Jesuits' Church (The church of Our Lady of Grace)

Main data:

Year of construction: 1626
Year of reconstruction: 1957
Designers: Stanislaw Bohdziewicz, Marcin Wyborski, Jan Frankiewicz
Location: ul. Swietojanska (St. John Street) 10

This renaissance church is the highest building on Old Town. But it is overshadowed by the Cathedrals it neighbours with. Tourists visit this temple more rarely. Although there are not as much valuable furnishing and as many tombs of famous people here as in the Cathedral, this church is for sure also worth seeing.

The history of the church dates back to 17th century. In that time behind the Cathedral there was a small street, which was given by the town to the order of Jesuits in 1598. In 1602 the order bought also a house which stood on the other side of that street. Then, in 1609 this house was knocked down and in the construction of the church was started on its place. Among others, a well-known preacher priest Piotr Skarga was the initiator of that undertaking. The church was erected in a late-renaissance style, with a magnificent dome and a slender tower. The construction was financed among others by the king Zygmunt III Waza. The church was finished and consecrated in 1626.

In 1627, after knocking down of a house at Swietojanska street, three new chapels was build next to the church. In 1633 a vestibule was constructed and in 1636 a choir was arranged in the temple's interior. Furnishing the church lasted for the whole first part of 17th century, but unfortunately the interior was devastated by the Swedes in 1656.

The 18th century was the time when the church's splendour was restored and when more adaptations were made. Among other things, two more chapels were built.

After the year 1773, when the order of Jesuits was dissolved, the church was changing its owner a few times. For example, for some time it was a school church, later it was demoted to the role of the magazine of church furnishing, and then it was given to the order of Piarists. The Jesuits did not get the church back until the end of First World War.

In 1920s and 1930s the church was renovated again, but during Warsaw Uprising in 1944 it was completely burned. The Jesuits started its reconstruction in 1948, it lasted until 1957. And it took time till 1973 to furnish the church again.

In contrast to the Cathedral, the Jesuits' church was reconstructed after Second World War according to its pre-war appearance, in renaissance style. Among the church's furnishing, the most valuable items are:
- painting of Our Lady of Grace, in the main altar, which is said to be miraculous, it dates back to the first half of 17th century and was given by the pope Innocent X to the king Jan Kazimierz;
- a renaissance crucifix from 17th century;
- a tombstone of Jan Tarlo, Voivode of Sandomierz, also from 17th century;
- a baroque sculpture of Our Lady of Grace, from the beginning of 18th century;
- a stone sculpture of a laying bear from the half of 18th century, there is a legend connected with it (look below);

In years 2004-08 a renovation of the temple took place. The underground crypts were reconstructed and in 2008 completely new colours of the elevation appeared - white was replaced with cream and pink. The new appearance of the church may be a bit controversial, but it is a fact that it arouses attention much more now, even more than the neighbouring Cathedral.

Practical information

It is possible to see the church actually all day long, except during the masses. The masses take place from Monday to Saturday at 6.30, 7.00, 8.00, 8.30 (except summer holidays), 16.00 and 20.00, and on Sundays at 8.00, 9.00, 10.00, 11.00, 12.00, 13.00, 16.00 and 20.00.

Legend of the Bear

Not many people know that there is a romantic legend connected with the stone bear that lays in front of Jesuits' church.

Once upon a time there was a prince who lived in Mazovia. He was brave, generous and people held him in high esteem. But he had a one shortcoming - he was very ugly. His broad arms, enormous height and massive figure made him look like a bear. So after some time people started to call him Prince Bear.

The prince would be quite happy if only he had not been so lonely. None of girls liked his hefty figure, dark eyes and thick, black hair. One day the prince saw a beautiful girl. Her pretty face, blond hair and beautiful, blue eyes turned his head so much that he could not think of anything else. But every time he wanted to come close and talk to her he reminded himself of his clumsy appearance. "I don't go with her" - he thought - "She's pretty and delicate, and I'm huge and ugly".

For many days the prince dreamed about his beloved. One day he finally decided to tell her about his feelings. He picked the most beautiful flowers, put on the best clothes and went towards the church, because he expected to meet the girl after the mass. But how big was his astonishment when he saw her in a wedding dress ! She walked with his new married handsome husband and looked very happy. The prince threw away the flowers and became speechless with sorrow and anger. But people who passed him suddenly also started to shout because of fright - because Prince Bear started to change his human appearance and after a moment he landed on four paws. "Look out ! A bear ! He will eat us !" - people started to scream, but unnecessarily. The animal hung his head sadly, shed the last tear and changed into the stone...

The stone bear sits since then next to the church's door and waits for a woman whose love could break the stone and bring him back to a human shape.

Jesuits' Church in the past: