A Contribution to the History of the Immaculate Conception of Mary Parish in Nidzica in the 19th Century

Abstract

In the first half of the 19^th century, the Catholics of Nidzica, deprived of pastoral care, participated in religious services in neighbouring Janowo. In 1841, when the Russian officials tightened their control of the borders, there occurred a necessity to stimulate the religious life in the Nidzica district. The Catholic mission in Nidzica was founded on 20 February 1854 by Bishop Anastazy Sedlag from Pelplin. Franciszek Wollschläger was appointed as its first priest. The financial support of the new pastoral institution was guaranteed by the Boniface Association in Paderborn. The construction of the church was initiated by another priest from Nidzica, Herman Wodecki. The foundation stone of the new temple was solemnly laid on 20 October 1858. The ceremony of consecration was held on 3 June 1860. Earlier, on 21 February 1860, the mission was upgraded to a parish. Four years later, a Catholic school was opened in Nidzica. In 1890, Józef Januszewski, a priest from Nidzica, built a new presbytery and a tower next to the church. The Catholic population of Nidzica and surrounding areas were poor, so not only the Bishopric of Culm participated in the maintenance costs of the parish, but also religious organisations from other parts of Germany.