St. Christopher's Parish in Podkowa Leśna

The Parish of St. Christopher in Podkowa Leśna, established in 1945, belongs to the Brwinów deanery of the Archdiocese of Warsaw. Its patron saint is St. Christopher, and the church, designed by the artist Jan Rosen, was consecrated on November 5, 1933, by Bishop Antoni Szlagowski. Initially, the newly built church had the status of a rectoral church, and its construction began in 1932, with the leading role played by the building committee and the Podkowa Leśna Estate Management. The parish is known for its church garden, and its first parish priest was Fr. Bronisław Kolasiński. Among his successors, Fr. Leon Kantorski stands out, who left a lasting memory in the parish due to his sermons and social activism. After retiring, he remained active in the parish, which attracted many faithful from the surrounding area. In 2001, Fr. Canon Wojciech Osial became the parish priest, continuing cultural activities by organizing concerts featuring renowned artists. The parish also has rich traditions, including the annual "Autosacrum" ceremony, which dates back to the consecration of the church as an initiative for owners of motor vehicles. The origins of this tradition are associated with Halina and Janusz Regulscy, and the blessing of vehicles has taken place since 1933. The history of the parish is also linked to the opposition movement in communist Poland, where it became a place of resistance against the communist regime, largely due to the efforts of Fr. Leon Kantorski. In 1980, a well-known hunger strike was held here as an expression of solidarity with imprisoned opposition activists. The Parish of St. Christopher combines spiritual tradition with rich socio-cultural activities, making it an important landmark in the local community of Podkowa Leśna.