2nd scientific expedition to the USA June 26-July 10, 2023

The second scientific expedition of the ECCC Foundation to the USA, as part of the project “Research on the national cultural heritage of the Polish community in the USA and the creation of digital memory collections”, took place from June 26 to July 10, 2023. The expedition operated in Chicago (Illinois), Radom (Illinois) and Milwaukee (Wisconsin).

As part of the expedition, an interdisciplinary team of 6 people conducted research in 7 church buildings built in the Polish community abroad. Scientific work focused on activities aimed at preserving the appearance of these objects, their interiors, using the most modern 3D digital research techniques and historical research.

Historical research and 3D scanning of churches was carried out:

- Church of St. Blaise in Chicago
- Church of St. Maximilian Kolbe in Marytown, Chicago
- Church of St. Josaphat in Chicago
- Church of St. Bruno in Chicago
- Church of St. Michael the Archangel in Radom
- Basilica of St. Josaphat in Milwaukee
- Church of St. Adalbert in Chicago (closed – intended for liquidation/sale; failed to do during the first expedition)

Small objects (relics, crosses, chalices, monstrances) and a bell imported from Poland to the USA were also scanned, as well as a Pieta sculpture from the Church of St. Adalbert, and stored in the church of St. Paul in Chicago.

In addition, the band was interviewed by:

- TV “Trwam” Branch in Chicago
- Radio Maryja Chicago Branch
- DEON radio
- Chicago Union Journal
- Radio 103.1 FM
- Polish Radio Chicago

In addition, the team met with the Consul General of the Republic of Poland in Chicago, Dr. Paweł Zyzak and his team. During the working meeting, the implementation of the project and its results so far, the activities of the team during the second expedition and the prospects for further joint activities were discussed.

The team prepared and promoted a photographic exhibition on the first expedition from October 2022. The exhibition was available in the hall of the church of St. Trinity in Chicago on July 1-9, 2023. The exhibition met with great interest of the Polish community in Chicago. The exhibition was handed over to the Polish community for further use and dissemination.

The expedition team (in the photo from the left):

1) Prof. Marek Miłosz (Lublin University of Technology) – scientific head of the expedition
2) Dr. Jacek Kęsik (Lublin University of Technology)
3) Dr. Elżbieta Miłosz (Lublin University of Technology)
4) Dr. Katarzyna Urban (Catholic University of Lublin) – historical director of the expedition
5) prof. Jerzy Montusiewicz (Lublin University of Technology)

and:
6) Małgorzata Tys (Archdiocese of Chicago) – logistics of the expedition

The expedition was actively supported by Polish activists in Chicago:

– Daniel Pogorzelski
– Marek Dobrzycki

Thanks

We would like to thank all those who helped us during the expedition: Polish community activists, the Archdiocese of Chicago, parish priests and their associates (priests, nuns, volunteers), the media, the Consul General of the Republic of Poland and his associates, companies taking care of the buildings, and all the nice and helpful people we met on our way.