Kościół parafialny pw. Objawienia Pańskiego

“A church built on faith and resilience,” whispered an elderly woman beside me, her eyes fixed on the Kościół parafialny pw. Objawienia Pańskiego. Her words sparked my interest in this unassuming yet captivating structure in Warsaw’s Włochy district. The Kościół parafialny pw. Objawienia Pańskiego, or the Church of the Epiphany, stands as a testament to the enduring spirit of the Evangelical-Augsburg Parish of the Holy Trinity. Its story begins in 1936, when the Koelichen family generously donated land for its construction. A committee, led by Senator Ludwik J. Evert and Edward Koelichen, quickly formed. Donations poured in, and the cornerstone was laid on November 15, 1936. The Goetzen brothers, architects, offered their services pro bono, and Józef Scholtz oversaw the construction. A small parish house with a hall for services was the first structure to rise. Then came the church itself, connected to the parish hall. On January 6, 1939, the Kościół parafialny pw. Objawienia Pańskiego was consecrated, even though the interior remained unfinished. Pastor August Loth led the consecration, while Pastor Zygmunt Michelis delivered the sermon. Mieczysław Rüger presented a report on the construction progress. Sadly, Józef Scholtz passed away in March 1939, leaving his sons to complete the work. World War II brought further challenges. The church was occupied, and services only resumed in 1946. Though windows were missing, the wartime altar and pulpit survived. The crucifix and candlesticks were recovered, and communion vessels arrived as a gift from the Recovered Territories. The post-war era saw the formation of a new church board, with Karol Lange as chairman. Fundraising efforts began, and the church was gradually repaired and fenced. By 1951, services moved from the hall back into the church itself, and heating was installed. A major renovation in 1965 led to the church’s re-consecration. A copy of Hoffman’s painting, “Christ in Gethsemane,” painted by Eliza von Everth, graced the altar, relocated from the former cantor’s office in Pruszków. The church also received the gift of an organ. Later renovations brought central heating, new lighting, and wood paneling. A copy of “The Last Supper,” donated by Rev. Ryszard Trenkler, adorned the altar. A new altar platform was built, and a simple lectern replaced the pulpit. In 1985, a memorial plaque honoring Rev. Mieczysław Rüger was unveiled, marking the 10th anniversary of his death. The name Kościół Objawienia Pańskiego, or Church of the Epiphany, became official in 2017.