The Parish of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Stara Błotnica

The Roman Catholic Parish of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Stara Błotnica, part of the Radom Diocese, was established before 1403, with possible roots dating back to the second half of the 14th century. Initially, there was a wooden church dedicated to St. Peter the Apostle, founded by the Błotnicki family. Construction of the present brick church began in 1759 on the initiative of Fr. Sebastian Skórkowski and was continued by Fr. Teofil Jakubowski, with completion in 1913 attributed to Fr. Adolf Machnicki. The church, in the late Baroque style, is oriented and of the basilica type, with three naves, six bays, and two towers on a square plan. The interior is adorned with wide pillars with pilasters, decorative barrel vaults, and polychrome paintings by Kazimierz Alchimowicz from 1909–1910. The main altar features a valuable image of the Mother of God of Consolation, likely created in the second half of the 16th century, which gained great popularity among pilgrims, leading to its coronation on July 21, 1977, by Cardinal Karol Wojtyła. In 1963, the church was declared a Marian sanctuary, and in 2000, the parish was entrusted to the Pauline Fathers. Adjacent to the church is a 19th-century cemetery where distinguished clergy are buried, as well as a chapel with beautiful architectural elements. It is worth noting that the parish includes several nearby towns, underscoring its regional importance. Key figures in the parish's history include the church's founders and clergy who contributed to its spiritual and cultural development.