About Polish Leodensians

The Polish community in Leeds is one that has a rich history dating back to several decades. It has grown into a significant powerhouse in the area of Chapeltown by integrating with the local community, while also maintaining and strengthening over time their cultural and national identity and responsibilities.

The Polish Leodensians project captures this by investigating various aspects underpinning the entire community. Who are the most important people in history? What does the community in the present look like? What are the challenges and hopes for the future?

Here are the themes raised in our digital stories....

Photo of an event commemorating Polish soldiers who fought in the Second World War

Our History and Culture

We have been based since the second half of the twentieth century in Chapeltown, an area north of Leeds city centre. However, the birth of our community can be traced back to after the Second World War.

Photo of a procession around Killingbeck Cemetery in Leeds, for All Souls' Day

Our Faith and Why it Matters

We investigate the Catholic faith among our community members and how it impacts their day-to-day lives.

Photo of a woman in folk clothing at a cultural event

Facilities and Activities

Our people have various passions and hobbies they invest their time into. We look into how important they are in self-development and in the community's development.

Photo of the parish priest talking to a group of Polish Saturday School pupils

Education

Community work also focuses on raising the next generation of Poles and committing to educating them on their roots.

We hope that with this project, we bring our community to life further. We are committed to conserving our traditions and activities associated with them, and we hope that the next generations of Poles in Leeds will be able to continue the work of their ancestors.