“Did you know that Kościół św. Anny w Piasecznie was once called something completely different?” I ask. Before it was Kościół św. Anny w Piasecznie, this church held the name of All Saints.
Welcome to Kościół św. Anny w Piasecznie. This Roman Catholic parish church stands as a testament to Piaseczno’s rich history. It belongs to the Piaseczno deanery of the Warsaw Archdiocese.
Construction on Kościół św. Anny w Piasecznie began around 1550. It replaced a wooden church from 1350 dedicated to St. Matthew and St. Anne. The new church was built in the late Gothic style. Renaissance architectural elements were also included. This style is known as Masovian Gothic.
In 1565 a bishop’s visitation referred to the church as new. However by 1603, the church was already in poor condition. Bishop Wawrzyniec Goślicki noted a damaged roof during his visit.
In 1630 Bishop Maciej Łubieński of Poznań consecrated an altar. Despite its initial dedication to All Saints, a side altar was always devoted to St. Anne. The church suffered damage during the Polish-Swedish wars.
In 1736 Józef Aleksander Sułkowski, the starost of Piaseczno, initiated restoration. Karol Fryderyk Pöppelmann redesigned the interior in the Baroque style. The wall heights were changed. A new high altar was added to Kościół św. Anny w Piasecznie. Outside, a late Baroque statue of St. John of Nepomuk was placed on the east facade.
Around this time, the church was rededicated to St. Anne. Bishop Antoni Sebastian Dembowski performed the consecration. A tower or signature turret was centrally placed above the nave around 1833. That same year, Kościół św. Anny w Piasecznie was renovated and partially plastered.
During World War I in 1914, artillery fire damaged the church. In the interwar period, Kościół św. Anny w Piasecznie was renovated again. Before 1933 a metal roof was installed.
From 1958 to 1960 Kościół św. Anny w Piasecznie underwent external restoration to its Gothic style. The facade of the building and sacristy were cleaned. Rich decorations on the gables and walls were uncovered from under the plaster. In 1960 a side chapel dedicated to the Holy Cross was added. Lech Dunin designed it. An additional story was built above the sacristy and porch on the north side. Unfortunately, this negatively altered the church’s structure.
From 1979 to 1983, under Father Stefan Księżopolski’s care, the flooring was replaced. Central heating was installed. The historic altars underwent conservation.
Today as you stand before Kościół św. Anny w Piasecznie remember its long and varied past. From its wooden origins to its Gothic and Baroque transformations, this church has witnessed centuries of Piaseczno’s history. Its walls hold stories of war, restoration, and devotion.