The Parish of St. Ignatius Loyola and St. Peter and Paul in Niemce

The Parish of St. Ignatius Loyola in Niemce, established on March 26, 1914, by Bishop Franciszek Jaczewski, has a rich history closely intertwined with the local community. Its church, built between 1906 and 1909 thanks to the funding provided by Ignacy Budny, the owner of the Niemce estate, is an example of Neo-Gothic architecture designed by engineer Jan Brzosko. The church's consecration ceremony took place in 1909, although for some time it served as a private chapel. The church features a Latin cross floor plan and boasts a richly decorated interior, including a wooden altar with a painting of St. Ignatius Loyola and side altars adorned with paintings depicting St. Peter and the Transfiguration of Christ. Stained-glass windows representing the Twelve Apostles decorate the church's windows. The parish played a significant role during World War II when its pastor, Father Władysław Jędruszak, was an active member of the Home Army. During the occupation, he organized sabotage operations and helped hide priests. After the war, he resisted the communist authorities, which led to his arrest. In the postwar years, the parish hosted Bishop Stefan Wyszyński. In recent decades, the parish has organized three Holy Missions, as well as annual Summer Chamber Concerts, which have been held since 2002 in connection with the feast of Saints Peter and Paul, attracting well-known figures from the cultural world. The parish's cultural activities include various organizations, such as the Oasis of Families, a branch of Catholic Action, and choirs. Pilgrimages to holy sites in Poland and abroad are organized annually, and the Catholic Action branch publishes the parish newspaper "Ignacjański Szlak." Currently, the parish is led by Father Dr. Mirosław Skałban, who took over the duties in 2018, continuing the rich pastoral tradition.