Milków

Miłków is a small village in the Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship, within the Bodzechów municipality, situated on the Sandomierz Upland near National Road No. 9. It neighbors Gromadzice, Jędrzejów, Ostrowiec Świętokrzyski, Rżuchów, and Szewna. The history of the settlement dates back to the 19th century when the village was owned by the Dowbor brothers, and in 1827 it was home to 104 inhabitants. In 1830, geological surveys revealed deposits of iron ore, fireclay, and hard coal, prompting the Dowbors to open mines. However, these were closed in 1860 due to issues with groundwater. During World War II, German forces exploited the coal deposits, but the mines were shut down after the arrival of the Red Army. The village is also known for a Jurassic sandstone specimen exhibited at the Geological Museum in Warsaw. Over the years, Miłków has functioned within various administrative structures and was the seat of a gromada (local administrative unit) from 1954 to 1959. Local culture and traditions are upheld by the Women's Rural Circle and the activities of the Volunteer Fire Department. Miłków features a modern parish church dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, built between 1993 and 1995 according to a design by architect Wojciech Słaboń. The church is characterized by a rectangular nave, a semicircular presbytery, and numerous stained-glass windows. It serves as the seat of the parish, established in 1991, which previously belonged to the Szewna parish. In 1996, Father Stanisław Gaweł became the parish priest, continuing pastoral work and expansion efforts. In 2023, a monument to St. John Paul II was unveiled in front of the church. Additionally, a stone figure of St. John Nepomucene stands near the national road; it has survived multiple instances of damage and has been rebuilt each time. The village was once known for its four altars, and the parish now has about 1,121 faithful, with organizations such as the Living Rosary Circle and the Liturgical Altar Servers. The local cemetery is located in Szewna, 3.5 km from the church. In Miłków, tradition, culture, and local history intertwine, creating a unique portrait of this charming village.