Before you stands the Kościół pw. św. Łukasza Ewangelisty. It may look like a simple church, but it has a history rich with twists and turns. What you see today is the result of a constant struggle – both against the forces of nature and the forces of bureaucracy.
The parish of St. Luke the Evangelist was established in 1992. It was carved out of the larger parish of the Blessed Virgin Mary, but the community had been growing for a long time before that. They started holding masses in 1990, and they were already looking forward to building a permanent church. The first church was made of wood and was brought from Jedlnia, a town near Radom. Unfortunately, it wasn’t meant to last.
In 2004, a fire engulfed the wooden church. It happened in the early morning hours on September 24th, and the whole building was reduced to ashes in a matter of minutes. Luckily, the fire fighters were able to save a few precious things, including a chalice, a small crucifix, and a reliquary with a fragment of St. Pio’s relics. This particular relic had been brought back from Italy just a few days before the fire. It seemed to be a sign of divine intervention, as it was untouched by the fire, even though it was kept in a safe along with other items that melted in the heat.
The community, however, was not deterred. They built a temporary chapel on the grounds of the new parish house, and they continued to hold services there. The construction of the new church began shortly after the fire. It was a long and difficult process, but finally, after twelve years of waiting and numerous legal battles, the construction was able to proceed. The new church, designed by the renowned Lodz architect Aleksej Dworczak, is a beautiful edifice. It stands as a monument to the resilience and faith of the parishioners.