Kościół Objawienia Pańskiego

“A church built on a gift?” I overheard a fellow traveler ask. We stood before the Kościoł Objawienia Pańskiego, bathed in the warm Warsaw sun. This Lutheran church, nestled in the Stare Włochy neighborhood, has a history as unique as its architecture. The story of Kościoł Objawienia Pańskiego begins in 1936 with a generous donation of land. The Koelichen family gifted a 2000-square-meter plot for the construction of this very church. A committee quickly formed, led by Senator Ludwik J. Evert and Edward Koelichen. Their vision began to materialize, brick by brick. Initially, a small parish house was built, housing a modest hall for worship. Then, the church itself arose, connected to this parish hall. Kościoł Objawienia Pańskiego was consecrated on January 6, 1939, even though the interior was not fully complete. Pastor August Loth led the consecration ceremony, with Pastor Zygmunt Michelis delivering the sermon. Imagine the scene: a brand new church, filled with hope and promise, on the eve of World War II. Sadly, the war interrupted further development. The building was occupied, serving as a quartermaster’s office. Regular worship couldn’t resume until 1946. The church faced significant challenges. Windows were missing, and resources were scarce. Yet, amidst the devastation, the altar and pulpit built during the war survived. The crucifix and candlesticks were recovered, and communion vessels arrived as a gift from the Recovered Territories. The congregation rallied, led by Karol Lange, to raise funds for repairs. Services initially took place in the small hall attached to the church, due to the missing windows. Through their dedication, the church was renovated and a fence was built between 1946 and 1950. By 1951, services moved back into the main church, and heating was installed. Later, in 1965, a major renovation took place. The church was re-consecrated. A copy of Hoffman’s painting, “Christ in Gethsemane,” painted by Eliza von Everth, was placed above the altar. This artwork was relocated from the former cantor’s office in Pruszków. The church also received a gift of an organ. Further renovations continued to enhance the beauty of Kościoł Objawienia Pańskiego. Central heating and new lighting were installed. Wood paneling was added, and a copy of “The Last Supper,” donated by Reverend Ryszard Trenkler, adorned the altar. A new altar platform was constructed, and a simple lectern replaced the original pulpit in the presbytery. The church received a new altar cloth, a gift from the Women’s Circle. In 1985, a memorial plaque was dedicated to Reverend Mieczysław Rüger, commemorating the 10th anniversary of his death. The name “Kościoł Objawienia Pańskiego,” meaning Church of the Epiphany, became its official name in 2017. So here we stand, before Kościoł Objawienia Pańskiego, a testament to resilience and community spirit. From a plot of land donated by a generous family, to a fully functioning church, its journey echoes the struggles and triumphs of the people who built and preserved it.