How did the Parafia Świętego Izydora w Markach come to be? This is a story of faith industry and community spirit. We are standing before a testament to Marki’s history. The Parafia Świętego Izydora w Markach stands as a beacon of faith. It also reflects the town’s growth.
Marki was a small village mentioned in the 16th century. By 1880 it had only 100 residents. The village grew because of brickyards and a wool mill. English industrialists the Briggs brothers and Ernest Posselt built the mill.
The local people used churches in nearby Grodzisk and Kobyłka. These were five kilometers away. Marki’s industrial growth increased the population. This inspired the idea to build a church here.
Residents and Reverend Jakub Dąbrowski supported this idea. The Briggs brothers helped even though they were Evangelical-Augsburg. They were committed to the local community. The landowners of Marki donated land. The Kaniak, Kiełek, Kopański, Mark and Michalski families gave 2.5 hectares. Wacław Trembiński and Jan Menzel each gave 100000 bricks. They owned brickyards in Struga and Marki.
It took years to get permission from the Tsarist authorities to build. The raw construction cost about 50000 rubles. The Briggs brothers and their partner donated 15000 silver rubles. Florentyna Amalia the wife of John Briggs gave 5000 rubles. Reverend Jakub Dąbrowski gave 3000 rubles. Maximilian Małachowski donated a large sum. He owned a tile factory and gave roof tiles. People collected 13000 rubles in donations.
Permission to build finally came on March 23 1899 from St. Petersburg. The cornerstone was laid on May 3 1899. Local brickyards supplied the bricks. Parishioners helped with the construction. The external walls were up in seven months. The walls were consecrated on December 10 1899.
The tower construction and church furnishing lasted until 1903. The Zwoliński brothers cast two bells in 1903. A 2.5-meter iron cross was placed on the tower. Flora Briggs paid for ironwork crystal chandeliers oak doors and a harmonium. Jan Hinz and Józef Dziekoński designed the church. Aleksander Kakowski consecrated it in 1919. The Tsarist authorities did not allow a parish for many years. Despite the church’s existence and pastoral care.
In August 1920 Polish staff officers stayed at the rectory. They participated in the Battle of Warsaw.
The Dom Katolicki opened in 1935. The hall hosted theatrical performances. A film projector was purchased in 1938. Proceeds went to the poorest parishioners. German troops destroyed the tower in 1944. They severely damaged the church. Rebuilding lasted until 1961. The stained glass windows were installed in 1967. Jerzy Olszewski’s studio created them. Halina Cieślińska-Brzeska designed them.
Today the Parafia Świętego Izydora w Markach stands as a symbol. It represents resilience community and faith. It is a reminder of Marki’s rich history. It is also a testament to its enduring spirit.