A view of the church from the first balcony .
St . Adalbert ’ s Catholic Church : An Immigrant Story By David Frederick , Director of Sacred Places Indiana , Indiana Landmarks
Learning to tell a compelling story is one of the hallmarks of the New Dollars / New Partners training program — developed by Partners for Sacred Places and collaboratively offered to many congregations over the years by Indiana Landmarks . A stellar example of the impact this training has had is St . Adalbert ’ s Catholic Church in South Bend , Indiana .
In the mid- to late-19th century , working-class Polish immigrants were among the first groups to arrive in South Bend , forming a prominent ethnic community that would become intimately interwoven with the history and culture of this industrial city . Early arrivals worked on constructing the Michigan Central Railroad line between Chicago and South Bend . Later arrivals found gainful employment in the factories of the Oliver Chilled Plow Works , Studebaker Manufacturing ( first wagons , later automobiles ), and the Singer Sewing Machine Company .
Ultimately , four Polish parishes were established in South Bend : St . Hedwig , St . Casimir , St . Stanislaus Bishop and Martyr , and St . Adalbert . The 175-foot-tall , twin-spired neo-Gothic church of St . Adalbert was the last to be completed , in 1911 . The sanctuary ’ s original artistic excellence was somewhat diminished by a 1980s remodel that changed the paint scheme and light fixtures ( which will be restored in future years ). Nonetheless , treasures abound . Tiffany artist Arthur Michaudel fabricated the dramatic stained-glass windows that were designed by Czech American painter and muralist John Mallin , who decorated more than 100 churches in the United States . Mallin philosophized , “ As there is nothing too good for God , so there is nothing too rich or too precious for God ’ s earthly home , His churches .” In 1940 , Mallin painted several murals for St . Adalbert ’ s , one of which depicts a heavenly Christ overlooking an industrial South Bend and its workers . In Polish a banner reads , “ By the sweat of thy face shall thou eat bread ” ( Genesis 3:19 ).
The parish joined the 2022 New Dollars training cohort led by the Sacred Places Indiana program at Indiana Landmarks , the nation ’ s largest statewide preservation organization . Parish leaders received training in enhancing stewardship and fundraising skills , building their capacity to take on a major capital project . Parish leaders were especially interested in asset-based community development and the economic and community value of their church , subjects that are integral to New Dollars .
6 SACRED PLACES • WINTER 2025