Lobby
Welcome to the Polish Heritage Center at Panna Maria. The goal of the Center is to keep vibrant the customs, values, and traditions of the early Polish settlers and to inspire, engage, inform, and educate visitors.
A “timeline” mural depicts the Polish immigrants leaving their homeland, arriving in Texas, and celebrating a Mass of Thanksgiving under a sheltering oak tree in the settlement that would be named Panna Maria. As the years sweep by, the immigrants are shown adapting and succeeding. Final images portray descendants returning to Poland and reconnecting with their heritage.
A colorful terrazzo floor medallion with three circles symbolizes the journey of the immigrants—Poland, United States, Texas.
Rotunda
The Rotunda, at the heart of the Center, features Saint Cyril and Saint Methodius, co-patron saints of Europe. The brothers carried the gospels to Central and Eastern Europe in the 9th century.
Above, on a band surrounding the star-filled dome, is displayed the great commandment by Jesus Christ, “Go Make Disciples of All Nations” Matthew 20:19, in the three languages of English, Polish, and Spanish.
Four niches surround Saint Cyril and Saint Methodius, each dedicated to a different saint significant to the Polish people: Saint Hedwig, Patron Saint of Silesia; Saint Hyacinth, Apostle of the North; Saint Stanislaus, Martyred Bishop of Kraków; Saint John Paul the Great.
Occupying a unique niche of her own is Our Lady of Częstochowa, Queen and Protector of Poland.