Remember those who sacrificed. That is the silent command embedded within the very stones of Kościół pw. Matki Boskiej Królowej Polski Męczenników. This church stands as a sanctuary. It is a testament to Polish martyrs.
Kościół pw. Matki Boskiej Królowej Polski Męczenników is located in Warsaw. More precisely it is in the Praga-Południe district. This Roman Catholic church belongs to the Grochów deanery. It is part of the Warsaw-Praga diocese.
In 1985, residents sought permission to build a church. They lived in the Kinowa housing estate. On January 14, 1987, they received a decree. It indicated a “location”.
Construction of a temporary chapel began on June 10, 1987. On March 15, 1988, the parish of Matki Bożej Królowej Polskich Męczenników was erected. This was by decree of the Primate of Poland. Father Krzysztof Jackowski became the first parish priest.
Construction of the Kościół pw. Matki Boskiej Królowej Polski Męczenników began on May 4, 1994. The Architecture Department approved the final building plans. Jerzy Kumelowski designed the church. The building opened for liturgical services on December 31, 2000. In 2002, they installed 23-voice organs. These came from old elements of the National Philharmonic organs.
Bishop Kazimierz Romaniuk established this sanctuary. It commemorates Polish martyrdom. Father Krzysztof Jackowski had the vision. In 1985, he was tasked with organizing the parish. He also had to build a church for the Kinowa estate residents.
On May 1, a service was held in front of the chapel from 1829. On May 3, the first Mass was celebrated. Soon, the square hosted regular Sunday Masses. Occasional services also took place here. A temporary chapel was built in 1987.
Efforts to obtain permission to build a church began. On March 15, 1988, Cardinal Józef Glemp erected the parish. Construction started in March 1989. It was carried out in stages. First, the parish house was built. Later, a catechism room followed. Construction of the church began in May 1994. On December 31, 2000, Bishop Kazimierz Romaniuk consecrated the church. This was as a votive offering.
The Kościół pw. Matki Boskiej Królowej Polski Męczenników honors Mary. She is the Queen of Poland. It commemorates those who trusted her. They sacrificed their lives for Poland. They include saints and the blessed. Some rest in unmarked graves. Their faith and love are told through history and tradition. A few survivors share the martyrology of Poland. They testify to recent decades.
Inside Kościół pw. Matki Boskiej Królowej Polski Męczenników, the decor commemorates Polish martyrdom. Memorial plaques honor freedom fighters. They also honor victims of totalitarian regimes. These include the Nazi and communist eras. One plaque quotes: “A homeland is land and graves. Nations losing memory lose life. To Polish Martyrs 1939. 1 IX 1989.”
Jerzy Kumelowski designed the church on a rectangular plan. It has a gable roof. A cradle-like lunette runs along the roof’s ridge. This includes vertical windows on both sides. Crosses are at the edges of the lunette. The facades feature red brick. They also have reinforced concrete slabs.
The entrance portal has an openwork tower. It consists of five concrete arches. The highest three have bells. The middle one has a clock in a circle. The lowest houses the entrance. An image of “Jesus, I trust in You” is inscribed in a circle. A plaque reads: “This is God’s House, here is the Gate of Heaven.”
The facade facing Stanów Zjednoczonych Street is white and red. White walls have red brick profiles. Fragments are covered with red clinker tiles.
Inside, glass and cast iron doors lead in. A marble altar stands opposite the entrance. Above it is a sculpture of “Our Lady with the Child against the background of the cross”. The Kościół pw. Matki Boskiej Królowej Polski Męczenników stands as a beacon. It shines for those who remember. It reminds all of sacrifice and faith.