Church at Teatralny Square in Warsaw: restoration after almost 50 years

·25 February 2025

The church at Teatralny Square, whose patrons are St. Brother Albert and St. Andrew the Apostle, is one of those places in Warsaw whose fate reflects the dramatic history of the city. The temple was badly damaged during World War II and remained in ruins for years to come, only to be completely demolished by order of the authorities in 1953. At the end of the 20th century, however, there was a breakthrough – as part of the reconstruction of the northern frontage of Theatre Square, it was decided to rebuild the church. Thanks to the determination of conservators, architects and the faithful, the church was returned to its place in 1999.

Theatre Square Church – history of the temple

The Church of St. Brother Albert and St. Andrew the Apostle, located at 18B Senatorska Street in Warsaw, is an important element of the historical landscape of the capital. Its history dates back to the 17th century, when the Jesuits erected a small temple dedicated to the Holy Cross on this site. In the 18th century, St Andrew’s Church was built on its site, around which a complex of buildings for the nuns of the Canonesses developed. The 19th century saw a major reconstruction of the church in the spirit of classicism. The design was the responsibility of the eminent architect Chrystian Piotr Aigner, whose vision transformed the building into an elegant and harmonious structure, fitting in with the representative architecture of Theatre Square.

Church at Teatralny Square on a market day, late 19th century. Source: National Museum in Warsaw

Destruction during the war and the decision to demolish

During the Second World War, the church served an important function as a shelter and insurgent hospital. Unfortunately, as a result of warfare and the deliberate destruction of the town by German troops, the building suffered serious damage, including parts of the façade and the columned portico above the entrance. Despite the damage, the church continued to serve the faithful in the post-war years and there were plans to rebuild it. Services were held until 1953, however, when the communist authorities decided to demolish it. Almost the entire northern frontage of Theatre Square was removed. Partially in its place, blocks of flats were erected, while the rest of the area remained for years a square where the monument to the Warsaw Heroes – the Warsaw Nike – was erected.

Church at Teatralny Square – reconstructionof the temple

At the end of the 1990s, a breakthrough was made. As part of the reconstruction of the northern frontage of Teatralny Square, the reconstruction of both the Jabłonowski Palace, two tenement houses and the church was planned. We wrote about the history of the palace HERE. The cornerstone for the church was laid in 1998, and already on 13 June 1999 it was consecrated by Pope John Paul II. The solemn consecration took place a few months later. It was presided over by Cardinal Józef Glemp. The Monument to the Heroes of Warsaw, which interfered with the investment, was moved to the vicinity of the W-Z route.

Blocks at Teatralny Square in 1966 and the same place today. Source: “Warsaw ZOR estates”, Warsaw 1968 and WhiteMAD/Mateusz Markowski

The reconstruction project, designed by the “Projekt” studio, faithfully followed the classicist facade by Aigner from the early 19th century. Due to the existing block of flats on Daniłowiczowska Street, the reconstructed church was shortened. In 2004, the tympanum above the entrance was enriched with a bas-relief depicting the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove, by Professor Gustaw Zemła. After decades of non-existence, the former buildings returned to Theatre Square, although the reconstruction was only partial and with simplifications, which to this day remains the subject of wide debate and criticism.

Fire in the Church of St. Brother Albert and St. Andrew the Apostle

In 2008, the church was again affected, this time by a fire that destroyed many valuable works of art. Among the lost treasures was Sebastiano del Piomba’s painting ‘Christ in the Garden of the Cross’, which adorned the main altar. After the reconstruction, the interior of the church received its current decoration. Today, the church at Teatralny Square remains both an important place of worship and an important architectural and historical element of Warsaw. Its turbulent history is an expression of the strength and determination of the capital’s residents to preserve the city’s cultural heritage.

Source: warszawa.fandom.com, rekonstrukcjeiodbudowy.pl

The church at the end of the 19th century and today. Source: Mazovia Digital Library and whiteMAD/Mateusz Markowski