Have you heard the tale of a dragon? It is connected to Saint Margaret the patron of this church. Here stands Parafia św. Małgorzaty Dziewicy i Męczennicy w Łomiankach. This Roman Catholic parish has a rich history. Its roots stretch back over half a millennium.
In 2011 the parish celebrated its 550th anniversary. The parish’s origins are in Kiełpin. This village borders Łomianki to the northwest. Kiełpin once held the manor of Jan. He was a “Nałęcz” coat-of-arms nobleman. Jan served as voivode for Prince Konrad II of Mazovia. A chapel likely stood near the manor.
The Rogalici family from Zaborów became patrons in the 15th century. They were later known as Kiełpińscy. Andrzej was the oldest recorded parish priest. In 1499 he made an agreement with Elżbieta and her sons. Their names were Jan and Ścibor Kiełpiński. The parish was neither large nor wealthy. In the 16th century it included only a few villages. These were mainly inhabited by Kiełpiński and Łomiński families and their subjects.
The church remained wooden for centuries. This lasted from the Middle Ages through the 19th century. Parish patronage changed with Kiełpin and Łomianki ownership. The Kiełpin church was wooden until the interwar period.
A visitation in 1728 described the church. It had a single nave with two chapels. These later became a treasury and sacristy. A tower stood at the facade’s base. The tower had a porch entrance. The main altar held an image of the Virgin Mary. Side altars featured Saint Anne and Saint Margaret. The argenteria was modest. There was no monstrance only a pyx and chalice. Both were gilded inside.
Based on old maps the church was expanded not rebuilt. Photos from the early 20th century show an extension. It was added to the entrance side. This addition was similar in width to the nave but taller. A small porch preceded the entrance. The belfry was moved above the addition. The main altar was moved to the middle of the presbytery. This created space behind the altar connected to the sacristy and porch.
To avoid flooding a new brick church was built. The location was higher in Łomianki. In 1925 Stanisław Brzóska and his wife Czesława donated land. Ludwik Kirstowski designed the new church in 1926. The church’s architecture resembled Polish Baroque style. It was designed as a brick basilica without towers. The presbytery was the same width as the nave. Chapels formed a transept within the structure.
The church was built between 1926 and 1929. It used a half-timbered construction. The lower part was filled with bricks. Old wood from the Kiełpin church was used in the upper part. The roof was planned with traditional ceramic tiles. However sheet metal was used probably for cost reasons. A clock was planned for the main facade. It was never installed. Other details were omitted due to finances.
The church suffered damage during World War II. Furnishings were damaged or stolen. This included the windows. The early postwar years were spent on restoration. Initially the parish did not consider demolishing the interwar church. In the mid-1980s a concept emerged. The nave would be demolished. The facade would remain. A new church would be rebuilt in the same form. It would use modern materials. Marian Sokół created a conceptual design in 1987.
The Metropolitan Curia of Warsaw approved it in 1990. The City Conservator of Monuments and the Department of Culture and Art also agreed. The new building would include an exhibition hall. It would also have apartments for vicars and church staff. This concept remained on paper.
The need for a new church arose from Łomianki’s population growth. The interwar church was too small. It could not accommodate the faithful even on regular Sundays. The building’s condition was also poor. Two conceptual designs were ready by December 1976.
General agreement for a new church was obtained in 1977. A cornerstone containing a relic from Saint Peter’s tomb was acquired. Pope Paul VI personally consecrated and offered it to the parish. Bishop Jerzy Modzelewski led the cornerstone laying ceremony. Bishop Stanisław Stefanek assisted on October 15 1980. Cardinal Józef Glemp consecrated the lower church on December 4 1983. He also completed its consecration on October 1 1988.
In other important events Pope John Paul II gifted relics of Saint Margaret to the parish. This occurred on November 13 1986. Today Parafia św. Małgorzaty continues its mission. It serves the spiritual needs of Łomianki. The church stands as a testament to faith resilience and community.