In the history of the Pilica parish, which has existed for seven centuries, the years 1914-1945 are among the richest in events. This period began with four weeks of constant fighting at the beginning of World War I. Russian rule was abolished after 101 years, but was initially replaced by Austrian occupation. Only on November 11, 1918, the parish entered the 21-year interwar period in reborn Poland. The Nazi occupation began on September 4, 1939. Pilica remained within the boundaries of the so-called General Government for 5 years and 136 days. It was liberated by the Soviet Army on January 17, 1945. In 1914, the parish had 9,140 believers, in 1939 only 7,587, and on April 23, 1945, over 9,000. It included the town of Pilica and 14 villages. The parish belonged to the Kielce diocese, to the Olkusz deanery, and from the end of 1918 - to the Pilica deanery. The center of religious life was the parish church of St. John the Baptist and Saint John the Evangelist. Former parish church of St. Peter and Paul burned down during the war on January 17, 1945. There was also a Reformed church and a small hospital church in Pilica, as well as chapels in four villages. The parish area was ethnically and religiously diverse. In 1909, 5,137 Jews lived there. In 1939, there were only 1,763 of them. They had a synagogue, seven prayer houses and four schools. Protestants also had their own chapel in Pilica. In 1909, 102 believers gathered there, in 1939 only 17.
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