St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Niewodnica Kościelna

The Parish of St. Anthony of Padua in Niewodnica Kościelna, belonging to the Białystok - Nowe Miasto deanery in the Archdiocese of Białystok, has a rich history dating back to 1596, when it was founded by Andrzej and Elżbieta Korycki. The originally built wooden church, dedicated to the Holy Trinity, was situated on a hill and featured a rectangular shape, a roof initially thatched with straw and later covered with wood shingles, as well as a dome with a bell tower. In the 17th century, the church housed an altar dedicated to St. Anthony, and burials took place in its brick crypts. In the 19th century, due to the deterioration of the original structure, the then parish priest, Father Antoni Dowbor, obtained permission to build a new church. This was accomplished between 1887 and 1889 under the direction of architect Romuald Lenczewski. The new church was consecrated on October 22, 1889, and its dedication was changed to St. Anthony in recognition of the saint's veneration within the parish. The architecture of the new brick church differed significantly from the original wooden structure, reflecting the technological progress of the era. The parish also includes several chapels, such as the cemetery chapel from 1872 and the Chapel of the Transfiguration in Koplany, where religious services are held. The parish serves the faithful from over a dozen localities, and its religious life centers around Holy Mass celebrated on weekdays and Sundays, as well as feast days observed on June 13 and the first Sunday after July 16. The parish plays a vital role in the local community, preserving the religious and cultural traditions of the region. It is worth noting that both the original and the current church serve as carriers of history and tradition, creating a rich context for the faithful and residents of the area.