Think back to 1693 when Stanisław Herakliusz Lubomirski founded a church and monastery here. This is Parafia św. Bonifacego w Warszawie-Czerniakowie. Lubomirski was a friend to the Bernardine order. He started building a brick church shaped like a symmetrical cross. The church featured a dome and a hexagonal presbytery. Tylman of Gameren, King Jan III Sobieski’s architect, generally oversaw the work. Izydor Affaita directly carried out Tylman’s plans.
The church is dedicated to Saint Anthony. Though small, it makes a big impression. Late Baroque architecture and art are on display. Rich paintings and stucco decorations cover the vault and dome interior. The decorations inspire awe in all who enter. Wreaths of flowers, leaves, and fruits made of plaster adorn the space. Angels sometimes hold these wreaths. Fresco paintings on the walls, vault, and dome show scenes from Saint Anthony of Padua’s life. Experts say the church resembles the Saints Peter and Paul Church in Vilnius.
Originally, the church had three altars. The main altar featured an image of Saint Anthony of Padua. Baron de Tassis gifted it to Lubomirski. Side altars displayed Saint Francis of Assisi and the “Lamentation of Christ.” A crypt beneath the church served as the Lubomirski family mausoleum. Lubomirski intended the Czerniaków church to be their family mausoleum.
The monastery was founded in 1693. The Bernardine order accepted the foundation. Father Stanisław of Grodzisk delegated Father Krzysztof Rozrażewski to handle formalities. Bishop Stanisław Witwicki of Poznań oversaw Czerniaków. Bernardine monks were introduced to the monastery on December 15 1693. A grand procession marked the event. Bishop Witwicki handed the church and monastery to Father Rozrażewski.
Lubomirski obtained relics of Saint Boniface from Pope Innocent XI in 1693. The saint’s skeleton was placed in a glass coffin beneath the main altar. In 1728, the Bernardines obtained a feast day for Saint Boniface. Crowds flocked to Czerniaków each year for the Saint Boniface celebration. Warsaw residents considered Saint Boniface their patron.
In 1864, authorities suppressed the monastery. Monks were moved to a monastery in Koło. The Czerniaków monastery was occupied by Russian troops. The church became a branch of the Wilanów parish in 1904. Parafia św. Bonifacego was established in 1916.
Fortunately, bombs spared the church in 1944. Bernardine fathers returned to the monastery in 1945. They began repairs. The parish grew. A new church became necessary due to the growing parish. Construction began in the 1980s. Cardinal Józef Glemp consecrated the new church in 2000. Saint John of Dukla is the patron of the new church.
Parafia św. Bonifacego has a rich history. It has evolved over centuries. It remains a vital spiritual center. The parish continues to serve the community.