Remembering St. Stan from time to time

I remember my babcia Birkowska telling me as a young boy a story about St. Stan's. As a girl she lived one street over on Chambers Ave. In 1909 there was a tornado that blew the 200 foot spires off the steeple mounts. One that fell to the street killed a passer by. After the storm the City of Cleveland passed an ordinance prohibiting tall spires.

The current version of the church was built in 1891 replacing the old church that was built a decade before, but quickly became too small for the rapidly growing Polish population. The Chapel in the basement of the church is nearly as large as the 900 seat sanctuary above. In the old days Masses were simultaneous in both. With 7 to 9 priests assigned to the parish it was not difficult. At one time there were 50 nuns living in the convent.

St. Stanislaus Patron of Poland and Martyred Bishop is for whom this church is named. (not to be confessed with St. Stanislaus Kostka)

King Boleslaw was furious with the Bishop who had a dispute regarding church lands and how the king treated some nobles who put their families ahead of service to the crown. Royal guards followed the Bishop, some of whom were sent to kill the Saint. These Christian Poles dared not obey, so Boleslaw slew him. Boleslaw was excommunicated and run out of the country.

History tells us that the people of Poland turned against Boleslaw and wanted to shred him to bits. To remember his terrible deed they created a dish of shredded cabbage known today as Coleslaw. The B was changed to a C because the actual name of Boleslaw became vulgar to utter. [cite needed] So, now every time you eat coleslaw you will remember what that SOB Boleslaw did to our dear Saint. Even if this is not factual - at least you will remember St. Stan when you eat coleslaw. I think he'd appreciate that.