John and Anna Smallshaw have roots both in Milwaukee and in Poland. Some 15 years ago we embarked on a project to research the history of the 19 churches in Milwaukee constructed through incredible sacrifices of Milwaukee's Polish immigrant community. Without the benefit of modern construction equipment they were able to build some of the most striking churches visible in the Milwaukee skyline using their bare hands, recycled building materials, horses and mules. Most of these immigrants arrived in Wisconsin illiterate in their native Polish and without the ability to speak English, but brought with them an incredibly strong sense of national identity and commitment to the Catholic Faith. Working at the very bottom of the socio-economic ladder and without financial support from the archdiocese, they were able to finance and build these houses of worship and adjoining parochiol schools looking forward to the day when Poland would regain its independence and they could return to the land that they loved.
