National Cleveland Style Polka Hall of Fame and Museum
605 East 222nd Street
Euclid, OH 44123
USA
E-mail: Polkashop@aol.com
Phone: 216-261-3263
Toll Free: 1-800-66POLKA
Fax: 216-261-4134
St. Mary of the Assumption Church, led by eight pastors of Slovenian descent, has
been a focal point for Cleveland-Style Polkas through its first ninety years. Bonding
with the Slovenian-American community, St. Mary's housed Collinwood's original Slovenian
Home, domiciled the Slovenian choir originally called Ilirija, and taught the Slovenian
language to students of all ages. Overcoming setbacks and tragedies, St. Mary's parishioners
built a school and parish house in the 1920s, fostering their religious and cultural
heritage, and broke ground for St. Mary's current edifice in 1956. When the flock
began dispersing to the suburbs, Reverend Victor Tome held the parish together retiring
debt, working for the canonization of Slovenian missionary Bishop Frederick Baraga,
and supporting other Slovenian institutions. Since 1987, Reverend John Kumse has
maintained St. Mary's unique tradition and identity as one of America's significant
Slovenian-American institutions.
Inducted in 1996
www.polkafame.com © National Cleveland Style Polka Hall of Fame and Museum, 605
East 222nd Street, Euclid, OH 44123, USA.
