Polish Hill is a neighbourhood in the American city of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Its Polish roots date back to the second half of the 19th century, when a great wave of immigrants from Europe came to the United States for work. At that time, the steel industry was flourishing in Pittsburgh. No advanced knowledge of English was required for the hard and simple work.

Location and historical outline

In the second half of the 19th century, huge numbers of Polish immigrants settled in Pittsburgh, in what is now known as Polish Hill. The district was originally referred to as "Herron Hill". After World War II, the district changed its character somewhat. Wealthier residents moved to the suburbs. This was linked to the government-supported process of highway construction, which was intended to help relieve the central parts of the cities of their dense populations.

However, a considerable number of citizens of Polish origin remained in the area. The intimate character of the district today attracts new residents. The district is well organised and well connected.

Today, the district borders five Pittsburgh districts: Lower Lawrenceville to the north, North Oakland to the southeast, Upper Hill District to the south, Bedford Dwellings to the southwest and Strip District to the west and northwest. Polish Hill also meets (diagonally and without a direct boundary) with the Bloomfield District to the east, with the point of contact being the centre of the Bloomfield Bridge. The district is represented on the Pittsburgh City Council by a councillor from District 7. It is located in Pittsburgh's 6th ward.

Immaculate Heart of Mary Church

Polish immigrants began to settle on Herron Hill from 1885. Twelve years later, the Poles already had their own church. In 1897, the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church was built. The building is one of the oldest and largest churches in the city. The parish has hosted famous Poles, including Karol Wojtyla (when he was still bishop) and military men such as General Józef Haller and General Tadeusz Bór-Komorowski.