St. Giles Parish in Chocenie

The Parish of St. Giles in Choceń, belonging to the Włocławek Diocese, is a Roman Catholic community encompassing several localities, including Choceń, Bodzanowo, and Sieroszewo. The parish feast is celebrated on the Sunday after September 1st, and the traditional festivities are associated with the veneration of the Transfiguration of the Lord. The history of the parish dates back to at least the 12th century, with the earliest mentions found in documents from 1145. The parish received its first patronage rights, and the church dedicated to St. Giles was recorded in 1598. There is information suggesting the structure was built around 1348. In the 16th century, the church fell into neglect, leading to its renovation in 1598. Over the centuries, the building underwent numerous changes, and the oldest wooden church was also dedicated to St. Martin. In the 17th century, the structure required urgent repairs, which were funded by the monk Ząbiński in 1628. In 1700, the church underwent a thorough restoration, and between 1899 and 1910, a brick church was constructed, which was later demolished by the Germans in 1941. A temporary church was built in 1945–1946, and the true architectural gem became the new church, whose construction began in 1975 under the leadership of Fr. Kazimierz Szafrański. The church, consecrated in 1980, features a single-nave design with a side chapel, rich furnishings, and interior decorations including paintings such as that of Our Lady of Częstochowa. In 2013, pipe organs from Germany were installed. Currently, pastoral care is provided by Fr. Dr. Mieczysław Łaszczyk, with Fr. Mateusz Jędrzejczak serving as his vicar. The local community cherishes its traditions and shared history, and the church serves not only as a place of worship but also as an important element of local culture and heritage. An interesting fact is that the church in Choceń has undergone various stages of development and reconstruction over the centuries, significantly influencing its architectural legacy and the cultural identity of the local community.