From the ashes of communist ideology, a testament to faith arose. This is the story of Kościół pw. Świętego Włodzimierza. Kościół pw. Świętego Włodzimierza stands proudly in the heart of Warsaw’s Bródno district. It’s a symbol of resilience against a regime that sought to erase God. The communist government, like the builders of the biblical Tower of Babel, focused on earthly structures. Towering apartment blocks seemed to reach for the clouds, a declaration of man’s self-sufficiency. There was no room for God, no room for crosses in their plans.
But God, as the saying goes, works in mysterious ways. In 1982, amidst the oppressive atmosphere of martial law, a spark of hope ignited. The idea of a third Catholic church in Bródno began to take shape. The existing two parishes, Matki Bożej Różańcowej and Świętej Marii Magdaleny, struggled to serve the growing population. A new church became a necessity. For eight long years, the project faced opposition. The communist local authorities presented numerous obstacles. Finally, a vision emerged. A plot of land at the intersection of Rembielińska and Kondratowicza Streets was identified as the future site of Kościół pw. Świętego Włodzimierza.
The task of establishing this new parish fell to Father Henryk Zarasi. He became the driving force behind the project. He oversaw the design, the construction of a temporary chapel, and finally, the church itself. The prayers of Bródno’s residents, particularly those from the Matki Bożej Różańcowej parish, accompanied his efforts. The temporary chapel quickly rose, and the first mass was celebrated on November 12, 1989. On July 1, 1990, the parish of Kościół pw. Świętego Włodzimierza was officially established, with Father Zarasi as its first pastor. In the fall of 1992, permission was granted to build the church itself, and work began immediately. A cornerstone from the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra was laid on September 19, 1999.
A significant event in the parish’s history was the first mission in 2000, led by Capuchin fathers. Bishop Kazimierz Romaniuk consecrated a 12-meter missionary cross. This cross was placed atop the church tower. On May 5, 2002, Bishop Romaniuk celebrated the first mass in the newly completed Kościół pw. Świętego Włodzimierza. Today, this monumental church stands as a symbol of faith’s enduring power. Inside, the single-nave sanctuary evokes the vast steppe lands where St. Vladimir brought Christianity. The main altar features an image of the patron saint, flanked by two angels.
On the right stands an icon of Our Lady of Vladimir. On the left, an image of Our Lady of Perpetual Help graces the wall. Images of St. Jerome and St. Basil, patrons of nearby streets, adorn the left wall. Opposite, images of St. Wojciech and St. Stanislaw, patron saints of Poland, connect the church to the nation’s history. Two side chapels are dedicated to Our Lady of Częstochowa and the Divine Mercy. Kościół pw. Świętego Włodzimierza is more than just a building. It is a symbol of hope. It represents the triumph of faith over adversity. It is a testament to the power of prayer and the dedication of a community.