Photo Gallery

Vintage Photos of Bremond Texas

by James Smock on October 22, 2011

Vintage Photos of Bremond Texas
Including Other Areas of Robertson and Falls County

Click on small thumbnail photos below to enlarge. Click on the

icon in the photo caption to see an individuals family history in our genealogy database.

B.S. Kotch Saloon 1896 2 seated unknown, ? Strugula behind the bar, center table; V. T. Kotch , ? Strugula, Joe Polka, Standing to right; Bill Kotch, John Kismarowski. Photo courtesy of Al "Winky" Knapik B.S. Kotch Saloon 1896 2 seated unknown, ? Strugula behind the bar, center table; V. T. Kotch , ? Strugula, Joe Polka, Standing to right; Bill Kotch, John Kismarowski. Photo courtesy of Al "Winky" Knapik	V. T. Kotch Grocery Store Jan 31, 1949 Vick and Ethel Kotch behind the counter, Standing: Nester Derrick, Frank Dronek, Dee Pruitt, O. Westbrook, Mrs. Steve Barens Photo courtesy of Al "Winky" Knapik V. T. Kotch Grocery Store Jan 31, 1949 Vick and Ethel Kotch behind the counter, Standing: Nester Derrick, Frank Dronek, Dee Pruitt, O. Westbrook, Mrs. Steve Barens Photo courtesy of Al "Winky" Knapik	V. T. Kotch Grocery Store Jan 25, 1937 Mrs. V. T. Kotch and Victor Kotch behind counter and Foley ? and John S. Hablinski standing. Photo courtesy of Al "Winky" Knapik V. T. Kotch Grocery Store Jan 25, 1937 Mrs. V. T. Kotch and Victor Kotch behind counter and Foley ? and John S. Hablinski standing. Photo courtesy of Al "Winky" Knapik
Bremond High School Built in 1903. replaced in 1924 Photo courtesy of Al "Winky" Knapik Bremond High School Built in 1903. replaced in 1924 Photo courtesy of Al "Winky" Knapik	V. T. Kotch Saloon Dec 27, 1896 Main at Jack Street Bremond, Texas Left to right; Frank Strugala standing behind bar, Mr. Delenger standing at bar, Bruno Kotch standing in rear, seated; V. T. Kotch, Sr. , unknown, Louis Kotch , Joe Polka, Billy Kotch . Photo courtesy of Wanda Kotch V. T. Kotch Saloon Dec 27, 1896 Main at Jack Street Bremond, Texas Left to right; Frank Strugala standing behind bar, Mr. Delenger standing at bar, Bruno Kotch standing in rear, seated; V. T. Kotch, Sr. , unknown, Louis Kotch , Joe Polka, Billy Kotch . Photo courtesy of Wanda Kotch	Polish National Alliance Group 128 May 3, 1896 – Polish Constitution Day Bremond, Texas Photo courtesy of Wanda Kotch Polish National Alliance Group 128 May 3, 1896 – Polish Constitution Day Bremond, Texas Photo courtesy of Wanda Kotch
Polish National Alliance Group 128 1899 Bremond, Texas Photo courtesy of Wanda Kotch Polish National Alliance Group 128 1899 Bremond, Texas Photo courtesy of Wanda Kotch	Polish National Alliance Bremond, Texas Names on back, not sure of order; John Klotz , Ike Baranski, Stash Bartkowiak, John Zann, Joe Wozniak, ? Zadlowski, Louis Kotch , Frank Strugala , V. T. Kotch, Sr. , John Kubicki, Andrew Strugala , Mike Glowski, Pete Gurski, William Rodzikowski, Frank Majewski, Lige Bartula . Photo courtesy of Wanda Kotch Polish National Alliance Bremond, Texas Names on back, not sure of order; John Klotz , Ike Baranski, Stash Bartkowiak, John Zann, Joe Wozniak, ? Zadlowski, Louis Kotch , Frank Strugala , V. T. Kotch, Sr. , John Kubicki, Andrew Strugala , Mike Glowski, Pete Gurski, William Rodzikowski, Frank Majewski, Lige Bartula . Photo courtesy of Wanda Kotch	Original Wooden Church In Bremond Photo courtesy of Fr. Celso Yu Original Wooden Church In Bremond Photo courtesy of Fr. Celso Yu
25th Anniversary of Holy Name of Jesus Society 1913 Bremond, Texas Fr. Ignatius Szymanski in center Photo courtesy of Ron Wendt 25th Anniversary of Holy Name of Jesus Society 1913 Bremond, Texas Fr. Ignatius Szymanski in center Photo courtesy of Ron Wendt	Fr. Ignatius Szymanski March 1941 Bremond, Texas Photo courtesy of Ron Wendt Fr. Ignatius Szymanski March 1941 Bremond, Texas Photo courtesy of Ron Wendt	Henry Syzdek – builder of John Bielomowicz store 1931 Bremond, Texas Photo courtesy of Ron Wendt Henry Syzdek – builder of John Bielomowicz store 1931 Bremond, Texas Photo courtesy of Ron Wendt
Henry Syzdek and crew builing John Bielomowicz store 1931 Bremond, Texas Photo courtesy of Ron Wendt Henry Syzdek and crew builing John Bielomowicz store 1931 Bremond, Texas Photo courtesy of Ron Wendt

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Beautiful Polish Churches In Texas

by James Smock on May 20, 2011

in Photo Gallery,Texas Polish Churches

Photos and Descriptions of the Polish Catholic Churches In Texas

The Catholic Church was and still is an important part of the Polish immigrants life. This page pays tribute to the churches in Texas that were primarily built by Polish immigrants and other churches where there was a strong Polish influence in the congregation.

Click on small thumbnail photos below to enlarge the photo.

St. Joseph Catholic Church
New Waverly, Texas

St. Joseph parish was born in 1870, but a church was not built until 1876. In the intervening years Masses were offered in private homes. In 1897, a second church was built, making a school out of the old church. The size of the church was about 40 by 68 feet with 12 foot high walls. The main alter was given to the new St.Joseph’s Church by a Chicago publishing firm, the parish paying the freight. The church could accommodate about 200, and for the next year only about one-half of the church had pews, and the other half was just standing room. In 1902 Father Thomas A. Bily began plans for a new larger church. The present day church was dedicated on March 19, 1906, the feast of St. Joseph.

For more information see History of St. Joseph Catholic Church, New Waverly

St. Stanislaus Catholic Church
Chappell Hill, Texas

The polish community of Chappell Hill is situated in Washington County, midway between Houston and Austin. In 1888, Rev. James Grabinger, announced that a church would be built in Chappell Hill. The great hurricane of 1900 destroyed this first church. The church, which was a small frame building, was blown down on September 9, 1900. The second church, a frame structure of 40′ x 80′, was built in 1901, facing west and was located where the old rectory stands today. On December 4, 1921, a fire that started after Mass on Sunday destroyed the church, rectory and the parish office. The third and present church was started in January 1922, and completed in August 1924.

For more information see History of St. Stanislaus Catholic Church, Chappell Hill, Texas

St. Mary Catholic Church
Bremond, Texas

There was no Catholic church when Jozef Bartula and his family came to Bremond in 1875. However, a priest was coming from the church of St. Mary of the Assumption, Waco TX to minister to the Catholics in Bremond. In 1878 Father Mosiewicz began to build a church in Bremond. The first wooden church was 50 feet long and 25 feet wide. A cross extended from a spire 40 feet above the ground. A bell, hung from a wooden platform near the church, called the people to worship. A new brick church was dedicated on 17 Feb 1909. The structure was of Gothic style with dimensions 125 feet by 62 feet. The brick church was torn down in 1970 and the current church was built in 1971.

For more information see History of St. Mary Catholic Church – Bremond, Texas

St. Mary Catholic Church
Brenham, Texas

For more information see History of St. Mary Catholic Church, Brenham, Texas

St. Stanislaus Kostka Catholic Church
Anderson, Texas

For more information see History of St. Stanislaus Kostka Catholic Church, Anderson, Texas

St. Joseph Catholic Church
Stoneham, Texas

For more information see History of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Stoneham, Texas

Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church
Panna Maria, Texas

For more information see Panna Maria, Texas: The First Polish Settlement in America

St. Stanislaus Catholic Church
Bandera, Texas

For more information see Emigration Of Bandera Texas Polish Silesians

Veterans Tribute

by James Smock on November 11, 2010

in Photo Gallery,Veterans Tribute

Photo Tribute To Texas Military Veterans of Polish Descent

Many of the early Polish settlers in Texas and their descendants left a patriotic legacy of United States military service. This tribute section honors our veterans with photos and military information.

Click on thumbnail photos below to enlarge the photo. Click on the icon in the photo caption to see the veterans family history in our genealogy database or click on the icon to see more infomation on the veteran.

Adam Edward Polka US Army World War I Photo courtesy of James Smock Adam Edward Polka US Army World War I Photo courtesy of James Smock	Adam Edward Polka and Mike Klotz US Army World War I Photo courtesy of James Smock Adam Edward Polka and Mike Klotz US Army World War I Photo courtesy of James Smock	Walter Alfred ‘Rip’ Smock Aircraft Electrician US Navy World War II Photo courtesy of James Smock Walter Alfred ‘Rip’ Smock Aircraft Electrician US Navy World War II Photo courtesy of James Smock	Harold Matell US Army Korea Photo courtesy of James Smock Harold Matell US Army Korea Photo courtesy of James Smock
Marion Polka US Army World War II Photo courtesy of James Smock Marion Polka US Army World War II Photo courtesy of James Smock	Robert E. ‘Bob’ Wick Radio Operator 1st Lt US Army World War II Photo courtesy of Freida Wick Robert E. ‘Bob’ Wick Radio Operator 1st Lt US Army World War II Photo courtesy of Freida Wick	James Vernon ‘Pancho’ Polka US Navy Photo courtesy of James Smock James Vernon ‘Pancho’ Polka US Navy Photo courtesy of James Smock	Robert Lee Maduzia US Navy World War II Photo courtesy of Bill Maduzia Robert Lee Maduzia US Navy World War II Photo courtesy of Bill Maduzia
Stanley and William Lehoski World War II Photo courtesy of Ron Wendt Stanley and William Lehoski World War II Photo courtesy of Ron Wendt	Edd Lehoski World War II Photo courtesy of Ron Wendt Edd Lehoski World War II Photo courtesy of Ron Wendt	Sgt. and Mrs. Robert Grucholski World War II Photo courtesy of Ron Wendt Sgt. and Mrs. Robert Grucholski World War II Photo courtesy of Ron Wendt	Ripkoski Family 12 Brothers Served US Army, Navy and Air Force World War II and Korea Bernie, Felix, Alex, August, Leon, Bill, Herman, Franklin, John, Mike, Stanley and Raymond. Photo courtesy of James Smock Ripkoski Family 12 Brothers Served US Army, Navy and Air Force World War II and Korea Bernie, Felix, Alex, August, Leon, Bill, Herman, Franklin, John, Mike, Stanley and Raymond. Photo courtesy of James Smock
Michael L Galik Field Artillery Battalion US Army World War II Photo courtesy of Galik family Michael L Galik Field Artillery Battalion US Army World War II Photo courtesy of Galik family	John J Zientek Troop “E” 124th Calvary Ft. Ringgold, Texas US Army World War II Photo courtesy of John Zientek Jr. John J Zientek Troop “E” 124th Calvary Ft. Ringgold, Texas US Army World War II Photo courtesy of John Zientek Jr.	Steve Supercinski Troop “E” 124th Calvary Ft. Ringgold, Texas US Army World War II Photo courtesy of John Zientek Jr. Steve Supercinski Troop “E” 124th Calvary Ft. Ringgold, Texas US Army World War II Photo courtesy of John Zientek Jr.	Henry (Andreas) Kmiec PFC – 44th Service Co. US Army World War I Photo courtesy of Dolores Wisnoski Newman Henry (Andreas) Kmiec PFC – 44th Service Co. US Army World War I Photo courtesy of Dolores Wisnoski Newman
Mike Wisnoski US Army World War II Photo courtesy of Dolores Wisnoski Newman Mike Wisnoski US Army World War II Photo courtesy of Dolores Wisnoski Newman	Peter David Macejewski 1958th Ordance Depot Co U S Army Air Force World War II Photo courtesy of Barbara Macejewski Lee Peter David Macejewski 1958th Ordance Depot Co U S Army Air Force World War II Photo courtesy of Barbara Macejewski Lee	Pete Dutka U S Army Korean War Photo courtesy of Ronnie Dutka Pete Dutka U S Army Korean War Photo courtesy of Ronnie Dutka	John Joseph Felchak, Sr. U. S. Army Pvt 332 Field RMT SQ. QMC American Expeditionary Force, France World War 1 Photo courtesy of Virginia Felchak Hill John Joseph Felchak, Sr. U. S. Army Pvt 332 Field RMT SQ. QMC American Expeditionary Force, France World War 1 Photo courtesy of Virginia Felchak Hill
Fred William Kubiak US Army World War II France Photo courtesy of Nick Kubiak Fred William Kubiak US Army World War II France Photo courtesy of Nick Kubiak	Steve Zabawa US Army World War II with mother Leokadya Duhr Zabawa Photo courtesy of Nick Kubiak Steve Zabawa US Army World War II with mother Leokadya Duhr Zabawa Photo courtesy of Nick Kubiak	Stash John Patke US Army World War I with Frank Marszalek on the left and Josie Marszalek Patke on the right. Photo courtesy of Hazel Dutka Stash John Patke US Army World War I with Frank Marszalek on the left and Josie Marszalek Patke on the right. Photo courtesy of Hazel Dutka	Clement C. Szymanski US Army World War II Technician Fourth Grade Field Artillery Battalion Awarded Silver Star medal for gallantry in action in Germany on 14 April 1945. Photo courtesy of Barbara Macejewski Lee Clement C. Szymanski US Army World War II Technician Fourth Grade Field Artillery Battalion Awarded Silver Star medal for gallantry in action in Germany on 14 April 1945. Photo courtesy of Barbara Macejewski Lee
Tony Issac Baranowski Seaman First Class US Navy World War II Photo courtesy of Carol Baranowski Melnar Tony Issac Baranowski US Navy World War II Photo courtesy of Carol Baranowski Melnar	Raymond Paul Kujawa USNR 3rd Class Mate Corpus Christi (TX) Naval Air Station 1942-45 Photo courtesy of Steve Kujawa Raymond Paul Kujawa USNR 3rd Class Mate Corpus Christi (TX) Naval Air Station 1942-45 Photo courtesy of Steve Kujawa

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