The temple functions as the centre of religious cult of the Old Catholic Mariavites Church in the Republic of Poland. This is the only cathedral of this congregation in Poland. Moreover, the building is a valuable example of Gothic Revival monastery complex.

History

In 1887 Feliksa (Maria Franciszka) Kozłowska moved into the manor house located in this place, along with several Poor Sisters of St Clare, a confidential organisation at that time. Nuns observing strict rules earned their living by producing lingerie and making embroideries. In 1893 sister Maria Franciszka experienced a revelation called the Work of Great Mercy, as a result of which she tried to initiate reforms of the Catholic Church. Under this influence, the Assembly of Mariavite Priests was established. Jan Maria Michał Kowalski was appointed a supervisor. In 1904, due to misunderstandings and divergences with the papal office, the Mariavites were excommunicated and separated from the structures of the Catholic Church.

The Mariavites Cathedral, referred to as Temple of Mercy and Love, was erected in the years 1911-1914 to the design of bishop Jan Kowalski. The building was consecrated on 15 August 1914.

Due to a rupture in the ranks of the Mariavites in 1935, the Old Catholic Churh of Mariavites remained in Płock, while the newly established Catholic Church of Mariavites was based in Felicjanów - a previous estate of the congregation near Płock.

During the German occupation the temple provided religious services without interruptions. It did not suffer damage, although the Nazis tried to convert it into a theatre hall.

In 2006 a central ceremony related to a 100th anniversary of the Old Catholic Church of Mariavites took place here. In 2014 a 100th anniversary of the consecration of the cathedral was celebrated.

Description

The historic complex is located in the centre of Płock, on an escarpment, approx. 400 m from the bank of the Vistula river. The cathedral building, along with two adjacent monastery buildings, was erected on an E-shaped plan, with a central arm represented by the temple and two courtyards from the street.

The church is a three-nave basilica set on a rectangular floor plan. The front façade is formed by pointed-arch windows in surrounds. The gable includes three towers: the central one includes three crowns, the side ones - one each. There is a quadrangular cupola with a tented roof in a place where the church adjoins the monastery building. It contains a lantern in the form of a monstrance adored by four figures of angels. The cupola is encompassed by an inscription “Adore Christ the King who rules the nations.”

The cathedral includes one altar surmounted by a confession resting on four pillars. A papal tiara and two crossed keys - symbol of highest authority, are located high on a canopy.

In the cathedral’s basement, below the altar, there is a crypt with a coffin holding the body of Felicja Kozłowska - the founder of the Mariavites, referred to as Mateczka by the believers.

The historic complex is a seat of the Old Catholic Church of the Mariavites, Warsaw-Płock diocese, and performs a function of parish church for the Mariavites of Płock. The monastery is a general house for the Congregation of Mariavite Sisters and Congregation of Mariavite Priests. The Higher Seminary of the Old Catholic Church of the Mariavites is also located in the building. The monastery building, where Felicja Kozłowska lived, includes a memory chamber, the so-called Mateczka’s Cell, where memorabilia related to the founder of the congregation have been collected.

The area around the monastery was arranged by establishing a decorative and vegetable garden on the side of the Vistula river.

The cathedral is available to the public, the monastery is available to a limited extent.

Compiled by Bartłomiej Modrzewski, Regional Branch of the National Heritage Board of Poland in Warsaw, 16-10-2014

Bibliography

• A. Broda, Mariawityzm - historia i teraźniejszość w setną rocznicę jego powstania, „Notatki Płockie” 2007, nr 3/212, s. 3-13
• T. Glinka, M. Kamiński, M. Piasecki, K. Przygoda, A. Walenciak, Mazowsze północne. Przewodnik, Warszawa 1998
• Katedra Mariawicka, Oficjalna strona kościoła Starokatolickiego Mariawitów w RP, http://www.mariawita.pl/htmls/indexpl.html, dostęp: 16-10-2014
• Z. Polkowski, 80-lecie Katedry Kościoła Starokatolickiego Mariawitów, „Notatki Płockie” 1994, nr 4/161, s. 20-21
• Przewodnik. Płock i okolice, red. K. Strumińska, S. Płuciennik, Płock b.r.
• Zespół klasztorno-katedralny Mariawitów, Płock - serwis miejski, http://www.plock.eu/pl/zespol_klasztorno__katedralny_mariawitow.html, dostęp: 16-10-2014