How about stepping back in time to 1540? That’s when the Parafia Świętego Stanisława Kostki w Okuniewie was first established by Bishop Jakub Buczacki of Płock. This parish has a rich history. It has seen noble owners and even served as a filming location.
Parafia Świętego Stanisława Kostki w Okuniewie is part of the Roman Catholic Church. It belongs to the deanery of Sulejówek. Also, it falls under the archdiocese of Warsaw. Since 2021, Father Leszek Bieńkowski has been the parish priest.
The parish includes several nearby towns and villages. These are Budziska, Michałów, Okuniew, Zagórze, and part of Zielonka. The church you see today wasn’t the first. The first church was wooden. Stanisław Okuń, a landowner, built it in 1538. Sadly, Swedish invaders burned it down in 1656. Another wooden church was built in 1692 by Stefan Grzybowski.
The current brick church was constructed between 1828 and 1835. Jan Łubieński funded it. He owned the Okuniew estate. Jakub Kubicki designed the church. He was a student of Dominik Merlini. However, some sources claim Chrystian Piotr Aigner was the architect. Bishop Tadeusz Łubieński consecrated it in 1847.
Interestingly, King Charles XII of Sweden quartered here in 1703. A battle between Swedish forces and Russian-Polish-Saxon troops occurred then. From 1815 to 1831, Okuniew was the seat of a district. During the November Uprising, Polish troops were stationed here before the Battle of Dobre.
Parafia Świętego Stanisława Kostki w Okuniewie has undergone several renovations. These took place in 1903, 1935, and 1966-67. In the interwar period, it was a large and active parish. It stretched from Sulejówek to Ossów. Since 1975, the Missionary Franciscan Sisters of Mary have resided here.
Did you know that Parafia Świętego Stanisława Kostki w Okuniewie was featured in the TV series “Plebania”? The church and rectory served as locations for the show. The church’s architecture is distinct. Tuscan pilasters articulate the interior walls. Arched niches house windows and altars. A choir loft sits above three arches. The facade features Ionic pilasters. A triangular pediment displays a carved Crucifixion scene.
Inside Parafia Świętego Stanisława Kostki w Okuniewie, you will find historical treasures. Most of the antique furnishings date back to the 18th century. The main altar displays a painting of the Holy Trinity. It was created by an Italian school in the early 18th century. As you leave, remember the Parafia Świętego Stanisława Kostki w Okuniewie. It is a testament to faith, art, and Polish history.