Our Founder
Father Paul Joseph Breza  (1937–2025)

The founder of our museum, Father Paul Joseph Breza, was a pillar of faith, culture, and community in Winona, Minnesota. He leaves behind a legacy that is both profound and deeply cherished.

Born on June 23, 1937, in Winona, Father Breza was a son of the Mississippi River, raised in the vibrant Polish-American neighborhood of the city’s East End. From an early age, it was clear that his life would be one of service—to God, to his neighbors, and to his heritage. He answered the call to the priesthood and was ordained on June 1, 1963, serving the Diocese of Winona with devotion and humility for nearly five decades.

But Father Breza was more than a priest—he was a bridge between generations, a keeper of stories, a champion of identity. He founded the Polish Cultural Institute and Museum in 1979, a place that became not only a repository of treasured artifacts but a sanctuary for memory and belonging. Through his tireless efforts, he preserved the voices of Polish and Kashubian immigrants and ensured their stories would live on in the hearts of their descendants and the community.

He was instrumental in forging international bonds, establishing a sister city relationship between Winona and Bytów, Poland, in 2004. His work reached across oceans, reminding us all that heritage is not a relic of the past, but a living, breathing part of who we are.

Those who knew him will remember his deep, gentle voice, his kind eyes, his unwavering commitment to truth and tradition. Even in retirement, he remained active—offering Mass, working in diocesan archives, mentoring young people, and always, always advocating for the culture that shaped him.

In 2013, the Republic of Poland honored him with the Cavalier’s Cross of the Order of Merit—recognition that spoke not only to his work, but to the love and passion with which he carried it out.