KIRTLAND, Ohio — The Historic Kirtland Visitors Center was abuzz with activity June 25-26 when the local Polish community accepted an invitation to participate in Polish Heritage Days.

Photo by Edna Davis

Polish descendants in the Cleveland, Ohio, area were hosted by the Kirtland Visitors Center during Polish Heritage Days which featured demonstrations of the sawmill, family history research and Polish art.

The event served as the opening of a Polish religious art display that will be open until Oct. 25, and also as an opportunity to seek out Polish ancestors through the Church's genealogical resources.

More than 1,000 people residing within the boundaries of the Kirtland, Akron and Cleveland stakes viewed what is said to be the largest private collection of Polish religious art in the country, featuring the contemporary art works collection of Walter Whipple, a Brigham Young professor of Germanic and Slavic languages who began collecting the biblical sculptures and reverse glass paintings while serving as a mission president in Poland from 1991 to 1993.

The sculptures were carved from the wood of a Linden tree, the tree of choice in courtyards, markets, cemeteries and pilgrimage chapels in Poland.

Polish Heritage Days was organized by a committee comprised of members from the three stakes who worked with Elder T. Bowring Woodbury, director of the historic site in Kirtland.

"We were excited to have so many people," said Elder Woodbury. "When we learned we could show this large collection of religious art, we wanted to invite the Polish community of Cleveland to be part of a celebration of their heritage. As we began organizing, we found that many members in this area have a Polish family connection."

The co-chairmen from the Cleveland stake, Don Carlson and Jim Labiszak, are representative of the Polish community. Brother Labiszak, who has Polish ancestry and who serves on the Cleveland stake high council urged "members in the stakes to seek out and contact those of Polish heritage."

"Many read about the event in the paper, or received a flier we sent to area Polish clubs, parishes and genealogical societies," said Robin Falke, event coordinator. "There seemed to be as much interest in the family history search as there was about the religious art show."

Missionaries welcomed the visitors, showed them through the exhibit in the multi-purpose room and gave tours through the village's historic buildings. Missionaries also researched names of Polish ancestors that were brought to them by visitors who had been invited to bring information about a forbear born more than 100 years ago, or one who had immigrated in the latter part of the 19th century.

"Many of the people who brought names were excited to find a part of their heritage through the family records," said Elder Richard Bennett.

Edward Mendyka, director of the Polish Genealogical Society of Greater Cleveland, manned a table in the visitors center where he displayed samples of genealogical records. He encouraged visitors to take advantage of the resources of the Church.

Mr. Mendyka said he thoroughly enjoyed his time at the visitors center during the Polish Heritage Days.

"I've never been around a more courteous, friendly, generous, considerate group of people," he said to the Kirtland stake public affairs director Richard McClellan.

"Rest, assured, I shall always have good things to say about you and very pleasant memories," he said.