Polish RootsAmong the earliest of Polish communities in the United States is the Texas town of Panna Maria. The town, named for the Virgin Mary, was settled in 1854 by Polish Catholic immigrants. The cross on top of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church at the center of town was brought from Poland by the town's founders.Several other Polish communities, Koskiusco, Cestohawa and Pawelkville, survive in the region southeast of San Antonio, but the unique language that once distinguished the area is fading. Near the church is a visitor center and museum preserving the town's Polish heritage. NEXT | Return to Cultural Crossroads |