About Immaculate Heart of Mary · Cleveland, Ohio
Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish (Polish: Kościół Niepokalanego Serca Najświętszej Maryi Panny) is a Roman Catholic parish at 6700 Lansing Avenue in Cleveland's Slavic Village neighborhood, the historic Warszawa district. Founded on May 3, 1894 by Rev. Anton F. Kolaszewski to serve Cleveland's growing Polish Catholic community, the parish was originally independent before reconciling with the Diocese of Cleveland in 1908. The present Romanesque church, designed by Polish-American architect Anthony F. Wasielewski, was begun in 1913, completed in 1916, and dedicated by Bishop John Patrick Farrelly on July 27, 1916 — a Cleveland Designated Landmark still anchored by a congregation of roughly 1,100 parishioners, both English- and Polish-speaking.
- Established
- 1894
- Patron
- Immaculate Heart of Mary (Kościół Niepokalanego Serca Najświętszej Maryi Panny)
- Rector
- Rev. Ralph G. Hudak
- Diocese
- Diocese of Cleveland
Why belong here
Immaculate Heart of Mary is the spiritual anchor of Cleveland's historic Warszawa / Slavic Village Polish neighborhood, where parishioners have worshipped for more than 130 years. It remains a genuinely bilingual community, offering Sunday Mass in both English and Polish, alongside First Friday and Divine Mercy devotions celebrated in Polish. With roughly 1,100 households, dedicated lay staff and clergy, and a striking 1916 Romanesque church listed as a Cleveland Designated Landmark, IHM is a place where heritage, faith, and neighborhood welcome come together — an ideal home for English- and Polish-speaking Catholics, longtime residents, and new immigrants alike.
Mass times at Immaculate Heart of Mary
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:00 PM – 3:30 PM
Parish Identity & Heritage
Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish — known in Polish as Kościół Niepokalanego Serca Najświętszej Maryi Panny — sits at 6700 Lansing Avenue in the heart of Cleveland's Slavic Village, the historic Warszawa neighborhood settled by Polish immigrants. Founded on May 3, 1894, the parish has served as the spiritual, social, and educational anchor of this community for more than 130 years. The parish mission today mirrors its 1894 founding purpose: to serve parishioners' spiritual needs, remain a neighborhood anchor, and welcome Catholics and new immigrants while forming future leaders of the Church.
- Founded May 3, 1894 by Rev. Anton F. Kolaszewski
- Originally an independent Polish Catholic parish; reconciled with the Diocese of Cleveland in 1908
- Approximately 1,100 parish members today — both English- and Polish-speaking, city and suburban
- Part of the Diocese of Cleveland
Church Building & Architecture
The present Romanesque church was designed by Polish-American architect Anthony F. Wasielewski, who based his plans on his earlier Holy Family church in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Parishioners themselves provided labor and many of the materials to erect the brick-and-stone structure, which replaced the original wooden combination church-and-school destroyed by fire. The new church was dedicated by Bishop John Patrick Farrelly on July 27, 1916, and could seat 1,250 worshippers. A twin-towered facade with four additional side entrances opens directly into the nave. The cornerstone in the west corner of the facade is carved with a heart beneath a Latin cross and the Polish dedication 'KOŚCIÓŁ POLSKI R. K. NIEP. SER. N. M. P. 1914.' The church, school, rectory, and convent are listed together as a Cleveland Designated Landmark.
- Architect: Anthony F. Wasielewski
- Style: Romanesque
- Built: 1913–1916; dedicated July 27, 1916
- Capacity: 1,250 worshippers
- Cleveland Designated Landmark (church, school, rectory, convent)
Stained-Glass Windows by The Munich Studio
The church's art-glass windows are among its most distinctive features. They were fabricated by The Munich Studio of Chicago under master designer Max Guler — a painter who had studied in Munich, Germany and specialized in Germanic Baroque-style European memorial windows. Many are signed and were installed between 1914 and 1918. While most of the studio's work depicts traditional biblical scenes, several windows at Immaculate Heart of Mary honor Polish saints and ethnic themes, each bearing a flowing memorial scroll at its foot naming the founding-parishioner sponsor.
- Maker: The Munich Studio of Chicago
- Designer: Max Guler
- Installed 1914–1918
- Authentic stained glass (painted with vitreous oxide and silver stain), protected by exterior rough flat glass
- Polish saints, patriotic, and ethnic memorial themes alongside biblical scenes
Parish School (Historical)
Immaculate Heart of Mary operated a K-8 parochial school for most of its history. The original wooden combination church-and-school served as the first school, staffed by lay teachers until 1911, when the Sisters of St. Joseph of the Third Order of St. Francis (Marymount Province, Garfield Heights) took charge. A temporary school was erected in 1915, and a new 16-room school was dedicated in 1925. Enrollment peaked at 1,350 students in 1932. In 1988 the school merged with nearby Sacred Heart Parish and was renamed Jesus and Mary School. Citing low enrollment and competition from nearby St. Stanislaus Parish School, Jesus and Mary School closed in 2003, with 167 students enrolled at the time of closure. The parish facilities today include the historic school building, a parish hall/gymnasium, rectory, and convent.
- Staffed by Sisters of St. Joseph of the Third Order of St. Francis
- New 16-room school dedicated 1925
- Peak enrollment: 1,350 students in 1932
- Merged with Sacred Heart Parish, 1988 — renamed Jesus and Mary School
- Closed 2003 with 167 students enrolled
- Existing parish facilities: parish hall/gymnasium, rectory, and convent
Parish Staff & Leadership
The parish is currently led by pastor Rev. Ralph G. Hudak. Andrew Knapik serves in a vicariate role. A team of lay staff supports parish operations, liturgy, and facilities.
- Pastor: Rev. Ralph G. Hudak
- Vicar: Andrew Knapik
- Music & Liturgy Director: Jeff Mills
- Operations Manager: Bill Andrea
- Maintenance: Jacob LaGuardia
- Parish Office Secretary: Julie Bowling
- Parish Office Assistant: Barbara Riggins
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Anton F. Kolaszewski1894–1908
Founder; former pastor of St. Stanislaus; led the parish as an independent Polish Catholic parish until 1908 reconciliation with the diocese.
- Fr. Methodius Kielar, OFM1908–1909 (approx.)
Franciscan priest named administrator after reconciliation with the diocese.
- Fr. Marion J. Orzechowski1912–1932
Gifted administrator who supervised construction of the present Romanesque church (begun 1914) and the 16-room school (dedicated 1925). Later named pastor of St. John Cantius.
- Fr. John Mlotkowski1932–1960
Served until his death in 1960.
- Fr. Aloysius Dombrowski1960 (approx.)–
Remodeled the sanctuary in accord with the reforms of Vatican II.
- Rev. Ralph G. Hudakcurrent
Current pastor.