St. Faustina Sanctuary in Warsaw

The Sanctuary of St. Faustina in Warsaw is a Roman Catholic temple, known for its connections to Faustina Kowalska, who joined the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy in 1925. The building, originally constructed as a chapel in 1862, was transformed into a church only after World War II, having lain in ruins for a long time. In the 1970s, thanks to the efforts of Father Wojciech Czarnowski and local residents, its reconstruction began, and in 1980 a new parish was established to protect the building from planned demolition. The church's architecture draws inspiration from early Christian temples, with arches dominating the interior. After the war, the destroyed complex served as a shelter for refugees from the ghetto, and during the Warsaw Uprising, the chapel was used as a place for Mass for the insurgents. From the 1980s, the church became a center for independent art, hosting exhibitions and cultural events often linked to political resistance against the regime. Artistic initiatives, such as the exhibition "Sign of the Cross," garnered recognition and pioneered new forms of social interaction. The political transformation in 1989 ended this flourishing period, though Father Czarnowski continued his charitable work. In the 21st century, the church underwent extensive renovation, sparking controversies over the preservation of its historical value. In 2017, the sanctuary was elevated to a site associated with the devotion of Divine Mercy and St. Faustina, leading to an increase in pilgrim visits. Despite its rich traditions, the level of religiosity in the parish remains below the national average.