Church of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus and St. Florian in Poznań

The Church of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus and St. Florian in Poznań is a Neo-Romanesque temple located in the Jeżyce district at 3 Kościelna Street. Since 2017, it has served as a stational church during Lent. The land for the new parish was purchased in 1890, and the establishment of the parish was approved by Primate Florian Stablewski in 1894. The cornerstone was laid in 1897, and the church was consecrated in 1911. Its design, by Professor Jan Rakowicz, was inspired by the Romanesque church in Schwäbisch Gmünd, Germany. The church is a massive brick structure in the shape of a cross, measuring 58 meters in length and 34 meters in width, with a capacity for 2,500 people. The façade features a portal with a statue of Jesus and stained-glass windows, including the largest rose window in Poznań, depicting the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The interior, with its wooden ceiling, is adorned with Art Nouveau polychrome paintings and rich furnishings, including altars dedicated to St. Florian and Our Lady of Częstochowa. Architecturally, the openwork sections on the tower are also notable. During World War II, the church was closed and looted, and in 1945 it was partially destroyed. After the war, numerous renovations were carried out to restore its former glory. In the 1980s, the bells were reinstalled, and the stained-glass windows were renovated. Interestingly, the church was home to various Catholic organizations, two choirs, and two periodicals. In 1977, it was added to the register of historical monuments, and in 1981, a new set of bells was installed thanks to a metal collection drive among parishioners. The church and its surroundings are an important part of the cultural life of Jeżyce and Poznań, and its history is deeply intertwined with the fate of the local community.