Polonia Publishing Company advertisment

Polonia Publishing was founded in 1906 by Father Frank Wojtalewicz, pastor of the Immaculate Conception parish, and two brothers, Adam and John. It was located at 8723 Commercial Avenue in South Chicago, across the street from Immaculate Conception, the first of four Polish Catholic churches in the neighborhood. In 1916, Father Wojtalewicz sold Polonia to the Urbanek Brothers, who began the printing establishment known as the Polonia Publishing Company. They published a newspaper, Polonia: The South Chicago Polish Weekly. Although small, Polonia supplied its readers with news from Poland, the United States, and other parts of the globe. It also contributed instructive articles for readers on U.S. citizenship and patriotism as well as democracy, human rights, and other subjects. The paper viewed itself as strongly patriotic. This ad, with minor changes, was used in both the St. Florian and Immaculate Conception Anniversary books. St. Florian Church is located in Hegewisch, another neighborhood with a historically large Polish population.