Leicesters Polish Comunity

The Polish Community in Leicester was founded in 1948. It arose as a result of the settlement of Polish Soldiers and their families in demobilisation camps in and around Leicester. In keeping with Polish traditions these families rapidly organised themselves into an active community. Father Frąckowiak, an army chaplain was seconded to Leicester making it possible for the fledgling Polish community to celebrate Holy Mass in their mother tongue. Before long Father Frąckowiak made contact with the Dominican Fathers at Holy Cross Church. As luck would have it the Prior was of Polish extraction and gave permission for the Poles to use his church to celebrate Mass. In order to have something that reminded them of home in their adopted church, the community raised funds to purchase an oil painting of the Black Madonna of Częstochowa.