Remember the vigil of Pentecost in 1979? Pope John Paul II spoke of renewing the face of the earth. That spirit infuses the Kościół parafialny pw. Zesłania Ducha Świętego. This church stands as a testament to faith. It is located on Broniewskiego 44 in Warsaw.
The Kościół parafialny pw. Zesłania Ducha Świętego is unique. It is the only church in Warsaw with this dedication. The parish itself formed in 1984. It serves around 18000 residents in Bielany and Żoliborz. Since 2007, Father Sławomir Nowakowski has been the pastor.
Look closely at the church’s features. The tabernacle doors bear a Gothic inscription. It quotes John Paul II. “Niech zstąpi Duch Twój i odnowi oblicze ziemi, tej ziemi”. This translates to “Let your Spirit descend and renew the face of the earth, this earth”. Above the altar, Latin words declare “Veni, sancte Spiritus reple Tuorum corda Fidelium”. This means “Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful”. At the back, a stained-glass rosette depicts the descent of the Holy Spirit. It shows the twelve Apostles in the Upper Room.
Stanisław Sołtyk designed the church. Andrzej Krawczyk oversaw its construction. Jerzy Machaj, a sculptor, created the decorative elements. Machaj’s students helped craft the main altar. They also made other decorations. They completed the work after Machaj’s death. They consulted with the pastor.
Inside, a side chapel houses an image of Our Lady of Perpetual Help. It is surrounded by the mysteries of the Rosary. A tabernacle hides beneath one mystery. A space for displaying the Blessed Sacrament is nearby. In 2003, the Mysteries of Light were added. These commemorate John Paul II’s addition to the Rosary. Stained-glass windows adorn the chapel. One honors Pope John Paul II. The other honors Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński.
The interior windows feature stained glass. The largest is a three-meter rosette. It represents the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles. The lower windows contain ten stained-glass images. These depict the Holy Spirit in Scripture. Hanna Szczypińska, a renowned artist, designed them.
Outside, a tower with a clock marks the time. The clock is illuminated at night. The church is enclosed by a fence. Trees and flowers beautify the grounds.
The parish’s history began within the vast parish of St. Josaphat. In the 1970s, the Archdiocese decided to create a new parish in Piaski. Father Antoni Piascik was assigned to build the church in 1982. He secured a location near Park Olszyna.
In July 1983, the site was fenced. A cross was erected. People gathered to pray the Rosary. Opposition arose from residents of nearby buildings. Despite this, Bishop Jerzy Modzelewski instructed Father Piascik to celebrate Mass on the site. The first Mass was on September 18, 1983.
Bishop Jerzy Modzelewski consecrated the site in October 1983. A chapel was built in November. The first Mass was celebrated there on December 4. The parish was officially established in September 1984. Bishop Jerzy Modzelewski consecrated the chapel. Father Antoni Piascik became the parish priest. Construction of the church began in 1987. It concluded in 2000.
Cardinal Józef Glemp consecrated the Kościół parafialny pw. Zesłania Ducha Świętego on May 4, 2002. This act solidified the church’s place. It stands as a beacon of faith in Warsaw.