PE ELL— A major part of this town’s proud Polish history crashed to the ground this week, after 90 years as a landmark in the west Lewis County town.
Holy Cross Church — which had been the only Polish National Catholic Church building in Washington state — lost its battle against time, age and a variety of other factors as crews cut the main timbers out and let the sagging building fall to the ground.
“I have so many emotions and memories about that building,” said lifelong Pe Ell resident John Treznoski, a member of the church in its heyday. “It comes with the times — what was once a very large crowd died off over the years.”
And a large crowd it was. Polish immigrants to Pe Ell built Holy Cross Church on 3rd Street in 1916, some 18 years after the founding of the nationwide Polish National Catholic Church.
The PNCC split from the Roman Catholic Church over a strong desire to maintain Polish language and traditions in their services — including the liturgy, which is normally spoken in Latin.
The unique makeup of Holy Cross Church and its one-of-a-kind religious affiliation was an integral part of Pe Ell’s history in the twentieth century, according to many in the town.
Holy Cross Church was included in the Washington State Heritage Register and had applied for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places — further cementing the congregation’s legacy in Lewis County.
Although the church struggled with finding consistent leadership over the years, the Polish community in Pe Ell found stability and continuity through what the church offered.
Around a decade ago, according to Treznoski, time finally took its toll on a dwindling congregation.
“There hadn’t been a regular church gathering there for 10 years or better,” said Treznoski. “Those of us still here didn’t have enough money to support a congregation.”
The lack of money was the building’s death knell long before this week’s demolition.
As the church started to fall into disrepair, the church began to sell and give away items to other churches — and also help out one antique store in town.
“The church members put some things on consignment here,” said Shirley James, owner of Ivy’s Attic on Main Street in Pe Ell. “They let the building go too long, but I’m happy we were able to save some items.”
James points out items such as the crucifix used by the church during prayer time; a Bible estimated to be 100 years old and used consistently by the congregation; and the church’s historic draw organ, used to accompany hymns from faithful members throughout the years.
“It’s so sad to see such a neat building go away,” said James. “I feel bad for the families here who were such a part of it for so many years.”
A trip down South 3rd Street in Pe Ell reveals tilled-up ground and exposed dirt where the church stood for 93 years — the only building that remains on the property is the rectory, the home where priests assigned to the church lived.
While the tract of land still belongs to the Holy Cross Diocese, Treznoski admits life in the small west Lewis County community of 650 won’t be the same without the physical landmark denoting the town’s heritage.
“At my age, time takes its toll on you and what you’ve been a part of,” said Treznoski. “What can you do?”
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Chris Brewer: (360) 807-8235
