St. John Paul II bust installed Polish Cultural Garden in Cleveland August 25, 2018
The Polish Cultural Garden in Cleveland has busts of several famous Poles: Copernicus, Henryk Sienkiewicz, Frédéric Chopin, Madame Marie Sklodowska Curie, Ignacy Jan Paderewski and Adam Mickiewicz. They circle a beautiful fountain in the Garden at the corner of East Blvd and St. Clair in Cleveland.
The bust of Polish astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus was recently moved to make way for a new bust of Saint Pope John Paul II which was added to the Polish Garden.
Gene Bak and the Polish American Cultural Center spearheaded the effort to honor Saint John Paul II. In this short video, Gene spoke about the process to add the bust. He also told of John Paul's visit to Cleveland when he was Cardinal Karol Józef Wojtyla and said Mass at the Shrine Church of St. Stanislaus.
NOTE: The image below with a white arrow in the middle is a video. (The other images are just photos) You can click on the white arrow to watch the video. Make sure your speakers are on and you can make the video full screen once it begins by clicking the icon in the lower right corner.
There will be a formal dedication of the bust of Saint John Paul II in the fall. Find out when and stay informed about the local Polish community by signing up for the free Polish eNews mailings. You can select other specific groups as well. It's easy and free. Fill out the form for the free Polish eNews.
The bust is now in an open area at the South end of the Garden and soon there will be plants surrounding it.
Enjoy these images from the installation of the bust of Saint John Paul II in the Polish Cultural Garden. Note the details of the sculpture.
Installation of the bust of Saint John Paul II in the Polish Cultural Garden in Cleveland
Installers of the bust of Saint John Paul II
Connie Adams, Gene Bak and Gary Kotlarsic with bust of John Paul II
Words on the front of the bust: Pope, Philosopher, Author, Actor, Poet, Saint
Rear view of the Bust of John Paul II
Detail rear view of Bust of John Paul II
Connie Adams, one of the donors to the effort. Names listed on the rear of the monument
Right side of the Bust of John Paul II
Closeup of right side detail of Bust of John Paul II
Participating Churches listed on the right side of the bust
Left side of the Bust of John Paul II
Participating Organizations listed on the left side of the bust
Signature of the sculptor of the bust of John Paul II
Gary and Agnieska Kotlarsic and family
Posing with the newly installed bust of Saint John Paul II
Connie Adams and Gene Bak with the newly installed bust of Saint John Paul II
Visit the Polish Cultural Garden in Cleveland
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