HISTORY OF THE PARISH
The beginning of mariavitism in Warsaw goes back to the first years of the 20th century. It is related to the activity of mariavite clergy in neighbouring villages (Leszno by Błonie and Cegłów by Mińsk Mazowiecki). On request of Warsaw dwellers, interested in the new religious movement, the priest Szczepan Żebrowski was delegated in 1906 to serve worshippers in Warsaw. Soon the number of mariavites in Warsaw reached ca.15,000. They were divided into three parishes had three brick churches in Szara Street (Powiśle district), Karolkowa Street (Wola district) and Skaryszewska Street (Praga district). The mariavite parishes were the centres of not only religious life but also social and charity activities.
In the mid-war period as as result of decisions taken by the contemporary leader of the Church, bishop Michał Kowalski, mariavites in Warsaw lost the churches in Skaryszewska and Karolkowa Streets. As a result and following the exclusion of two priests (Szczepan Żebrowski in 1911 and Alfons Ryttel in 1923) serving Warsaw parishes from the Mariavite congregation the number of worshippers decreased.
In 1934 mariavites from Wola district finished construction of their new parish church located in the mariavite cemetery in Warsaw in Wolska Street.
Mariavites in Warsaw suffered big losses in the second world war. Both remaining churches (in Szara Street and Wolska Street) were destroyed during the September 1939 campaign (at the beginning of the World War 2) and the Warsaw uprising in 1944. After the war, the real estate at Szara Street was nationalised by communist authorities. During the war or shortly thereafter, all clergy that were involved in serving the parishes passed away. Only a handful of parishioners remained.
During 1945-1954 the parish was served by clergymen from neighbouring parishes. In 1955 Church authorities nominated priest Bernard Kukla the pastor. He was put in charge of the reconstruction of the church in Wolska Street. Thanks to his devotion, the genorisity of mariavites and the support of ecumenical organisations, on October 23, 1960 the Prime Bishop Michał Sitek was able to consecrate the parish church devoted to Our Lady of Continuous Help.
Seven years later, on April 8, 1967 bishop Innocenty Gołębiowski consecrated a 7-stop pipe organ. At the end of this year, father Bernard Kukla died and was buried on the local cemetery. Priest Łukasz Kaczorek was nominated the new paston.
During the following years the number of mariavites in Warsaw has been systematically growing. The construction of a new, larger church became a necessity, especially, when at the end of 1990s the technical state of the existing temple deteriorated. Its walls began to crack as a result of new tram route situated nearby. On August 3, 1994 the corner-stone under the new church was blessed. After three years, on September 21, 1997 the Prime Bishop, Włodzimierz Jaworski consecrated the newly erected temple. Since June 17, 2001 the parish has also a separate belfry, in which three bells are controlled with a clock mechanism.
In 2008 father Łukasz Kaczorek stepped down as pastor due to his health condition but he is still active in pastoral work. He was replaced by Karol Babi whom he brought up himself to become a priest.
The new church in 186 Wolska Street serves approx. 1,200 mariavities constituting the Wasaw parish of the Mariavite Old Catholic Church.