Church of the Name of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Szczuczyn

The Church of the Name of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Szczuczyn is a Roman Catholic parish church located in the Podlaskie Voivodeship, within the Szczuczyn deanery of the Łomża Diocese. It was built between 1701 and 1707 by Stanisław Antoni Szczuka as part of a monastic complex for the Piarist Order, commissioned by King John III Sobieski, who wished to commemorate his victory at Vienna. The architecture of the church, typical of the Baroque style, reflects the era in which it was constructed, combining sacred elements with decorations characteristic of the Piarist Order. Initially, the church was part of a larger monastic complex that served both educational and religious functions. After the Piarists left the monastery in 1805, the church became a filial church of the Parish of the Transfiguration in Wąsosz, and in 1889 it gained the status of an independent parish. In 1738, it was consecrated by the auxiliary bishop of Płock, Marcin Załuski, which attests to its significance in the religious context of the time. In the 20th century, between 1983 and 1995, a comprehensive renovation of both the church and the monastery was carried out, contributing to the preservation of this historic monument. An interesting fact is that both the church and the monastery, despite undergoing various historical upheavals, have retained their function and importance in the region, serving as a significant cultural and religious landmark for the local community.