“Can you imagine Warsaw without places of worship?”
Let’s explore Kościół parafialny pw. Najświętszej Maryi Panny Matki Kościoła. It is also known as the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary Mother of the Church. This Roman Catholic church is located on Domaniewska Street 20 in Warsaw. It is in the Ksawerów district of Mokotów.
The history of Kościół parafialny pw. Najświętszej Maryi Panny Matki Kościoła and its parish began in 1968. Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński entrusted pastoral care to Father Janusz Żyżaniewski. He was to care for the local community. The community lived in a newly built housing estate. The estate lacked a temple. The previous one had been destroyed during the Warsaw Uprising. The area included buildings inhabited by officers of the Ministry of Interior and the General Staff of the Polish Army.
Despite difficulties due to the political situation in the Polish People’s Republic, Father Żyżaniewski established a chapel. From 1971, he also conducted catechism classes there. From 1970, Father Stanisław Guzek helped organize the parish and temple. In 1974, Father Kazimierz Zoch-Chrabołowski joined them.
In 1981, permission was granted to build a temple. Marek Martens and Leszek Korolewicz designed the building. The unusual shape of the plot posed a challenge. The proximity of a power station was also a problem.
The parish was established on December 21, 1981. Archbishop Józef Glemp issued the decree during martial law. Construction began on June 1, 1982. On October 7, 1982, Cardinal Józef Glemp laid the cornerstone. On May 26, 1996, he consecrated the upper church.
The church building was designed by Marek Martens, Tadeusz Szumielewicz and Lech Kordowicz. The temple was designed in the spirit of the changes after the Second Vatican Council. The church was designed on a square plan with 24 m sides. Inside, the altar was placed as far into the center of the church as possible. The stained glass in the chapel depicts great Poles of the 20th century. These include Saint John Paul II and Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński. Also depicted are Saint Sister Faustina Kowalska, Saint Brother Albert Chmielowski and Saint Father Maximilian Maria Kolbe.
Father Janusz Żyżaniewski was the parish priest from 1981 to 2003. Father Jan Zieliński was the parish priest from 2003-2024. Since 2024, Father Piotr Odziemczyk has been the parish priest of Kościół parafialny pw. Najświętszej Maryi Panny Matki Kościoła.
Today, Kościół parafialny pw. Najświętszej Maryi Panny Matki Kościoła stands as a testament to faith. It also represents the resilience of the community. It overcame obstacles to create this sacred space.