On Friday, March 4, 2011, members of the Agriculture Business Association of Poland and The National Association of Cereal Producers of Poland along with their host Dr. Jim Mazurkiewicz, Leadership Program Director for Texas AgriLife Extension stopped for a short visit at the historic St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in Anderson, Texas. St. Stanislaus church was built in the early 1900’s by Polish immigrants who settled in Grimes county.
The group was met as they got off of the bus by parishioners Mike Kurtin, Gail Sowell, Tommy Szymczak and Barbara Szymczak. Everyone gathered under the large live oak trees in front of the church as they were formally welcomed by St. Stanislaus pastor Fr. JoJo Cal-Ortiz. Anderson’s mayor, Gail Sowell read an official proclamation from the city and then Grimes County Sheriff Don Sowell said a few words. The Polish delegates then posed for a formal photo in front of the church that will be published in next weeks Navasota Examiner. Everyone entered the church as Mike Kurtin gave a tour and a history lesson in Polish.
The delegates were then given a tour of the old St. Stanislaus cemetery where the original Polish immigrants were laid to rest. Gail Sowell handed out Texas maps donated by the Texas Highway Department, Texas flag bandannas provided by Mike Kurtin and memorabilia from the sheriff’s office and then St. Stanislaus altar society members served up a small snack along with box lunches to eat on the bus as the delegates headed toward the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo.
Below are a few photos of the activities and there is a slideshow of more photos on page 2.
James Smock has always held an interest in his Polish ancestors and heritage. He is a native Houstonian with Polish roots in Bremond, Marlin and New Waverly, Texas.