St. Stanislaus Kostka Church (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)
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St. Stanislaus Kostka Roman Catholic Church
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| Location | 21st and Smallman Sts., Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania |
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| Coordinates | 40°27′8.36″N 79°59′1″W / 40.4523222°N 79.98361°WCoordinates: 40°27′8.36″N 79°59′1″W / 40.4523222°N 79.98361°W |
| Built | 1891-1892 |
| Architect | Frederick C. Sauer (1860–1942) |
| Architectural style | Romanesque |
| NRHP Reference # | 72001089 |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP | September 14, 1972 |
| Designated PHLF | 1970 |
St. Stanislaus Kostka Church in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, referred to in Polish as Kościół Świętego Stanisława Kostki is a historic church of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh, one of the city's oldest churches. Located in the Strip District in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States, it is a prime example of the so-called 'Polish Cathedral' style of churches. It is known also as 21st and Smallman Street Church. It is listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.
The congregation was formed in 1873 when 200 Polish families banded together to form the St. Stanislaus Kostka Beneficial Society. The first pastor was Antoni Klawiter, who arrived in October 1875 and left in 1877. The availability of unskilled mill jobs in Pittsburgh in the late 19th century attracted a flood of immigrants from Eastern Europe. By 1915, more than 80% of Strip District residents were foreign-born, and 30% were Polish. St. Stanislaus Kostka Church was constructed in 1891, designed by Pittsburgh architect Frederick C. Sauer (1860–1942).
In March 1936 there was a disastrous flood on Saint Patrick's Day. Water flooded the church as high as the top of the wainscoting on the walls. The pews were afloat and the Pastor was trapped in the rectory on the second floor. In December 1936, an explosion at the Pittsburgh Banana Company weakened the towers and the original baroque style bonnets were removed. Examples of the bonnet style are still found on the top of the sidewall pilasters and the ventilation cupola on the center of the roof. Three of the medallion windows over the altars were also covered over.
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