St. James the Apostle Parish in Warsaw

The Parish of St. James the Apostle in Warsaw was established on March 7, 1918, by Archbishop Aleksander Kakowski. Initially, the residents of Ochota attended churches in Wola and Koszyki, and the original plan was to build the church in Śródmieście. However, the local community chose the location on Grójecka Street. The church, designed by architect Oskar Sosnowski, was constructed between 1911 and 1938. After being damaged during World War II, it was rebuilt from 1946 to 1960, with further renovations continuing in the following years. Adjacent to the church are the parish office building and spaces for community gatherings, such as the St. Faustina Hall and other buildings with rooms for various groups. The parish is actively involved in pastoral work, including ministry for students, diverse Catholic communities, youth groups, Bible study groups, and charitable activities. It attracts many young people and offers Catholic courses as well as pre-marriage meetings. The parish is also home to the Franciscan Sisters and Dominican Sisters, who actively participate in community life. The church holds a special connection to St. Faustina, as it was here that she took her first steps toward religious life. The first parish priest, Fr. Jakub Dąbrowski, died during a bombing raid. The parish covers part of Ochota, with boundaries extending from Żwirki i Wigury Street to Jerusalem Avenue, and it neighbors other parishes, enriching the religious life of the area. The Parish of St. James the Apostle also provides chaplaincy services in local hospitals.