The Church of Our Lady Queen of the World in Radom ranks among the most recognisable churches built in Poland during the second half of the 20th century. Its blue reinforced concrete tulip shape is highly distinctive, making it impossible to confuse with any other church. Construction began in the early 1980s and was not completed until 2012.
The origins of the parish and the path to construction
The history of the community from which the idea of building the church arose dates back to 1938. At that time, Father Dominik Ściskała arranged for the Radom Charitable Society to purchase a tenement house on Sienna Street. The building served as a place of care for the poorest residents, and during the Second World War, a chapel was set up there. After 1959, pastoral care was taken over by the Philippians of the Congregation of the Oratory of St Philip Neri. The rapid development of the Nad Potokiem housing estate led to the establishment of a parish, which was founded on 1 May 1981 by decision of Bishop Edward Materski. As early as 6 June 1982, the site on Grzybowska Street was consecrated, marking the beginning of a new chapter in the community’s history.
The Blue Tulip – Construction
The design for the church of the young parish was created by Radom-based architect Wojciech Gęsiak, working in collaboration with Wojciech Fałat. Gęsiak supervised the works throughout the entire construction period, which was crucial for preserving his original vision. Construction began in 1982, but soon encountered numerous difficulties related to the availability of materials and the building’s unusual design. Funding for the project relied mainly on donations from the faithful and their labour. Despite these difficulties, the lower level of the church was opened in 1984, where services were initially held. The upper part was opened in 1999, whilst the consecration took place in December 2011. All finishing works were completed around 2012, meaning that construction took a total of 30 years.
The design of the Church of Our Lady Queen of the World in Radom
The building was constructed on a central plan in the form of a circle with a diameter of approximately 42 metres. Its shape resembles an unfolding flower bud, most closely resembling a tulip or a rose, although the architect himself cited inspiration from Gothic verticality and the symbolism of light. The church’s structure consists of four reinforced concrete shells curving upwards. Narrow skylights with space for windows are situated between them. From the outside, the blue roof cladding contrasts with the light-coloured walls, drawing the eye. This gives the structure a sense of lightness, despite its large scale.
A blue tulip made of reinforced concrete – the interior
Inside, the church has a two-level layout. The lower section resembles an auditorium with amphitheatre-style seating and a centrally located altar. For many years, it served as the main venue for services. The upper church is a grand, single-space hall covering an area of approximately 1,200 square metres, surrounded by three mezzanines. There is no traditional division into naves here, in order to emphasise the focus around the second altar. The interior is dominated by raw materials, primarily reinforced concrete. Wojciech Gęsiak’s design provoked extreme reactions from the very beginning. Some residents perceived it as too futuristic, but over time it gained recognition, as evidenced by the church’s inclusion in the list of the most beautiful churches in Poland in 2010.
Source: Roman Catholic Parish of Our Lady Queen of the World in Radom
See also:Architecture in Poland|Sacred architecture|Art|Architecture of the Polish People’s Republic|Modernism
