St. Anthony's Church in Biała Podlaska

The Capuchin Order's Rectoral Church and Monastery of St. Anthony in Biała Podlaska, located in the Lublin Voivodeship, is a complex of Baroque brick buildings, plastered, with the church's façade facing north and a three-wing monastery situated to the east. In front of the church, there is a rectangular courtyard surrounded by a brick wall, and in its central part stands a monument to John Paul II, unveiled in 2000. The history of the church dates back to the end of the 17th century, when, as a result of wars that destroyed the city, it was decided to settle the Reformati friars in Biała. In 1670, on the initiative of Michał Kazimierz Radziwiłł and his wife Katarzyna, the monks were brought to Biała, and the church's design was created in 1671. Construction was completed in 1684, and the temple was consecrated in 1688 by the Bishop of Kyiv, Andrzej Chryzostom Załuski. The interior of the church is distinguished by its rich decoration, with numerous altars. After the monastery's dissolution in 1867, the church became a branch of the St. Anne parish, and in the following years, it served various functions, including as a Uniate and Orthodox church. In the 20th century, the church witnessed many changes, including post-war reconstruction and the adaptation of the monastery buildings for schools. Currently, the church and monastery are used by the Capuchins. The monastery, initially wooden, was rebuilt in brick between 1687 and 1692. Thanks to the endowments from the Radziwiłł family, it gained a library and new rooms. After the dissolution of the order, the buildings were divided for various uses, but in 1918, they returned to Catholic hands. Among the interesting facts, it is worth mentioning that at the end of the 19th century, part of the church's furnishings were moved to neighboring parishes, and many of them could be found in nearby churches. In 2020, a plaque commemorating the soldiers of the 34th Infantry Regiment was unveiled in Biała Podlaska, highlighting the historical significance of this place. The contemporary Capuchin monastery, being part of a rich history, now plays an important role in the life of the local community and in cultivating religious traditions.