Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish in Szymanów

The Parish of Szymanów, established in 1667 on the initiative of Mikołaj Wiktoryn Grudziński, has a rich history dating back to the 15th century. In 1444, Abraham Pawłowski made the first attempts to create the parish, but the foundation did not come to fruition. The parish was small, consisting of a noble manor and one village, and its first parish priest was Father Jan Kazimierz Malicki. In the 19th and 20th centuries, the parish underwent significant expansion thanks to the architectural design of Konstanty Wojciechowski, who between 1893 and 1907 transformed the parish church by adding towers, side naves, and a new main altar with a sculpture of Jesus Crucified. The image of Our Lady of Szymanów, dating back to the 17th century, is a valuable cultural element of the parish. Although not crowned, the image bears many names and is venerated. The parish is also associated with important figures, including saints, blesseds, and servants of God, such as Saint Maximilian Kolbe and Blessed John Paul II. In 1776, thanks to Princess Barbara Urszula née Dunin Sanguszko, the parish expanded its territory to include many nearby localities. The parish also had its sanctuaries, such as the one dedicated to the Holy Family in Miedniewice, which was run by the Reformed Franciscan Fathers. Since 1907, a convent of the Sisters of the Immaculate Conception has been operating within the parish, known for its devotion to Our Lady of Jazłowiec. The Parish of Szymanów not only combines architectural, cultural, and religious aspects but also stands as a witness to the rich spiritual history of the region.