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Nasza Przeszłość

Vol. 64 (1985): Our Past

Articles

The Church of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the parish of St Jakub in Warsaw

  • Zofia Sowińska-Bania
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52204/np.1985.64.167-199  [Google Scholar]
Published: 1985-12-30

Abstract

The construction of the Church of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, located at Grójecka Street in Warsaw, began at the beginning of the 20th century. In 1905, a commission was appointed, and three years later a competition was announced, which in 1909 accepted Oskar Sosnowski's design. Work began in March 1911 under the supervision of the author of the project. In September of the same year, the foundations were consecrated. The work, carried out at a rapid pace, lasted until the outbreak of World War I. In 1918, although the church was not yet completed, a parish was established under the patronage of St. Jacob. In the interwar period, the works had some effect, although at the outbreak of World War II the building did not yet have a front tower and the interior was not fully equipped. In 1939, it was somewhat destroyed. However, during the Warsaw Uprising, a fire broke out there and caused significant damage. After the end of hostilities, protective measures were taken to prevent the risk of damage and repair works were undertaken. The ceremonial consecration of the church took place on the forty-ninth anniversary of laying the first stone. In 1977, the roof over the nave was covered with copper sheets and the church regained its pre-1944 appearance. The author of the design satisfied not only the conservative part of the competition jury, but also the young generation of architects looking for new forms of sacred art. The church built by Sosnowski shows the convergence of all ideas favorable to Warsaw architects. Here we find continuity in the history of Polish architecture. The expressive curve of the plan and choir, breaking with the traditional concept of the basilica, as well as the symmetry of the shapes and the quasi-geometric detail treated with complete freedom, indicate their dependence on the "art nouveau" forms - a genre of Viennese Secession - in force around 1900. The combination of stylistic elements from different periods allowed for free expression in the composition of shapes characteristic of 20th century architecture. Similarly, the arrangement of synthetic shapes, the purism of decoration, and the original arrangement of applied painting make Sosnowski's work counted among the characteristic buildings of the modern style.

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