Church of Our Lady of Grace and St. Adalbert in Łowicz

The Church of Our Lady of Grace and St. Adalbert in Łowicz, a Baroque temple located on Pijarska Street, serves as the seat of the Piarist Fathers. Its founders were Jan Szamowski, the castellan of Gostynin, Wojciech Zimny, and the archbishops Michał Radziejowski, Stanisław Szembek, Teodor Potocki, and Krzysztof Antoni Szembek. Construction began with the chancel between 1672 and 1680, and subsequent work on the nave and facade continued until 1731, based on a design by Jakub Fontana, although part of the facade was completed later, between 1744 and 1747. Although consecrated in 1749, the church was not entirely finished. Its historical significance is highlighted by the Provincial Chapters held here, including the reform of Piarist education in 1753, which contributed to the establishment of the National Education Commission. After the suppression of the Piarist Order in 1864, the church was taken over by diocesan priests. In the 20th century, the temple suffered damage during various wars, leading to renovations, and the Piarist Fathers returned to Łowicz in 1958, resuming their pastoral and educational activities. The interior of the church is three-aisled, with a chancel closed by a semicircular apse, and features richly decorated altars. Particularly noteworthy is the main altar designed by Jakub Fontana, with sculptures depicting bishops and frescoes from around 1725, attributed to the Italian painter Michelangelo Palloni. Interestingly, the church once housed a commemorative plaque honoring its founders, which, unfortunately, has not survived to this day. The church is an important cultural and historical landmark of the region, and its architecture and furnishings reflect a rich artistic and religious tradition.