Tuesday, 7 September - Churches, pinnacles and answered prayers

The pinnacle of my visit to Poland.
All four of us Andrzej, Jasia, Joasia and I left really early about nine in the morning. Andrzej’s friend was asked to take us to Łękińsko, and she did a great job.

But firstly we got stuck in the traffic for one hour because Kraków is forever undergoing road repairs and such likes. Some roads in the city are atrocious. You should hear Andrzej: “O Jezu, znowu dziura”. [dear jesus! another hole! ]

Once Once Once on the highway the going was great, but we, the passengers (especially Joasia) thought 120 km/h was too fast on 70 km/h road. Hopefully the speed-cameras didn’t register this slight error.

We passed Częstochowa (and noticed a few kilometre roadblock on the lane going the other direction) and were really pleasantly surprised to find ourselves in Łękińsko. And my senses went into overdrive.

Those who know what this place means to me need no explanation but since there are other participants in my journey I’ll tell you, that this was a place where Marian spent part of his first summer without me. I was in the middle of my first winter in Australia.

Marian’s uncle Pan Bilewicz

arian’s uncle Pan Bilewicz

ariaPan Bilewicz

Marian’s uncle, Pan Bilewicz was working on new polychromes in Łękińsko church. It was 1961. He asked Marian to join him and two of them would climb the scaffolding and draw and paint. Even the ceiling had images of biblical scenes.

So now you know. The church in Łękińsko looked very impressive too. I didn’t realise it was so grand. But, it was closed so we looked around and saw two people down the road outside what we presumed was “plebania”. One of them asked if we wanted to see him. That was such a relief. From then on it went so beautifully – like it was all arranged.

Father Hernryk even told us that we were very lucky to have found him there. He is a very busy man!

But he gave us a whole hour, opened the church and showed us around.

Unfortunately the polychromes were long gone. But there is a record of the work done by Pan Bilewicz. The church had undergone two major renovations and now is in very good condition. The ceiling especially had been completely rebuilt. (The reason for the church’s renovations was heavy equipment working nearby on behalf of government.)

Now, another reason for me to be th, finally, was to see a beautiful church made solely of timber, which Now, another reason for me to be there, finally, was to see a beautiful church made solely of timber, which Marian saw few kilometers outside Łękińsko and described it to me in one of his letters, he even drew it. And the drawing proved very helpful.

I showed it to Father Henryk and he said: "Oh, yes. But the church is not here anymore. Again, the factory that needed the land it was on and luckily the church was saved, transported 33 km west to a place called Biała." Father was so kind and wanting to help us in our quest, we were really touched.

He took us to his office and showed us on the map where the church was. Andrzej conferred with his lady-helper but didn’t have much hope she could guide us around these a little villages.

But she again did a marvelous job. In the end we noticed that she preferred the country side to the city streets.

So we were meandering along lovely green country roads amazed how everything was neat and tidy and a lot of new houses, very few old ”chałupa”, not like fifty years ago.

And there it was!
Our church! Marian’s church.

love you,missyoumissyou

The one he wanted to show me when we come again to Poland. And so we did. **

[mama - I was very curious about this church, and the priest's story of its dramatic location. I managed to find a mention of it
The most precious monument of the Kleszczów Land, the small XVII century church made of larch, which had served the villagers of Wola Grzymalina for 400 years - was moved, in the early 1980s to a nearby village, Biała Szlachecka near Pajęczyn. The old village of Wola Grzymalina disappeared from the earth's surface - its terrain taken by the strip mine. The former parishioners somtimes visit their ancient church in Biała.
It was late in the afternoon when we turned south – we had another place to visit – Częstochowa. It was my first time there and I was glad to have done it.

Twelve and half hours later (same length as my Kuala Lumpur – Amsterdam flight) we came home.

And we were very satisfied although very tired, especially our only driver Andrzej – 400 km on the clock.

And we had no idea at that point that the day was going to have another highlight. Joasia checked the results of her entry exams and found she was accepted!

Now, wasn’t it a great day? Now, I have to have some breakfast. It’s 8.30 in the morning 8.9.10.