Haven’t you heard that this church was built with railway sleepers? The Kościół Matki Bożej Saletyńskiej stands here. It is a testament to faith and community. This Roman Catholic parish plays a vital role in the lives of many. It is part of the Ursus deanery within the Archdiocese of Warsaw.
The story of Kościół Matki Bożej Saletyńskiej begins humbly. It started as a филиал of the Church of Saint Teresa of the Child Jesus. That church was in Nowe Włochy. In 1957 a new church began construction in Nowe Włochy. The old wooden chapel was moved to Stare Włochy. It was constructed partly from railway sleepers. This marked the beginning of a new parish.
The parish of Kościół Matki Bożej Saletyńskiej was officially established in 1976. Before that it existed as a филиал. It was part of the Parish of Saint Teresa of the Child Jesus.
Over the years Kościół Matki Bożej Saletyńskiej underwent several expansions. It gradually transformed into its current form. The church took its present shape in the 1980s.
The origins of the Saletynian ministry connect to the history of the Parish of Saint Teresa. Julian Chróścicki created it in 1934. He was also the rector of the Higher Theological Seminary in Warsaw. During the German occupation he was arrested. He was imprisoned in Lublin Castle. He vowed to create a Marian worship center if he regained freedom.
Ks. Chróścicki fulfilled his promise in 1948. He brought the Saletinians to his parish. He signed an agreement with Ks. Michał Kolbuch. The parish pledged to divide the territory after the new church’s roof was completed. The Saletinians would receive the existing wooden chapel. It was located in Nowe Włochy. The monks would assist in pastoral care. They would also seek land for a church in Stare Włochy.
In November 1948 Ks. Władysław Baran took over as vicar of the Parish of Saint Teresa. From 1950 to 1953 a monastery was built at ul. Bratnia 5. Several plots were purchased at ul. Popularna for church construction. In the autumn of 1957 the wooden chapel was dismantled. Its elements were transported to the construction site. Julian Chróścicki blessed a temporary chapel at ul. Popularna in December 1958.
The Parish of Kościół Matki Bożej Saletyńskiej began as a филиал of Saint Teresa in August 1957. Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński entrusted the parish to the Saletinians. This was based on an agreement with Ks. Bronisław Młynarski in 1958. Władysław Baran became its first pastor. By the end of December 1959 the church at ul. Popularna was structurally complete with a roof.
In 1976 Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński established the independent Parish of Kościół Matki Bożej Saletyńskiej. In the early 1980s the Saletinians built a large rectory at ul. Popularna. They moved there in 1986. In the 1990s the church was expanded. A tower was added. The area around the church was paved. A stone figure of Our Lady of Saleta was erected.
Today the parish has over 5000 faithful. From 1958 to 1986 the monastery at ul. Bratnia 5 served as the parish rectory. From 1964 to 1970 it was the provincial house. After expansion it became the seat of the Provincial Curia.
The Kościół Matki Bożej Saletyńskiej continues to be a beacon of faith. It’s a place of community in Warsaw. Its history is a testament to dedication. It shows resilience and the enduring power of faith.