Texas Historical Marker #01874
First Store in Panna Maria. Built in 1855; used as a storeroom for landlord's share of Panna Maria crops. The landlord, John Twohig, a devout Catholic, set aside one room of store for the church and school. Owned and operated by the Snoga family since 1918. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark, 1966 Incise in base: Marker furnished by Snoga families in memory of Frank and Annie Snoga #1874
?, Panna Maria, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #02619
Immaculate Conception Church. Oldest Polish parish in America. Offered its first Mass on Dec. 24, 1854 (altar under an oak tree). First building erected 1855. This church with 100-foot tower built 1877; remodeled 1937. #2619
?, Panna Maria, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #04459
Saint Joseph's School. Built 1868. Oldest Polish private school in America. Since 1855, classes had been held in various sites. This was the first school building in the colony at Panna Maria. Teachers lived upstairs and classes were held on the ground floor. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark, 1966 #4459
?, Panna Maria, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #04016
Pilarczyk Store. Built 1875; second oldest store in Panna Maria; still has original rafters and floors. Lime for mortaring stones (visible on back and sides) was fired in home kilns. Store was bought by Victor Pilarczyk, 1913. First gas pump was installed 1919. #4016
?, Panna Maria, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #06074
Oldest Permanent Polish Colony in America - Panna Maria, Texas. Settled by 100 Polish families who came to Texas to gain economic, political and religious freedom. Led by Father Leopold Moczygemba, O.F.M., Conv., they made a contract in 1854 with John Twohig, a San Antonio banker and merchant, for land at this site. The colonists, natives of Upper Silesia and Krakow, landed at Galveston after a hard voyage of nine weeks on a sailing ship. They hired Mexican carts to haul their farm implements, featherbeds, and the cross from their parish church in Poland. The 800 men, women, and children walked-- some in boots, others barefoot-- the 200 miles inland to their new home. Babies were born on the way, and some of the people died. All suffered from hunger and exposure. On Dec. 24, 1854, they reached this site. They named it Panna Maria (Virgin Mary), placing it under the patronage of the Immaculate Conception. Beneath a large oak they offered their first Midnight Mass of Thanksgiving and petition for strength and courage. They camped out until they could put up huts of mud, straw or wood, later building in stone. In spite of hardships, they founded a stable community, aided in settling other frontiers, pioneered in education, and gave Texas many patriotic, dedicated citizens. #6074
?, Panna Maria, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #05534
Town of Panna Maria. Oldest Polish settlement in Texas. Established Deccember 24, 1854 by the Reverend Leopold Moczygemba O.F.M., who was instrumental in bringing from Poland about 100 Polish peasant families. Within a few months the majority sought homes in other localities in Texas. -- #5534
?, Panna Maria, TX, United States