Church of Blessed Michał Kozal, Gniezno

Church of Blessed Michał Kozal is a Gothic Revival church built between 1894 and 1895, designed by Bruno (likely Bruno Schulz, a German architect) as a chapel for the Dziekanka Psychiatric Hospital. It currently serves as the church of the Catholic Parish of Blessed Michał Kozal in Gniezno, while also being used by the Evangelical parish from Poznań (simultaneous church). The temple features two chancels. It has been temporarily closed since 7 February 2012.

The church was constructed in 1894. According to a document found in its tower, the masonry work was carried out by master mason Hoffman from Gniezno, master Kinzell, and master Zelm, while the carpentry was handled by a construction contractor from Rosenberg and assistant master Timm. Originally, the church served as a chapel for the Dziekanka Psychiatric Hospital, though it was intended from the outset as a dual-denomination temple. By decree of Primate August Hlond, it became a filial church of the Parish of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Adalbert (archcathedral). On 1 January 1988, by decree of Primate Józef Glemp, it was designated the church of the newly established Parish of Blessed Michał Kozal. After Father Sławomir Jessa assumed the role of parson in 1997, the church underwent systematic renovations (confessionals and lighting were replaced, and painting work was completed). In the late 1990s, the church tower was renovated, funded by both parishioners and members of the Evangelical community. On 23 March 2009, during a Chaplet of the Divine Mercy service, a fire broke out in the church, caused by soot in the chimney. A year later, during a Gorzkie żale service, old, sealed ducts caused an explosion in the church porch near the hospital-side exit. Two months later, on 29 May, cracks in the ceiling widened, and a bulge appeared above the entrance, threatening collapse. As a result, the church was closed for over a week. Following an inspection by the heritage conservator and temporary ceiling support with beams, it reopened, though it requires a thorough renovation. On 7 February 2012, a serious chimney failure occurred when smoke infiltrated the interior due to a leaky flue. Needing urgent repairs, the church was closed, and most of its liturgical furnishings were moved to the parish chapel and rectory. On 20 December 2012, a notarial deed was signed transferring ownership from the State Treasury to the metropolitan curia, which then relinquished it to the Parish of Blessed Michał Kozal in Gniezno that same day. In June 2013, a burglary resulted in the theft of chandeliers, wall sconces, and other valuable items left after the closure. On 14 October 2013, roof repairs began, partially funded by the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage. By the end of 2014, the roof renovation and installation of new heating were completed, though work was halted twice due to insufficient funding. Since 2015, renovations have remained on hold.

Constructed from red brick on a rectangular plan as a single-nave church, it features a tower with an inactive bell, restored in the late 20th century through collaboration between the parson and members of the Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in Poland. On the eastern exterior wall, there is a plaque commemorating hospital patients murdered by Nazis and another honoring Father Witold Ceglarek, a vicar of the parish who died tragically. The church has two church porches and thus two side entrances (lacking a direct entrance facing the altars). Four small rooms are built at the corners: two on the eastern side, connected to the church, and two on the western side, unconnected. The eastern rooms serve as sacristies for the Catholic parish – one for priests and one for liturgical assistants. The western rooms i

Church data from Wikidata (CC0). Summary from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA).