The Polish Roman Catholic Union of America (PRCUA), headquartered in Chicago, IL, is a fraternal benefit society established in 1873 by Rev. Teodor Gieryk, Rev. Wincenty Barzyński, C.R., and John Barzyński, in Detroit, MI.
From its inception, the PRCUA has been a pioneer in implementing social programs to support its members. In 1886, the organization introduced an innovative insurance system. Concurrently, the PRCUA launched a publication, which has undergone several name changes but has continued as Naród Polski since 1897.
In 1897, the PRCUA led the way in granting equal membership rights to women, over two decades prior to American women receiving the right to vote.
In 1913, the organization built its headquarters at Milwaukee Avenue and Augusta Boulevard in Chicago – the same building that it occupies today. In 1915 the PRCUA opened a Library and in 1935 it founded Museum and Archives, known today as The Polish Museum of America (PMA).
The PRCUA encouraged its members to harmonize the finest aspects of their Polish culture and religious faith with the values of their newly-acquired American ideals. This harmonious blend laid the foundation for a Polish American community, firmly rooted in their commitment to “To God and Country,” the motto that epitomized the organization’s ethos.
The PRCUA has 150-year legacy of supporting charitable endeavors. Since the founding it has generously contributed substantial funds to construct churches and schools within the Polish American community. Further, it collected donations for widows, orphans and those in need as well as raised funds to build an orphanage and a hospital. Notably, during both World Wars PRCUA members extended aid to Polish refugees. In a show of solidarity during the 1980s martial law, the organization successfully raised funds for the procurement of ambulances dispatched to Poland.
The organization continues to support charitable causes and to promote camaraderie among its members by sponsoring national sports tournaments, social events and youth programs, including Polish language and dance schools.
The PRCUA is currently licensed to sell life insurance in 27 states. In addition to offering low-cost life insurance programs to its members, it also makes low-interest home mortgages, college loans and educational scholarships available to its members.