Historic Sites of Manitoba: St. Andrew Bobola Roman Catholic Church (541 Marion Street, Winnipeg)

This Roman Catholic church on Marion Street in Winnipeg was designed by architects George William Northwood and Cyril William Upton Chivers. It was constructed in 1953 by its congregants, mostly Polish immigrants who had arrived here following the Second World War, under the supervisor of Pastor W. H. Pardyka. The cost of construction was estimated to be about $70,000, with funds raised in part through the sale of paintings by noted artist Christo Stefanoff (1898-1966).

On the church exterior are plaques commemorating Poland-born Pope Karol Wojtyla / John Paul II (1920-2005) and Polish President Lech Kaczynski who perished in an airplane crash in 2010.

St. Andrew Bobola Roman Catholic Church

St. Andrew Bobola Roman Catholic Church (September 2018)
Source: George Penner

Aerial view of St. Andrew Bobola Roman Catholic Church

Aerial view of St. Andrew Bobola Roman Catholic Church (June 2024)
Source: George Penner

Interior of St. Andrew Bobola Roman Catholic Church

Interior of St. Andrew Bobola Roman Catholic Church (September 2018)
Source: George Penner

Plaque commemorating Pope John Paul II on the exterior of St. Andrew Bobola Roman Catholic Church

Plaque commemorating Pope John Paul II on the exterior of St. Andrew Bobola Roman Catholic Church (September 2025)
Source: Glen Toews

Plaque commemorating the death of Polish President Lech Kaczynski on the exterior of St. Andrew Bobola Roman Catholic Church

Plaque commemorating the death of Polish President Lech Kaczynski on the exterior of St. Andrew Bobola Roman Catholic Church (September 2025)
Source: Glen Toews

Site Coordinates (lat/long): N49.88228, W97.10096
denoted by symbol on the map above

See also:

Historic Sites of Manitoba: Polish Air Crash Monument (Abinojii Mikanah, Winnipeg)

Sources:

“Famed Bulgar here to aid church,” Winnipeg Tribune, 23 December 1952, page 15.

“Corner stone of new church to be blessed,” Winnipeg Tribune, 7 November 1953, page 9.

We thank Glen Toews for providing additional information used here.

This page was prepared by George Penner.

Page revised: 21 September 2025

Download the iOS version of MHS InSiteMHS InSite: Historic Sites in your pocketDownload the Android version of MHS InSite

Historic Sites of Manitoba

This is a collection of historic sites in Manitoba compiled by the Manitoba Historical Society. The information is offered for historical interest only.

Browse lists of:
Museums/Archives | Buildings | Monuments | Cemeteries | Locations | Other

Inclusion in this collection does not confer special status or protection. Official heritage designation may only come from municipal, provincial, or federal governments. Some sites are on private property and permission to visit must be secured from the owner.

Site information is provided by the Manitoba Historical Society as a free public service only for non-commercial purposes.

Send corrections and additions to this page
to the MHS Webmaster at webmaster@mhs.mb.ca.

Search Tips | Suggest an Historic Site | FAQ

Help us keep history alive!