Why does this mid-nineteenth-century Gothic Revival church stand here? Our Lady of Czestochowa has a unique story. It wasn’t always a Polish Catholic church. Originally, this building was the New Church College. It served as the national seminary and school for the Swedenborgians.
Let’s step back in time. In 1845, Henry Bateman and Roger Crompton founded Emmanuel College. Later, in 1852, construction began on this very site. Edward Welch designed the initial block. It included a basement Sunday schoolroom and a double-height mission hall. Living quarters were on the top floor. A south stair tower completed the structure.
Crompton’s legacy included a generous donation. He left £10,000 to expand the building. Around 1860, plans were announced to establish a school here. Finch Hill & Paraire built the chapel and the south wing. The main construction took place between 1860 and 1862. However, the chapel wasn’t truly complete until 1879. That’s when Alexander Payne’s reredos was installed.
Now, let’s fast forward to 1894. Cardinal Vaughan established the Polish Catholic Mission in England and Wales. This mission served Polish refugees who arrived after an uprising. Initially, it was a joint Polish and Lithuanian mission. A separate Lithuanian mission was established in 1899.
In 1930, a significant change occurred. The former Swedenborgian church in Islington was purchased for £4,000. It became the new home for the Polish Catholic Mission. This marked a new chapter for this building and the Polish community.
Many furnishings within Our Lady of Czestochowa have Polish connections. The stained glass windows are particularly remarkable. Adam Bunsch, a Polish artist and soldier, created them. These vivid windows depict the struggle for Polish sovereignty. They were installed in 1945. Bunsch also created the painting behind the altar. Stanley Higgins designed the stained glass in the clerestory and East window, installed in 1952-3. J.Z. Henelt created the bronze bas-relief of the Stations of the Cross in 1945.
The church’s exterior is striking. The gabled Kentish ragstone and ashlar frontages stand out. They contrast with the surrounding stock brick terraces. This creates a bold presence in the local conservation area.
In 1953, the Polish community in London grew. Msgr. Francis Pluta’s leadership led to the construction of Our Lady of Czestochowa Polish Catholic Church in 1954. Fr. Joseph T. Dabrowski CSMA became a vicar here in 1966.
By the 1980s, the church became too small. It sponsored thousands of immigrants from Poland. The existing church couldn’t accommodate the growing congregation.
In 1992, Fr. Adam Gabriel CSMA became the pastor. Plans to rebuild the church materialized. On June 23, 1996, Bishop John Sherlock blessed the newly rebuilt church. Today, Fr. Zbigniew Rodzinka CSMA serves as the pastor.
Our Lady of Czestochowa stands as a testament to faith. It represents community and resilience. Its history reflects both its architectural evolution and the story of the Polish people in London. Take a moment to appreciate the blend of architectural styles and the vibrant story of this unique church.