St Maximilian Maria Kolbe's Church in Szczecin

St Maximilian Maria Kolbe's Church stands on an escarpment at Włościańska 67 in Szczecin's Pomorzany district. It is one of the oldest churches in this part of the city: the first mention of a church in Pomorzany dates from 1445, and today's building has kept its Gothic form, although it has been destroyed and rebuilt many times.

From a branch church to a parish

In 1445 the church in Pomorzany was a branch of a church in Ustowo that no longer exists. It was built in the Gothic style on an escarpment faced with field stones, and the whole was surrounded by a defensive wall. From the Reformation until 1945 it served Protestants. In 1632 the Swedes destroyed it, after which it was rebuilt twice and lost its original appearance. It was also badly damaged in the fighting at the end of the Second World War, especially the eastern part.

Reconstruction took place in 1972-1973. Jerzy Stroba, Bishop of Szczecin-Kamień, consecrated the new church on 30 December 1973, and the parish was re-established on 4 June 1977 and given the dedication to St Maximilian Kolbe.

A Gothic building of erratic boulders

The church has a single nave without vaults, on a plan measuring 15 by 9 metres, closed off at the east end with a five-sided apse, with a tower on the west side. The walls show brickwork with erratic boulders worked into it, while the black glazed shaped bricks of the plinth and the portal of alternating glazed and plain bricks add colour to the facade. The upper part of the half-timbered tower probably dates from after the destruction of 1677, when the windows were also partly rebuilt. The building is entered in the heritage register, which dates it to the 15th century.

Practical information

• Address: ul. Włościańska 67, Szczecin-Pomorzany.
• The church is an active parish church, so visiting the interior depends on services. The parish gives the hours; check them before your visit.
• It is about 2.7 km in a straight line from Szczecin Central Cemetery.