There are few historic churches in Nowa Huta (the temples in Mogila or Pleszow are older than the district itself), but the rapid population growth caused an urgent need of building a new church. Socialist authorities cancelled the project due to their anti-Church policy (a temple in the ideal communist city, atheistic by definition? No way!).
Residents of Nowa Huta stuck the huge cross at the construction site and defended it against the police during the protests in 1960. A struggle for the promised church turned into a real fight for religious and political freedom. Church case united inhabitants of Nowa Huta in resistance against the totalitarian regime which finally gave up under the pressure of ‘working class’. District authorities capitulated and allowed to build the temple in Nowa Huta Bieńczyce area. It was built between 1967-1977 in Obrońców Krzyża (‘Defenders of the Cross’) Street.
Visiting Arka Pana
Before visiting Ark of Lord church you should be aware of the unique role of Karol Wojtyła, who supported residents of Nowa Huta during their struggle for religious freedom and consecrated the temple cornerstone (a gift from Pope Paul VI derived from the Basilica of St. Peter’s). An important figure in the history of Ark of Lord is also its first preacher, Father Joseph Gorzelany who initiated and supervised construction of the church.
Ark of Lord sightseeing is also an interesting experience for architecture lovers. Wojciech Pietrzyk’s project was inspired by the work of Le Corbusier – Notre Dame du Haut chapel in Ronchamp made of reinforced concrete. What can You see inside the church? Well, for example extremely expressive sculpture of crucified Christ by prof. Bronislaw Chromy and original main altar in the shape of a hand. What is more, the tabernacle imitates the globe, but what is really outstanding, the moonstone which the crew of Apollo 11 had given to Pope Paul VI is now put into the doors of tabernacle. Visiting Ark of Lord will be more pleasant with silvery sounds of carillion, playing church melodies every hour (it is a gift from Poles living in Belgium and Netherlands).
Ark of Lord church quickly became a symbol for Nowa Huta residents. Therefore, visiting it should be considered as a must see point during a Nowa Huta tour.
