The example of the Eastern Orthodox churches of the Ascension and of Saint Nicholas of Myra shows how – in the times of the Second Republic of Poland – Russian heritage was treated. Although in the public discourse it was often emphasised that Orthodox churches were a political tool serving the aim of Russification of Poland and therefore should quickly disappear from the urban sphere, their demolition – as in Kielce – took years and depended on many factors. Arguments for retaining the churches also existed, which generated many conflicts both on the level of local and governmental authorities. Kielce also serve as an exemplification of the situation of the Orthodox community, which – after the evacuation of the Russian authorities and army during World War I – diminished time and again. Similarly to the Orthodox churches it faced enmity from the Polish population because of its relations to the tsardom. Despite many obstacles the Orthodox community managed to organise and receive permission for celebrating services in lay premises adapted to this end.