early purposes of the organization were to promote the independence of Poland through financial support and preserve the heritage of Polish immigrants in this area.

The life insurance provided by the Alliance for the immigrants was important to newly arrived factory workers and farmers. Jerome Torzewski, general chairman for the celebration, said most immigrants didn’t trust anyone but a fellow Pole in those days and wouldn’t buy insurance from anyone else.

 Often someone from the national organization would come to the home to sell and explain the insurance, which made them (the local families) feel important. Although the death benefit was not large, it was enough to provide for a dignified burial. The premium may have been a small as a dime or quarter per month.

According to the group’s written history, Frank Gorka, Simon Palicki, Andrew Przybylinski, Theoredore Wattach, Joseph Wozniak, Clement Gorazewski, Andrew Rajter and Albert Lichnerowicz convened in the Gorka home Feburary 27, 1887, and established the Star of Victory Society.

The first president was Simon Palicki. A total of $16.45 was collected in iniation fees and monthly dues at the first meeting. Two weeks later on March 14, the group received confirmation from the national organization in Bay City, MI.

The local group meet for 48 years without a headquarters, meeting in members homes and local taverns. By 1939, the organization had nearly 200 members and could no longer be accommodated in homes and taverns, so on July 21 of 1939 it began renting a building at 1902 Western Ave, which was once a grocery store.

The group had tried to buy the Western Ave location but the owner declined to sell the building.

 In July 1949 the lodge purchaced a trucking warehouse and an acre of land on the northwest cornor of Western andOlive streetsfor $55,000. The building was the former horse barn for the Singer Factory, nearbyon Western Ave.

Remodeling of the second floor for the Alliance was completed by February 1953 at a cost of $45,000. The building, now a landmark on the West Side, has been remodeled and enlarged several times. In 1956, the PNA added a southern wing at a cost of $15,000 and in 1957 the second floor was refreshed for a cost of $3,000.

The familiar light exterior was modernized in 1961. Twelve bowling lanes were built to the north of the existing building and club rooms were added on the first and second floor in 1966.

The building was damaged, during a wind and ice storm in 1971. Six feet of the east wall crumbled after the heavy storm. After completion of repairs, the exterior of the clubrooms was further restored in 1973.

The PNA has remained active in the community, participating in Memorial Day Parades and a number of member sports activities such as golf, bowling, softball and a fishermens club.

The organization is a contributor to Alliance College , operated by the national organization at Cambridge Springs PA, near Erie.

The 100 year old lodge takes pride in its involvement in recent years with fund raising for the Muscular Dystrophy campaign in the late summer.

The current membership (1987) is nearly 1000 strong. The members are planning further changes in the club rooms and kitchen facilities , the lodge has remained a social center to members.

Source:

South Bend Tribune

Michiana Magizine

February 8, 1987

Kathy Borlik

Staff Reporter

Information Submitted by: Jim Piechorowski and John Kovatch

Project started: Sunday, September 4, 2005, 09:45:15 AM

Project Updated: Monday, September 05, 2005 07:35:51 AM

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