The Parish of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross in Ciepielów

The Parish of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross in Ciepielów, located in the Radom diocese, has a rich history dating back to before 1434, when a wooden church dedicated to the Holy Cross existed in Ciepielów. Over time, new churches were built, such as the wooden church of St. Roch, constructed in 1512 thanks to the foundation of Jakub Ciepielowski, and another church, which was built in 1752 through the foundation of Konstancja z Denhoffów Sanguszkowa. This church was destroyed in 1915 during military operations. After these devastations, efforts were undertaken to build a new brick church. In 1904, parish priest Fr. Antoni Długosz commissioned a design, but the plan was not realized. Ultimately, the construction of the brick church began after the destruction of the wooden temple and lasted from 1922 to 1939, with its design prepared by engineer Stefan Wąs. The new church was consecrated on September 14, 1959. Throughout the parish's history, various pastors have served, with Fr. Canon Zdzisław Kalinowski holding the position the longest, from 1981 to 2002. The current pastor is Fr. Stanisław Sławiński, who has been serving since 2002. The parish covers several localities, including Ciepielów, Anusin, and Stary Ciepielów, which is a significant aspect of its territorial reach. The parish not only serves a spiritual role but also a cultural one, being an important focal point of the local community's life. Architecturally, the new church, in the Neo-Gothic style, is much larger and more monumental than its wooden predecessors, reflecting the development and progress in sacred architecture. Interestingly, despite great difficulties, including losses due to war, the local community united to rebuild their place of worship, demonstrating the strong bonds and dedication of the residents to their tradition and faith.