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Maciej WarchołNational Center of Historical Monument Study and DocumentationCatalogue of the mennonite houses of prayer in the territory of Poland. Contribution to the research on the religious architecture of mennonites[1]This elaboration aims at presenting the catalogue of architecture connected with Mennonites - a very interesting and characteristic religious group originated in the area of contemporary Switzerland, Netherlands and northern Germany (Frisia) and settled in the region of Poland since the 16th c. till 1945[2]. The catalogue is meant to be a contribution to the research on the Mennonite religious architecture in general. Its structure as well as the contents of particular entries should be considered in this context. Simultaneously, for the sake of clarity of the analysed subject, it was inevitable to present the historical background related to the erection of each particular structure. Therefore the catalogue skips detailed descriptions in the case of existing buildings and those known from historical sources or iconography. Instead, the historical part was extended in order to clarify the genezis of erecting and shaping buildings in the particular Mennonite communities. The territorial range of this analysis comprises the grounds directly connected with the Mennonite colonization since 16th till 20th which presently belong to Poland. Detailed descriptions were given in the case of buildings erected outside of the main area of Mennonite settlement, (i.e. Żuławy (the Marshlands) and along the Vistula river), namely in Błotnica - Głęboczek on the Noteć river and Wola Wodzyńska on the Wkra river in Mazovia region, even if they had been known from literature or iconography. The catalogue takes no account of the Mennonite centres which lack any reference to the existence of their house of prayer (even in the form of a space in a private house, which must have existed) like, for instance, the villages on the Bug river in the regions of Podlasie and Lubelszczyzna.[3] The analysis omits also the subject of Mennonite religious architecture in the easter parts of the former Republic of Poland - mainly in Volhynia and Podolia, despite the availability of sources confirming the existence and form of the houses of prayer, e.g. in Lviv. The formation process of this type of Mennonite religious architecture was evolutional, due to socio-political restrictions against infidels in the 16th c. Prussia. In the first period, services took place in private houses or farm buildings adapted for religious functions (Elbląg 1590). By the end of the 16th c. Mennonites began to raise first buildings of explicitly religious function - they had framework construction and simple appearance similar to farm buildings (Mątawy 1568). No earlier then in the beginning of the 17th c., Mennonites created their own type of religious building characteristic for the territory of Poland. It was succesfully used in the whole area of their settlement untill the second half of the 19th c. The first building of this type mentioned in the sources was erected in Sosnówka close to Chełmno in 1618, but the majority were built in the 18th c. (Lubieszewo 1768, Adamowo 1783, Barcice 1728, Jezioro 1728, Orłowskie Pole 1751, Stogi 1768, Suchowo 1755, Tujce 1768 and Żuławki - Niedzwiedzica 1768). It was a type of wooden building - a wooden carcass construction, rectangular in plan, covered with a high gable roof. The carcass construction was undoubtedly introduced under the influence of the Polish architectural tradition. The buildings resembled big cottages, storage buildings or barns, because the restrictive laws against infidels stated that their religious buildings could not have any features disclosing their religious function. The turning point in the Mennonite religious architecture took place about mid 19th century. Its reasons lie in the process of gradual cultural assimilation of Mennonite communities. Enrichment and willingness to participate in the public life brought about the opening of Mennonite communities. It resulted in the verification of the former social and religious norms, including the resignation from the traditional type of the wooden house of prayer. The majority of buildings erected in the second half of the 19th c. mirrored the architecture of protestant churches and were adapted to Mennonite needs only by a reduction of its tower's hight. The dominating type was a towerless church formed in a fashionable Neo-gothic (Barcice 1866, Elbląg 1900, Jezioro 1865, Mątawy 1898, Rozgart 1890, Tujce 1892) or Eclectic style (Gdańsk 1819, Wymyśle Nowe 1864, Grupa 1866), which lacked any clearly decorative elements. During research, performed until now, the existence of 44 Mennonite houses of prayer has been registered. They were situated in 28 localities in the area of Poland. Only 9 of them have been preserved until now. The majority of buildings vanished due to the natural deterioration of wood, and were replaced by new structures. The final destruction came with the last skirmishes of the II World War resulting in the Mennonites' leaving the territories which they had inhabited for four centuries. Most buildings of the Mennonite houses of prayer were adapted for the needs of Catholic sanctuaries. Those that were not used fell into complete disrepair in the post-war period. Such was the destiny of the last examples of the traditional wooden buildings in Sosnówka (pulled down in the early 80s of the 20th c.) and in Żuławki - Niedźwiedzice (burnt in 1990). Whereas three other buildings - in Jezioro, Sady and Nowy Wymyśl - are still abandoned and their technical condition is very bad. Nowadays, some effort has been made in order to create scientific documentation of the still existing buildings and to provide them with the legal protection of the historical monuments' conservator as the preserved remains of the religious culture heritage of the Mennonites who inhabited Polish territory. [1]This elaboration is a catalogue part of the study concerning the history and analysis of the forms of the Mennonite religious architecture in the Polish territory. CATALOGUE: This catalogue, based upon the present state of research, contains a full list of buildings - ones still existing as well as those which do not exist any more. Particular entries of the catalogue are arranged according to the alphabetic order of localities and they comprise the following data: The name of a locality with a house of prayer - according to the current administrational division of the country, in reference to a particular district and province. 1. The most common, and known from the literature of the subject German name or names of the locality and Mennonite community where the building was situated. In two cases (Żuławki - Niedźwiedzica and Błotnica - Głęboczek) the two-part name of the community is given, while the name of the locality where the building was situated is mentioned in the following parts of the entry. 2. The community's affiliation to the community of Frisian or Flemish Mennonites. Crucial doctrinal differences between these groups were reflected in the settlers' habits, behaviours and appearance and they directly influenced the form and magnificence of the houses of prayer erected by the settlers. 3. The basic history of the community, which was directly connected with its constituting as a religious centre gathered around a house of prayer. The basis of this entry are data refering to the particular story of a building - the dates of erection, renovation, equipment and, finally, destruction. 4. Abridged and relatively general description of the building - being rather a presentation for the sake of analysis and systematics than a detailed characteristics. Provided that reliable sources did allow it, the buildings which do not exist any more, were described too. Descriptions were skipped in the case of buildings which lacked any information about their appearance and construction. In a few cases hypotheses suggesting possible form of the building were proposed. 5. Basic literature - directly connected with the entry. A crucial addendum to the catalogue description are illustrations and photos placed in the text. In case of objects which still exist, photos and a current plan of the building were enclosed, in case of building which have undergone transformations - an attempt of reconstruction of the original shape was presented. As to the structures which do not exist any longer, a possibly most comprehensive photographic documentation was gathered - it orginates from the available literature of the subject and the records found in sections of Service for Monuments Preservation. However, a presentation of Mennonite religious architecture iconography will not be complete, before an analysis of the photographical resources of the Mennonite communities in western Europe and in the United States is performed - those are private collections of the descendents of Mennonite settlers who had inhabited Polish territories before WW II. Acquiring an access to these sources will probably let us define more closely the forms of the buildings, which in majority existed till the end of war activities in 1945, and which lack accessible iconographical sources. ADAMOWO, district: Elbląg, province: warmińsko - mazurskie.
1. ELLERWALD 2. Frisian community. 3. The rural part of Elbląg - Ellerwald community. The permission of the Town Council in Elbląg for erecting the house of prayer in Adamowo was issued on Sept. 28, 1783. The first service in the building, which had been erected in advance, took place on Oct. 5, 1783. The building was destroyed during the II World War. 4. Wooden building - in the style of traditional 18th c. Mennonite religious buildings. Covered with a gable, thatched roof. The building's appearance is known only from the illustration in Mennonite Encyklopedia. 5. - E. Händiges, Beiträge zur Geschichte der Mennoniten-Gemeinde Elbing - Ellerwald, Weierhof/Pfalz 1938. - E. Kizik, op.cit. - P.J. Klassen, A Homeland for Strangers. An introduction to Mennonites in Poland and Russia, Fresno 1989. - Mennonite Encyklopedia, Vol. 1, Scottdale 1955-59, pp. 176-177. BARCICE, district: Ryjewo, province: pomorskie. 1. TRAGHEIMERWEIDE, SCHWEINGRUBE, ZWANZIGERWEIDE 2. Frisian community called "Waterlander". 3. The marshy areas of meadows and pastures in the Barcice surroundings were inhabited by Mennonites since 1724. They immigrated from the neighbourhood of Memlo in Ducal Prussia. Barcice was a religious centre for 27 villages and 2 towns situated in lowlands around Sztum, where Mennonites lived. Initially the district was called Schweingrube, but since c. 1820 the old name was gradually replaced by Barcice (Tragheimerweide). In 1892-1929 the name Zwanzigerweide was in use, because in 1892 both villages (Barcice and Zwanzigerweide) were joint together. In 1929, when geographical borders of districts were verified, the name Barcice was restored. The community had its branches in Kwidzyń, Jerczewo and Pastwa. In the 19th c. the size of community was reduced, because of the strong emmigration to the territories of southern Russia. In 1728 the bishop of Chełm permitted the erection of the first house of prayer. It was enlarged then in 1763. The new, brick building was raised in 1866 at the same place. In 1892 its equipment was enriched with the new organ. The building was destroyed in 1945. 4. a) The first building of house of prayer was made of wood, in the style of traditional Mennonite religious architecture. b) The new building from 1866 was made of brick, in the style of Neo-Gothic. 5. - B. Ewert, Geschichtlisches aus der Mennonitengemeinde Heubuden-Marienburg, Christlicher Gemeinde Kallendar, Bd 43, 1949, pp. 48-61. - Mennonite Encyklopedia, op. cit., Vol. 4, pp. 741-742. - H. Wiebe, Das Siedlungswerk Niederländischer Mennoniten im Weichseltal zwischen Fordon und Weissenberg bis zum Ausgang des 18. Jahrh., Marburg/Lahn 1952. BŁOTNICA - GŁĘBOCZEK, district: Stare Kurowo, province: lubuskie. 1. BRENKENHOFFSWELDE-FRANZTAL 2. Flemish community. 3. The foundation of community took place in 1765, when 35 Mennonite families moved from their settlements in Przechówka and Jeziorka to Nowa Marchia, in order to reclaim the floodlands on the Warta and Noteć rivers. Gradually they settled several villages in the neighbourhood of Gorzów, which were gathered around Błotnica i Głęboczek. Initially their religious meetings took place in private houses. With the passing of time the available places became too small. They needed to raise their own house of prayer. The land for the building was handed without charge by the government. The funds for building were given by Mennonites from Prussia and Netherlands. On Nov. 8, 1778 the first service was performed in hewly raised building in Błotnica. In 1787, the residents of Głęboczek built their house of prayer as well, thanks to the donations of Mennonites from Prussia and Netherlands. The development of Mennonite community in Nowa Marchia was blocked in 1831, when Friedrich Wilhelm III withdrew all former privileges of Mennonites. The migration to the territories of Russia began, which ended with abandoning this region by last families in 1834. The houses of prayer were being used for some time as protestant churches, but finally they were demolished. 4. There are no data connected with appearance and form of the buildings. It is known that they shared space with schools. They must have been wooden, similar in shape to those of Jeziorka or Przechówka. 5. - A. Hänseler, Mennoniten im Netzebruch, Mennonitische Blätter, 1928, pp. 90-92. - Mennonite Encyklopedia, op. cit., Vol. 1, pp. 416-417 i Vol. 3, pp. 844-845. - B.H. Unruch, Die Mennoniten in der Neumark, Gemeinde - Kallendar, 1941, pp. 58-76. DZIEWIĘĆ WŁÓK, district: Pruszcz Gdański, province: pomorskie. 1. NEUNHUBEN 2. Flemish community. 3. The community was founded in 1659. Initially it was joint with the community of Gdańska as its rural part. In 1791 it became independent to a great degree. In 1826, when the town community in Gdańsk hired its own pastor, the rural community of Dziewięć Włók joined the community in Żuławki - Niedźwiedzica as its branch. In 1845 r. they built their own small house of prayer in a close-by Przejazdów (Quadendorf), where the members met twice a month. The building was devastated probably by the end of WW II. 4. No data concerning the building's appearance. 5. - Mennonite Encyklopedia, op. cit., Vol. 2, p. 856 i Vol. 4, p. 237. ELBLĄG, district: loco, province: warmińsko - mazurskie.
1. ELBING 2. Flemish community. 3. First Mennonites settled in Elbląg and its surroundings no later than in mid 16th c. Initially the majority of community inhabited rural areas of Elbląg. They were forbidden to settle within the town by king Sigmund III, therefore only a few of them lived there. The reason of this ban lied in Polish and German tradesmen resentment as they saw in Mennonites serious competitive economical power. Mennonites from the town and its surroundings since the very beginning constituted one community Elbląg - Ellerwald, with commonly elected seniors, pastors and deacons. The first house of prayer was established in 1590 on one floor of the tenement belonging to the citizen Jost von Kampen (Kurze Hinterstrasse 8, currently - Garbary 12 street). The building was used by the community till 1900, when the new, bigger, brick building was erected on Wyspa Spichrzów (i.e. the Island of Storage Houses, Berlinenstrasse 20). Mennonites owned the building till 1945. After WW II it was renovated and became the settlement of Polish Catholic Church parish. In 1809 the community of Elbląg united with the rural community of closeby Wikrowo (Wickerau). Both communities had one common senior, 6 teachers and 3 deacons. At the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries the town's community of Mennonites in Elbląg split. The educated part of the community, gathered around pastor Carl Harder from the community in Królewiec, and eager to open to the outer world, separated from the old community and established the Church of Elbląg Mennonites. The new community subordinate to this of Królewiec initially gathered 24 families. Pastor Herder celebrated services once per two weeks in the new house of prayer built in 1852 next to Reifenbahnstrasse. Since 1869 Herder moved to Elbląg and the community was constantly growing. The building of the house of prayer din't have any uoter signs of the religious function it performed. It was devastated in 1945. 4. a) The interior description of the first place of prayer from 1590 is known thanks to short testification of M.G. Fuchsfrom the beginning of the 19th century. It was situated in an ordinary, terraced, town tenement which was adopted for religious activities. The ground floor was occupied with living quarters. The prayer room was located on the first floor. The size of it was: 8,7 metres of length, 5,6 metres of width and almost 6 metres of hight. On the easter and northern walls there were galleries. Above the room, in the attic, there was an additional space which was used when too big a number of the congregation caused overcrowding of the main room. To improve the audibility of sermon the hole between two spaces, in the middle of ceiling, was being opened for the time of service. Over the entrance of the building there was an inscription confirming its religious character cut in a stone board: "The Church of Mennonites". As one of just a few buildings situated in the Old Town of Elbląg it survived the war destruction to be renovated afterwards and till now it has been in practical use. Concerning the territory of Poland the house of prayer mentioned above is the only example of locating the religious functions in a typically town dwelling house. Other examples of adopting spaces for prayer rooms in dwelling houses are known explicitly from the rural areas. b) The building of 1900, brick masonry, Neo-Gothic in style. Rectangular in plan, one space interior, in the western part two small rooms, above them - the galleries for choir. The front elevation with a central risalite, the main entrance in it. On the sides two ogival windows (presently partly bricked up). Over the risalite, a small round stained-glass window, the top is crowned with a small tower with a little bell. The side elevations, with five vertical axes and four windows in between them, divided by steplike escarps. The building covered with a gable metal roof. Its style - cvharacteristic for the 19th c. religious architecture of Mennonites. c) The house of prayer of The Mennonite Church of Elbląg - it lacks any data. It could have been brick, without any features of particular style. 5. - M.G. Fuchs, Beschreibung der Stadt Elbing und ihres Gebietes, Bd 2, Elbing 1821, pp. 302-307. - E. Händiges, Beiträge..., op. cit. - E. Kizik, op. cit. - P.J. Klassen, op. cit. - Mennonite Encyklopedia, op. cit., Vol. 1, pp. 176-177. GDAŃSK, district: loco, province: pomorskie.
1. DANZIG 2. Since the very beginning there were two communities in the town - the bigger and dominating Flemish and the smaller Frisian. In 1808 two brabches united what effected in the foundation of the united Mennonite Community of Gdańsk. 3. First Mennonites appeared in Gdańsk c. 1530. They inhabited nostly the suburbs of the town: Flemish community - initially Szkoty, then Zaroślak and Frisian community - Nowe Ogrody. Flemish community - called "Petershagen" - in 1648 they purchased a plot of land close to the town gate leading to Zaroślak. There they built a house of prayer (the ownership of the plot was given to the community not earlier than in 1732). According to other sources two buildings in Zaroślak purchased for 4 thousand florins in 1727 (E. Kizik, op. cit.) were adopted for relidious activities. Close to the house of prayer a small old people's home was erected. Both buildings burnt in 1734 during the siege of Gdańsk performed by Russians. Thanks to help of Mennonites from Prussia and Netherlands the buildings were restored (which cost over 11 thousand florins). In 1805 the building of the house of prayer was completely re-shaped, it was enriched with the organ as well. The buiding burnt one more time during the siege of town in 1813. Frisian community - much smaller in number, also had their own house of prayer situated in the suburbs in Nowe Ogrody (Neugarten). It was erected (or adopted for religious activities) in 1636 or in 1638. In 1788 the building was enlarged and equipped with a small organ. It burnt in 1806 during the siege of Gdańsk performed by the French. In 1808 both communities united in "Vereinigten Friesischen und Flamischen Mennonitengemeinde", initially (since 1813) using the old Flemish house of prayer in Zaroślak. As the majority of Mennonites moved at that time to the town there was a need of erecting new building there. A proper plot of land was purchased in 1816. On 12 September 1819 the new house of prayer of the united community was consecrated. According to register documents (to be found in the province section of the Service for Historical Monuments Preservation in Gdańsk) the author of the building was a masonry master Brettschneider and a carpenter Fuchs, but this thesis is not confirmed by other pieces of literature of the subject. The building was partly burnt during World War II, in 1947 it was resored in its original shape, however its framework was plastered and only the vertical pilars remained visible. In 1967 it was taken over by the United Evangelical Church. During the most recent renovation, performed in 2003, the whole elevation was colourisitically unified what completely blurred its original character and appearance. 4. a) There are no data refering to the former buildings. b) The still existing building of 1819 is based on the framework construction consisting of pine pillars with diameter of 35x45 and 45x45 cm, joint with a brick wall. In the recent years the structure underwent renovation, during which its original appearance as a framework construction was completely changed by plastering and colouristic unification of the elevation. Without basement, with brick foundations. Set upon a rectangular plan, one space interior with a gallery in the northern part and the elevated altar part with a vestry. A simple mass of the building, characteristic for its constructive pillars decorated as pilasters, in between them - windows with semicircular tops. The walls are topped with a form reminding of beam structure with cornice, architrave and frieze. The whole building is topped with a characteristic roof with a parabolic cross section, an extraordinary form among the Mennonite houses of prayer. The roof is covered with pantile. The mass of the building is enriched with three annexes comprising entrance porches and a vestry. The building mirrors stylistic solutions characteristic for the Protestant religious architecture in Netherlands, Germany and Prussia. Thus, it undoubtedly remains an example of cultural assimilation and wide "world horizons" of Mennonites from Gdańsk. The building is an example of the best style in architecture among the Mennonite houses of prayer. 5. - E. Kizik, op. cit. - H.G. Mannhardt, Die Danziger Mennonitengemeinde. Ihre Entstehung und ihre Geschichte von 1569-1919, Danzig 1919. - Mennonite Encyklopedia, op. cit., Vol. 2, pp. 7-12. - J. Stankiewicz, B. Szernier, Gdańsk, Warszawa 1959, pp. 174, 259, 351. GRUPA, district: Dragacz, province: kujawsko - pomorskie.
1. GRUPPE, OBER-GRUPPE 2. Frisian community. 3. Mennonite settlers arrived to Grupa in 16th - 17th centuries. They were gathered in the community of Mątawy. In the second half of the 18th c. Grupa was inhabited by so many Mennonites that - concerning a long distance to Mątawy - in c. 1776 they built their own house of prayer.Since that time the joint community of Mątawa-Grupa had two houses of prayer. As the building was being damaged by numerous floods it was re-erected in 1865. In 1866 the community raised the new house of prayer, ceremoniously consecrated on 7 October 1866. The costs of the building was 6.756 thalers. In the years 1869-1920 Grupa separated from the community of Mątawy due to ideological misunderstandings (see: MĄTAWY), and founded the independent community with their own house of prayer. 4. a) The house of prayer of 1776 r. (re-erected in 1866) must have been a wooden building, characteristic for the 18th c. Mennonite religious architecture. b) The new building raised in 1866 of brick, in style joining Neo-Gothic with some elements of arcade style (Rundbogenstil). Set upon a rectangula plan, towerless, covered with a gable roof. Pure elevations had big windows set in alcoves, topped with semicircular arches and decorative, steplike peaks with protruding elements on the edges. On tops - semicircular blends and a circular window. 5. - Mennonite Encyklopedia, op. cit., Vol. 2. p. 607. - L. Strobbe, Montau - Gruppe. Ein Gedenkblatt an die Besiedlung der Schwetz - Neuenburger Niederung durch holländische Mennoniten im Jahre 1568, Graudenz 1918. - H. Wiebe, op. cit. JEZIORKI, district: Lniano, province: kujawsko - pomorskie. 1. KLEINSEE 2. Flemish community. 3. First Mennonite colonists settled in Jeziorki in 1727. They belonged to the old Flemish group "Groningen" from the centre in Przechówko (see: PRZECHÓWKO). The community enlarged in 1732 when 12 families from Chełmno neighbourhood moved here due to persecutions of Catholic Church authorities. Probably this community was never fully independent, but it strictly cooperated with the community in Przechówko. In spite of this the building of the house of prayer was founded here no later than 1743. Numerous floods, bad quality of soil and persecutions of the Catholic Church authorities caused intensive emmigration from Jeziorki. In 1765 a big part of the community moved to Błotnica and Głęboczek on the Noteć river. In the 19th c. almost all Mennonite settlers disappeared from this area. 4. There are no data about appearance or construction of the building. However it supposedly was a wooden building, in style characteristic for the Mennonite houses of prayer in Żuławy region. 5. - Mennonite Encyklopedia, op. cit., Vol. 3. p. 110. - E. Ratzlaff, Im Weichselbogen. Mennonitensiedlungen in Zentralpolen, Winnipeg 1971. - H. Wiebe, op. cit. JEZIORO, district: Markusy, province: warmińsko - mazurskie.
1. THIENSDORF 2. Frisian community called the community of "Little Żuława" ("Kleinwerder"). 3. The settlement was founded in the mid 16th century. Ten Mennonite community came into being c. 1607, it gathered Mennonite colonists from the rural areas in the south of Elbląg. Some of its members were Czech Hussites settled in Mała Żuława 1n 1604 and after the Thirty Years' War. Initially the religious services took place in private houses and farm buildings. In 1728 the community was meeting in the house of a senior Melchior Froese. In the same year the community received from the bishop of Chełm Ignacy Kretkowski a permission for erecting their own house of prayer, which was consecrated on 27 April 1728. During the erecting works the meetings took place in a barn specially adopted for religious purposes - it was equipped with windows and benches. In 1791 part of the community separated and built their own house of prayer in Markusy (see: MARKUSY). The old building of a house of prayer in Jezioro,was replaced in 1865 by a new, brick one which exists till now. After World War II it has been used as a warehouse of the District Cooperative. a) The first building of 1728 - it must have been wooden, in style of the traditional Mennonite religious architecture. b) The building of 1865 exists till now. Brick, in the Neo-Gothic style. Set upon a rectangular plan with one space interior covered with beam ceiling. The front and back elevations with the central risalite originally comprising ogive topped entrance portal (presently - there is a rectangular entrance gate in the enlarged space). Over it there are two partly bricked up ogive windows with tracery which used to give light to the choir. The risalite is topped with a rosette frize made in plaster. On the sides of risalite there are two ogive topped windows with tracery (presently pricked up in their lower parts). Above the risalite there are two ogive windows and a central blend. The elevetion is topped with brick kragstein frize. On the sides and in the centre the elevation is topped with protruding elements ending with spires. Side elevations with six vertical axes, in between them ogive windows with tracery (analogical to the front and back elevation), bricked up in the lower parts. The building covered with a gable roof with S-shaped tiles. 4. - C.J. Dyck, An Introduction to Mennonite History, Scottdale 1972. - E. Händiges, Vereinigte Mennonitengemeinde Thiensdorf - Markuschof. Zur 200-Jahrfeier des Baus der ersten Mennonitenkirche Thiensdorf im Kleinen Werder, Mennonitische Blätter, Bd 6, 1928, pp. 56-58. - E. Kizik, op. cit. - Mennonite Encyklopedia, op. cit., Vol. 4, pp. 710-711. - H. Wiehler, Aus der Geschichte der Vereinigten Mennonitengemeinde Thiensdorf - Markushof, , Mennonitische Blätter, Bd 10, 1928, pp. 92-94 i Bd 11, pp. 99-100. LUBIESZEWO, district: Nowy Dwór Gdański, province: pomorskie.
1. LADEKOPP 2. Flemish community, some Frisian inhabitants belonged to the community in Orłowskie Pole. 3. In the 17th c. and in the beginning of the 18th c. Mennonites inhabiting the neighbourhood of Lubieszewo belonged to the community of Wielka Żuława with a settlement in Gdańsk Since the years 1735-40 when this community divided into four parts, the independent community called "Orloff Quarter" was founded in Lubieszewo. The communities had their own pastors and deacons, but their senior from Gdańsk still worked for all four parts. In 1768 thanks to the permission of the bishop of Chełmno the community erected their own house of prayer holding c. 600 people. For the members of the community settled in the south-west part of the area there was a branch house of prayer erected in Pordenowo in 1800 (see: PORDENOWO). In 1882 the community was joint with this of Orłowskie Pole (see: ORŁOWSKIE POLE). The building was destroyed during the fights by the end of World War. 4. A wooden building, in style of the traditional Mennonite religious architecture. Erected on carcass framework of 12,5 m. width and 23,1 m. length. Set upon a rectangular plan, covered with a gable roof with S-shaped tile. Rectangular windows and doors, over the galleries - two rows of little windows. Board peaks, the wall corners covered with decoratice clapboards. The interior set similarly to the house of prayer in Stogi - in the eastern part the pastor's room, the vestibule with a kitchen and the senior's room. Next to those, to the west, the service room with galleries on easter and northern walls. By the southern wall there were elevated benches for the senior, pastors and deacons, and the pulpit. 5. - Mennonite Encyklopedia, op. cit., Vol. 3, p. 267. - B. Schmid, Die Bau- und Kunstdenkmäler des Kreises Marienburg, Danzig 1919, pp. 114-115. - J. Stankiewicz, Zabytki budownictwa i architektury na Żuławach, Rocznik Gdański, nr 15/16, 1956-1957, p. 533. - V. Zirkwitz, Das Dorf um Danzig, Danzig 1940, pp. 12-13 i 36-37. MALBORK, district: loco, province: pomorskie. 1. MARIENBURG 2. The building belonged to the Flemish community in Stogi. 3. Mennonite dwellers of Malbork belonged to the Flemish community in Stogi. Because of the long distance, since the very beginning of the community existence, the services took place in several locations (see: STOGI). No later than in 1700 Mennonites were forbidden to have their religious meetings at Vorschloss - a street in Malbork and in the castle storage houses. They raised their own house of prayer in the years 1906-07, the ceremonious consecration took place on 23 June 1907. 4. No data. A brick building equipped with 350 seats. 5. - Mennonite Encyklopedia, op. cit., Vol. 2, pp.730-735. MAŁA NIESZAWKA, district: Wielka Nieszawka, province: kujawsko - pomorskie.
1. OBERNESSAU 2. Frisian community. 3. The Mennonite community in Mała Nieszawka was founded in the mid 16th century. It mainly consisted of the settlers from Wielka and Mała Nieszawka, Kępa Korzeniecka (next to Toruń), Kozibór, Dunilewo and Strońsk. It originated from the Frisian community in Barcice called "Waterlander". The first house of prayer to be found in sources was consecrated on 11 August 1778, it was burnt due to the tunder strike on 11 June 1889. The building which still exists was erected in 1890 at the same place. The author and executor of the project was Kienow of Toruń - an unknown architect (probably of Mennonite origin). The building was erected thanks to the eficient help of the Mennonite communities from Prussia, Germany and Netherlands during a one year time. The new temple was ceremoniously consecrated by the community's senior Hans Foth on 2 November 1890. In 1775 some of the settlers moved up the Vistula river and founded Kazuń Niemiecki, in the 19th c. the number of the community members rapidly decreased due to emigration to Russia and America. Hence, in 1933 the community consists of 12 people. The last Mennonite service took place on 23 August 1944 after that the majority of settlers emigrated to Germany. In 1945 the building of the house of prayer was temporarily used by the Soviet Army as the place of isolation for the people of German nationality. Then it was taken over by the Catholic Church and since then it has been a centre of the Mała Nieszawka parish. 4. a) The first building, probably wooden. No data. b) The presently existing building - situated in the centre of the village, oriented, erected on the artificial hill c. 1 m high, surrounded with trees. Built of wood, on a carcass framework, not planked.One space interior, the nave set upon a rectangular plan with unseparated tripartite closed chancel. In the south-west corner there is a small separated vestry set upon a rectangular plan. Everything covered with a flat ceiling. A one-storey building, covered with a gable roof,which becomes three-sloped over the chancel. In the front - a little porch, covered with a gable roof, richly decorated. Corners decorated with clapboards imitating pilasters (with basis and capitella). The building is topped with a little tower with protruding cornice, covered with a high four-sloped roof. Erecting a tower was an exeption among the Mennonite temples. It was an attempt to make building look more representatively and richly and also a reference to the 19th c. brick houses of prayer from the area of Żuławy. It also proved for the Mennonites' cultural assimilation in the 19th c. connected with the slackening of religious laws. 5. - H. Czachowski, K. Nemere - Czachowska, Mennonici w Nieszawce, Spotkania z Zabytkami, nr 1, 1998, pp. 24-25. - Die Gemeinde zu Obernessau bei Thorn, Mennonitische Blätter, 1892, pp. 99-101. - H. Foth, Einweichung der Kirche zu Obernessau, Mennonitische Blätter, 1891, pp. 15-18. - A. Goertz, Mennoniten in der Thorner Niederungen, Westpreussen Jahrbuch, Bd 13, 1963, pp. 123-128. - W. Kerber, Die Kirche der Gemeinde Obernessau, Mennonitische Blätter, 1905, p. 29. - W. Kerber, Die Kirche zu Nessau, Christlicher Gemeindekallendar, H. 15, 1906, pp. 107-114. - P.J. Klassen, op. cit. - Mennonite Encyklopedia, op. cit., Vol. 4, p. 14. - Mennonitisches Lexikon, Bd 3, Weierhof 1913 - Karlsruhe 1967, p. 285. MARKUSY, district: loco, province: pomorskie. 1. MARKUSHOF 2. Frisian community, till 1791 - a part of the community in Jezioro, in the years 1791-1890 - independent. 3. On 21 April 1791 there was a split in the Frisian community in Jezioro caused by the attitude to the mixed marriages (see: JEZIORO). The new community erected their own house of prayer in the same year in Markusy, the first sermon was given on Christmas Day in 1791. The rest of the members still used the old building in Jezioro. With time passing the majority of ideological differences was blurred and the communities became closer to each other again. On 25 March 1888 a vehement flood of the Vistula river seriously damaged the house of prayer in Markusy. Mennonites from Netherlands and Germany gathered a big amount of money for its re-erection on condition that both communities will unite again and build a new compromise house of prayer in Rozgart, closer to Jezioro. On 4 March 1890 the united community took the name of Jezioro - Markusy. The old building in Markusy was re-erected and was in use till the building in Rozgart was raised in 1890. 4. A wooden building, characteristic of the Mennonite religious architecture, with living quarters for the pastor. 5. - E. Händiges, Vereinigte..., op. cit., pp. 56-58. - Mennonite Encyklopedia, op. cit., Vol. 3, pp. 490-491. - B. Schmid, op. cit., p. 171. MĄTAWY, district: Nowe, province: kujawsko - pomorskie.
1. MONTAU, GROSSMONTAU 2. Frisian community, there existed also a small Flemish community which belonged to the community in Przechówko. 3. The location was founded in c. 1568. It was the first Mennonite village up from Żuławy on the left bank of the Vistula river. It was the centre for Mennonite settlements on the Sartowicko-Nowska Lowland. Since the 18th c. Since the 18th c. in connection with the strong development of the settlement in Grupa, the community was known under the name Mątawy-Grupa (Montau-Gruppe). The ideological differences in attitude towards the military service the separation of Grupa from the mother community in Mątawy in 1869. In 1920 both communities united again. By the end of the 18th c. the big part of Mątawy dwellers emigrated to Błotnica, Wymyśl and Kazuń. According to the sources the first house of prayer was erected in 1568. It was a framework building covered with a thatched roof. In 1859 it was destroyed by numerous floods and due to its old age therefore it had to be re-shaped or demolished. The new one, existing till now, was erected in 1898. Most of the money for it was given bt the last will of deasonis Marie Schröder. In 1899 the temple was equipped with an organ. Since 1776 the community was served also by another house of prayer in Grupa (see: GRUPA). After World War II was taken over by Catholic Church to be used as a parish church. 4. a) The first building of 1568 - framework, covered with thatch, probably of pure mass remainding of a farm building. b) The oriented building, brick in the Neo-Gothic style. The nave set upon a rectangular plan, on the western side - slightly separated vestibule with stairs leading to a choir. Over the nave - the unhidden construction of the roof with decorated, profiled beams. On the east side - a semicircular abside functioning as a chancel with the altar. The historical elevation functioned as a pulpit. The east side of the nave adjoined the vestry, which was a lower space - nowadays it serves as a catechetic room. A one-storey building, covered with a gable roof, which becomes three-sloped over the vestry. Roofs covered with tiles. In front a decorative risalite imitaiting the entrance porch, a closk and a small tower with a little bell covered with a lofty roof. East and west peaks ornated with a step-like cornice. 5. - Z. Ludkiewicz, op.cit. - Mennonite Encyklopedia, op. cit., Vol. 3, pp. 743-744. - L. Strobbe, op. cit. - H. Wiebe, op. cit. NOWE WYMYŚLE, district: Gąbin, province: mazowieckie.
1. DEUTSCH WYMYSLE 2. Flemish community. There existed also a small Frisian community. 3. The date of foundation of Nowe Wymyśle (initially called Olędry Czermińskie) is not clear. Mennonite Encyklopedia states it was 1762, according to W. Marchlewski - 1781. It was founded by German Evangelists and for some time the majority of farms was being purchased by Mennonites. This process finished in the first half of the 19th c. Wymyśle became almost completely Mennonite village. The colonists came mainly from the Flemish communities of Przechówka and Montawy - Grupa (the first wave in 1762-64). In the years 1818-24 they were joined by other settlers from Przechówka as well as Błotnica and Głęboczek on the Noteć river. The date of erecting their first house of prayer is also dubious. According to Mennonite Encyklopedia the first chapel and school was built between 1764 and 1770. The building were to burn between 1860 and 1864. On the other hand W. Marchlewski states that the first house of prayer was raised in 1813. It was divided into to parts - for religious meetings and for school.. The building burnt during the fire which spread through Wymyśl in 1845, in its place a school was erected in 1854. Its only the story of the new still existing building of the house of prayer which leaves no doubts. It was erected in 1864, on the land of Michaela Lotera and with materials provided by him. It was seriously damaged during the World War I and it was re-erected in 1924 thanks to the help of Mennonites from the USA. In the second half of the 19th c. the reformation movement connected with Baptists arose among Mennonites. It resulted in founding the Brotherhood Church (Mennoniten Bruder Gemeinde - MBG). About 1884 it started strong missionary activities in Wymyśl. In result the majority of villagers joined it by 1895. In 1907 r. the community's senior joined the Brotherhood Church as well. Due to this the building of the house of prayer came under the supervision of MBG. A few members of the old community belonged since then to the community in Kazuń and their religious meetings took place in a private houise adopted for religious purposes. The building was finally demolished in the end of the 90s of the 20th century. 4. a) No data about the first building - probably it was wooden, in style of the traditional Mennonite religious architecture. b) The new house of prayer of 1864 - oriented, brick and plastered. Set upon a rectangular plan with dipartite interior. On the west side there was a vestibule with a vestry, on the east side - a one space room of meetings with the choir over the spaces of the western part. The main entrance was at the centre of the gable wall (presently bricked up). The building had decorative paintings on the walls of the prayer room, nowadays it is partly painted over. A one storey building, covered with a three sloped roof. The roof is covered with tinplate. The elevations with rectangular windows surrounded by band, with decorative geometrical rows, topped with cornice. On the front top - an ogive window. The whole building is topped with a small, cast-iron cross. Presently, the building is in a very bad technical condition and it is at risk of demolition. c) The second prayer room was adopted from two rooms in a the living-farm house of the mid 19th c., which had already existed. They were situated in a gable part of the building and they were separated from other rooms by a transitory entrance hall. They were separated from each other by the wall comprising three door openings. The panel doors were decorated with a painted flour ornament. From the optical point of view these doors enabled creating a one, big prayer space. The building din't have any other features of the religious building. 5. - P. Fijałkowski, op. cit. - W. Marchlewski, Mennonici w Polsce (O powstaniu współnoty mennonitów Wymyśla Nowego), Etnografia Polska, T. XXX, z. 2, 1986. - W. Marchlewski, Przyczynek do dziejów..., op.cit. - W. Marchlewski, Studium ruralistyczne wsi Wymyśle Nowe, Warszawa 1984, mps w oddziale WUOZ w Płocku. - Mennonite Encyklopedia, op. cit., Vol. 1, pp. 42-43. - E. Ratzlaff, op. cit. - J. Szałygin, Katalog zabytków..., op. cit., pp. 150-153. NOWY KAZUŃ, district: Czosnów, province: mazowieckie.
1. DEUTSCH-KAZUN 2. Mixed Flemish-Frisian community. 3. The community was founded in 1776. It used to be the most remoted to the east Mennonite settlement on the Polish territory. The colonists came mainly from the Frisian villages in Chełmno and Grudziądz neighbourhood - namely from Mątawy-Grupa, Sosnówka and Nieszawka. The first house of prayer was raised in 1823. It was destroyed during the Vistula flood in 1891. The new one, still existing, was erected behind the Viustula floodbank. The celebrous consecration took place on 30 October 1892. The building was seriously damaged during the fights of World War I. It was rebuilt in 1924. During a one year time all members of the community had to attend the services in Nowe Wymyśle. Since 1923 Brotherhood Church began its missionary activity in Kazuń (see: WYMYŚLE). It seems however that it never became strong enough to take over the existing house of prayer. The building was used for religious purposes till 1945. Later it was used as a school building. Since 1960 it became a settlement of the district authorities and a police station. Nowadays the converted building serves as living quarters. 4. a) No data about the first building. b) The still existing building of the house of prayer - wooden, in a form suitable for living and religious purposes. Set upon a rectangular plan. The interior has been converted to a great degree. Historically, the bigger part of the building was occupied by the service room with windows in three walls. A centrally siuated long entrance hall led to it. On its sides there were for rooms used as living quarters and school. The entrance in the centre of the gable wall. The carcass framework mixed with beam-post structure with clapboards. The plastered interiors. The walls topped with a protruding eaves cornice. The whole building covered with a gable, metal roof. 5. - P. Fijałkowski, Mennonici na Mazowszu, Spotkania z Zabytkami, nr 2, 1993, pp. 25-26. - Katalog Zabytków Sztuki w Polsce, T. X, Dawne województwo warszawskie, z. 10, Nowy Dwór Mazowiecki i okolice, Warszawa 1987. - Mennonite Encyklopedia, op. cit., Vol. 2, p. 41. - E. Ratzlaff, op. cit. - J. Szałygin, Katalog zabytków..., op. cit., pp. 165-170. - J. Szałygin, Osadnictwo olęderskie na terenie województwa stołecznego i jego ochrona, op. cit., pp. 61-80. - J. Szałygin, J.A. Wiśniewski, Materiały do katalogu drewnianego budownictwa sakralnego na Mazowszu, Mazowsze, nr 3, 1994, p. 58. ORŁOWSKIE POLE, district: Nowy Dwór Gdański, province: pomorskie.
1. ORLOFFERFELDE 2. Frisian community, a small number of Flemish settlers belonged to the community in Lubieszewo. 3. It was one of the oldest Mennonite communities in Western Prussia. It came into being in 1562 when the banking company Loysen from Gdańsk founded the first settlement on the waste lands of Żuława Malborska. It gathered Mennonites from c. 20 villages. Initially the services took place in the private houses and storage houses. The house of prayer was built almost two centuries later in 1751 in Orłowskie Pole, the first services was celebrated by a senior Cornelius Grunau on 5 December 1751. In 1882 the Frisian community of Orłowskie Pole united with the Flemish community of Lubieszewo. It was caused by the administrative neccesity of verifying the strict borders ofcommunities. The communites shared the finances and economical authority, but the religious authority, services and pastors were still separate. The joint community was named Lubieszewo - Orłowskie Pole. 4. A wooden building, in style of the traditional Mennonite religious architecture. A carcass framework, on the high stone underpinning. It was 12,0 m. wide and 24,5 m. long. Covered with a gable, pantiled roof. Interior with traditional set of rooms: on the south - the living quarters of the community senior and the kitchen with a heating vent; behind those - a transitory entrance hall leading to the service room of 16,4 m. length. On three walls of the room - galleries accessible from the room as well as from the entrance hall. By the eastern wall there were benches for the senior, a teacher and deacons and a pulpit. The interior was painted with oil paint and distemper; it lacked any decorations. During the renovation of the building in 1851 the old upper parts of the windows were replaced by arch-shaped ones. The building was destroyed after 1945 what has been confirmed by the registration of the historical monuments in Żuławy performed by J. Stankiewicz. 5. - Mennonite Encyklopedia, op. cit., Vol. 4, p. 85. - B. Schmid, op. cit., pp. 245-246. - J. Stankiewicz, op. cit., p. 536. PASTWA, district: Kwidzyn, province: pomorskie. 1. GUTSCH, ZENDERSFELDE 2. Part of the Flemish community of Jerczewo, being a branch of Stog. In 1899 it united with the Frisian community in Barcice. 3. The house of prayer was erected in 1854. 4. No data. 5. - Mennonite Encyklopedia, op. cit., Vol. 4, p. 237. PORDENOWO, district: Lichnowy, province: pomorskie.
1. PORDENAU 2. Flemish community, a branch of Lubieszew. 3. The village came into being in the 15th century. In the 17th c. it was re-settled by Mennonites as a part of the village Wielkie Lichnowy. The house of prayer was raised in 1800 as a branch of the community in Lubieszewio. It was burnt in 1945 by the end of World War II. 4. A wooden building, typical of the Mennonite religious buildings in Żuławy. With living quarters for the pastor, the service room with galleries, in the Classicist style. Its appearance is known from the photos the inventory prepared by B. Schmidt. 5. - Mennonite Encyklopedia, op. cit., Vol. 3, p. 267. - B. Schmid, op. cit., pp. 252-253. - J. Stankiewicz, op. cit., p. 537. PRZECHÓWKO, district: Świecie, province: kujawsko - pomorskie. 1. WINTERSDORF 2. Flemish community. 3. According to the sources the settlement came into being inc. 1540. It was a centre of the old Flemish community "Groningen" in Świecie neighbourhood. It consisted of Konopat, Kosowo, Chrystkowo, Jeziorka i Głogówko. In the 18th c. it was visited for several times by the Mennonite seniors of Groningen - Al Derks (1719, 1723) and Hulshof (1719, 1733). Przechówko was a mother settlement for the communities in Błotnica and Głęboczek on the Noteć river as well as for the Alexanderwohl community in the settlement Moloschna w Rosji. The house of prayer was probably raised in the mid 18th century. In 1832 so few Mennonites lived in Przechówko that the rest of local people wanted to convert it into school, but the remaining Mennonites disagreed for that and sold it for demolition. The community ended its existence c. 1830. The few remaining Mennonites joined the Frisian communities in Sosnówka and Mątawy. 4. The documents of the house of prayer demolition point to a wooden building, probably in style charaqcteristic for the traditional Mennonite religious architecture. - J.A. Durksen, Przechowka and Alexanderwohl, Mennonite Live, X, 1955, pp. 76-82. - Mennonite Encyklopedia, op. cit., Vol. 4, pp. 225-226. - E. Ratzlaff, op. cit., p. 22. PRZEJAZDOWO see: DZIEWIĘĆ WŁÓK ROZGART, district Gronowo Elbląskie, province warmińsko - mazurskie.
1. PREUSSISCH ROSENGARTH 2. Frisian community with settlement in Jezioro. 3. see: MARKUSY i JEZIORO. 4. A wooden building of brick in th Neo-Gothic style. Oriented, set upon a rectangular plan. In the western part - two rooms separated from the interior - a vestry and a shed with stairs leading up to the choir gallery. The choir gallery supported with two pillars on the nave side. From the east the nave is adjoined by a small annex of chancel. The nave covered with the open roof construction. The front elevation with a central risalite comprising the main entrance in the ogive portal, topped with step-like peak with the date 1890. The front elevation is topped with a small tower with a little ogive window. On the sides of the risalite - two ogive windows. The whole elevation topped with a step-like cornice. In the back elevation - a small chancel with the original south entrance (bricked up) and with three windows topped with sett cornice and a three sloped roof. Over the chancel's roof - a small window in the nave's wall. The side elevations with five vertical axes and ogive windows in between them. In the southern elevation - the original ogive side entrance in a step-like topped portal (presently bricked up). The building covered with a gable roof with S-shaped tile. Next to the house of prayer there is - an exeptional for the Mennonite architecture - belfry, raised at the same time, Neo-Gothic in style. 5. - C.J. Dyck, op. cit. - E. Händiges, Vereinigte..., op. cit., pp. 56-58. - E. Kizik, op. cit. - Mennonite Encyklopedia, op. cit., Vol. 4, pp. 217-218 i 710-711. SADY, district: Słubice, province: mazowieckie.
1.- 2.Most likely a Flemish community. 3.We know very little about the foundation of the Mennonite community in Sady. The first Mennonite colonists appeared in the last 20 years of the 18th century. Most likely they did not founded an independent religious community. A house of prayer was built in c. 1806, which is documented by an inscription: "Glory be 1806 to God", nowadays hardly readible, put on the cap of the North-Eastern gablewall of the building. It could not have served as a Mennonite house of prayer for long. Until 1820 most Mennonites moved from Sady and the neighbouring villages to Wymyśl and founded an independent religious community there. Since that time the building has probably served as a Protestant church, which could be confirmed by the neighbourhood of a Protestant cemetery. Nowadays the prayer room is used for livestock purposes. 4.The house looks like a typical Mennonite farm house, in which a prayer room would be put instead of the animals' part. Wooden, carcass construction, with corners joint on "fish tale". The walls were reinforced from the outside with so called lisice. A rafter, gable roof, now felt and covered with plywood. The house is set upon on oblong plan, bipartite inside. The western, habitable part, reserved traditionally for a teacher's or pastor's appartment, was separated by a hallway equipped with a heating vent from the eastern part, primarily serving as a prayer room, today - as a place for animals. The main entrance to the prayer room was situated in the middle of the eastern gablewall. The religious purpose of the house is accented only by the mentioned inscription, window frame shaping more ornamented than in case of an ordinary house, profiled ceiling beams. The religious purpose of the house was discovered by W. Marchlewski and J. Szałygin. No mention was given to such purpose of the house in Sady in any Mennonite sources, including Mennonite Encyklopedia. 5. - W. Marchlewski, Studium ruralistyczne...,op. cit., pp. 14 - mentions the matrimonial deeds of the Mennonits, found in the Register Office Records from 1809, saying eg: "There came Beniamin Ratlaw legitimated by a certificate from the Mennonite church of Sady". - E. Ratzlaff, op. cit. - J. Szałygin, Katalog zabytków..., op. cit., pp. 221-223. - J. Szałygin, Osadnictwo olęderskie na terenie obecnego województwa płockiego, op. cit., pp. 35-42. - J. Szałygin, J.A. Wiśniewski, Materiały..., op. cit., pp. 72. SOSNÓWKA, district: Grudziądz, province: kujawsko - pomorskie.
1.SCHÖNSEE 2.Frisian-Flemish community. The Frisian came from the community "Waterlander" in Barcice and the Flemish from the community "Groningen" in Przechówka. 3.Mennonites settled down in Sosnówka already in 1553. It was the first Mennonite village near to Chełmno, on the right side of Vistula. Even in the first known to us colonization contract from 1594 the colonists living in Sosnówka and the neighbouring villages were given a privilage to practice their religion, including religion at school. The dominating Frisian community had its own house of prayer since 1618. It is then the oldest example of a detached Mennonite house of prayer in Poland, documented in written and drawn sources. The house is often called "big school" ("die grosse Schule"), though Mennonites called it rather "old school" ("die alte Schule"), as the inscription above the entrance says. Flemish community had its own building called "small school" ("die kleine Schule"). In the middle of the 18th century a huge part of the flemish community from Sosnówka and Przechówek left their villages and moved to Błotnica and Głęboczek in Nowa Marchia, then c. 1780 to Niemiecki Kazuń and finally, in the beginning of the 19th century to Wołyń. The reduction of the Flemish Mennonites caused that since c. 1730 both communities used the Frisian house of prayer. Finally, on 12 October 1849, the small Flemish community, consisting of 39 people, joined the Frisian one. The Flemish house of prayer was left and the old Frisian building, renovated and enlarged in c. 1773, served the community from 1618 to 1945. The house had survived the World War II, but afterwards it stood left and empty until the 80-ties of the 20th century, when it finally collapsed. 4.a) The view on the Frisian house of prayer from 1618 shows it as a wooden building, typical for the Mennonite style of Żuławy. Set up upon an oblong plan, the inside divided into two parts: appartment for pastor equipped with a heating vent and a prayer room. The space was covered with a flat ceiling and had galleries along at least two walls. The building was covered with a high gable, thatched roof. The ornaments in classical style (corners boarding in a shape of pilaster columns, ornamental framing of doors and windows and an inscription on the inner door portal) evidence the renovation of 1773. b) The Flemish house of prayer is known only by the illustration from the work by H. Wiebe, written in 1941, ie from the time the building was not used for religious purpose any more. It was a simple wooden house like any other. It had an entrance on the longer front wall and small windows putting light to the gathering room. Its inner plan is now hard to be fixed. The building had a high gable, thatched roof. The house shape is typical for the Mennonite wooden religious buildings of the 17th and 18th centuries. 5.- Mennonite Encyklopedia, op. cit., Vol. 4, pp. 475-476. - A. Mietz, Wiejskie cmentarze protestanckie w dolinie Wisły pod Chełmnem w XVII-XVIII w. Katalog cmentarzy, Rocznik Grudziądzki, T. XV, 1994, pp. 175-204. - J. Schön, Das mennonitenthum in Westpreussen, Berlin 1886. - H. Wiebe, op. cit. STOGI, district: Malbork, province: pomorskie.
1.HEUBUDEN 2.Flemish community. 3.The Mennonite community of Stogi was founded in the second part of the 16th century and it was the largest village community in Prussia. It gathered Mennonites from the southern part of Wielka Żuława and the area near Malbork. Until 1728 the community did not have their own seniors and pastors. Therefore the prayers were served by a senior from Gdańsk, and since 1639 - by the seniors from the four of the neighbouring indepenent communities of Wielka Żuława. After becomming independent in 1728, the community developed its own pastoral work. In the middle of the 18th century the offices were held in the community members' houses in already four places: Malbork, Lichnowy (Lichtenau), Lasewice (Gr. Lasewitz) and Pogorzała Wieś (Wernersdorf) once per four weeks in each and in the first days of the holidays. In 1774 the community was joined by a small group of Mennonites living in Czatkowo (Czatkau) and the community of Jarczew, all served by a senior of Stogi. The house of prayer was built after the permission given by the bishop of Chełmno on 17 June 1768. The construction started on 19 July 1768. In spite of a temporary restriction by the Catholic authorities is was finished on 2 November 1768. The first office was held no later than on Christmas of that year. The construction costs were c. two thousand florins high. The building had a standard shape strictly defined by the Catholic authorities. In 1853 it was totally renovated and enlarged. During the renovatory works the offices were held in a granary, arranged for that purpose. The modernized building could accomodate 800 people. After World War II it was turned into a Catholic church, and finally collapsed in c. 1950. 4.A typical example of the traditional Mennonite religious buildings. Shape similar to the houses of prayer of Niedźwiedzica, Lubieszewo and Tujce. A wooden carcass construction, with a gable, thatched roof, set upon on oblong plan 27,5x12,1 m. The main entrance to the hall was situated on the southern wall, with the apparments for a senior and pastor on each side. The prayer room was 20,6 m long and had galleries along three walls. Along the fourth wall there stood a platform with benches for a senior, pastor and deacons. Around 1790 a pulpit was put next to the benches. In 1824 the thatched roof was replaced by aluminium tile. In 1853 the building was enlarged 14 feet to the south. The old field stone foundation was replaced by a new brick one, what caused the erection of a 2 feet higher framework. The new equipment was introduced: a pulpit, seats for the seniors, benches and stairs. The building was all painted with oil and glue colour. It was probably the time, when the small organ was put into the house and situated under the northern gallery. 5. - A. Driediger, Aus der Geschichte der Menninitengemeinde Heubuden, Mennonitische Blätter, Bd 86, 1939, pp. 5-9. - E. Kizik, op. cit. - Mennonite Encyklopedia, op. cit., Vol. 2, pp. 730-735. - B. Schmid, op. cit., pp. 67-69. - J. Stankiewicz, op. cit., pp. 539. SUCHOWO, district: Nowy Dwór Gdański, province: pomorskie.
1.ROSENORT 2.Flemish community. 3.Primarily the community was not independent. Until 1639 the ceremonies had been served by a senior of Gdańsk. From 1735 it gained independence (Elbing Quarter), but it was still served by a senior of "Wielka Żuława" community in Tujce until 1857. At the beginning the gatherings took place in private houses, granaries or barns. Not sooner than in 1754 the community got the permission to build their own house of prayer in Suchowo. The first service there took place on 2 March 1755. 1566 members of the community participated in it. The building was burnt in 19 January 1812. It was rebuilt and given again to the community on 20 November 1814. It could accomodate 600 people. The house was finally destroyed around 1945. 4.a) The first building was probably wooden and had a construction typical for the traditional Mennonite religious buildings. There is no detailed description of its shape. b) Basing on the illustration in the work by H. Penner it is to be concluded that the renovation of 1814 repeated the house shape from the 18th century. The wooden house follows a style typical for the traditional Mennonite religious buildings. 5.- E. Kizik, op. cit. - Mennonite Encyklopedia, op. cit., Vol. 4, pp. 360-361. - H. Penner, Die ost- und westpreussischen Mennoniten in ihrem religiösen und sozialen Leben in ihren kulturellen und wirtschaftlichen Leistungen, Weierhof/Pfalz 1978. - E. Regehr, Geschichts und Predigertabelle der Mennonitengemeinde Rosenort, Elbing 1937. - E. Regehr, Zur 300-Jahrfeier der Gemeinde Rosenort, Mennonitische Blätter, Bd 9, 1939, pp. 60-61. TUJCE, district: Stegna, province: pomorskie. 1.TIEGENHAGEN 2.Flemish community called "Wielka Żuława" ("Grosswerder"). 3.The village and the community was founded in the beginning of the 17th century and became a Mennonite centre in Nowy Dwór downland. Until 1639 the ceremonies had been served by a senior of Gdańsk, afterwards it became a central independent community for the rural territories of Wielka Żuława. In 1735 there was a following division into 4 independent communities, with Tujce as a centre for one of them (Tiegenhagen Quarter). A total independence of the community was linked to the election of their own senior (1833), who also served in the community of Suchowo (Elbing Quarter) until 1857. The house of prayer was built after the permission given by the bishop of Chełmno on 17 June 1768. In 1892 it was deconstructed and a new brick house was erected on its places. 4.a) The first building was wooden and had a construction typical for the traditional Mennonite religious buildings. It was built as one of four houses of prayer after the permission given by the bishop of Chełmno. It looked similar to the houses of prayer in Lubieszewo and Żuławki - Niedźwiedzia. b) The new brick building, probably in Neo-Gothic style with a shape similar to the buildings in Rozgart and Jezioro. 5.- A.Driediger, op. cit. - E. Kizik, op. cit. - Mennonite Encyklopedia, op. cit., Vol. 4, pp. -722. - H. Penner, Ansiedlung mennonitischer Niederländer im Weichselmündung von der Mitte des 16. Jahrh. bis zum Beginn der preussischen Zeit, Weierhof/Pfalz 1963. WOLA WODZYŃSKA, district: Ojrzeń, province: mazowieckie. 1.- 2.Flemish-Frisian community, subordinated to the community in Kazuń. 3.The beginnings of the Mennonite settlement in Wola Wodzyńska are difficult to define. In the sources there are several dates since 1796 (Marchlewski) up to 1842 (Kupsch). The more believable date seems 1842, the moment of the formation of a religious community, which could be linked to a construction of a house of prayer. Despite having their own house of prayer the community of Wola Wodzyńska was never independent and remained subordinated to the community in Kazuń. In the 70s and 80s of the 19th century most of Mennonites of Wola Wodzyńska joined the the Brotherhood Church and the Baptist Church. An expansion of Baptism and a growing migration to the USA after 1874 caused total decline of the Mennonite community. In 1900 the village was inhabited by only 8 Mennonite families. During the World War I the front line was crossing the village, which caused evacuation of the people and destruction of the buildings, including the house of prayer. After the war the Mennonites did not come back to the village. 4.No information. Considering that the community was a branch, the building was probably wooden and rather simple. 5. - E. Kneifel, Geschichte der Evangelisch - Augsburgischen Kirche in Polen, Niedermarschacht 1962. - E. Kupsch, Geschichte der Baptisten in Polen, Łódź 1932. - W. Marchlewski, Studium ruralistyczne..., op. cit. - Mennonite Encyklopedia, op. cit., Vol. 4, pp. 842. - E. Ratzlaff, op. cit. - J. Szałygin, Katalog zabytków..., op. cit., pp. 266. ŻUŁAWKI - NIEDŹWIEDZICA, district: Stegna, province: pomorskie.
1.FÜRSTENWERDER - BÄRWALDE 2.Flemish community, a small Frisian group belonged to the community of Orłowskie Pole. 3.The centre of the community were two neighbouring settlements inhabited by the Mennonites since c. 1570. Primarily it was a part of the community "Wielka Żuława" of Gdańsk, then of Tujec. Since 1740 the community became independent and had its headquarters in Niedźwiedzica (Bärwaldsches Quarter). Since 1809 it had its own senior. Whereas the house of prayer was situated in the neighbouring Żuławki, since 1830 the community used the name Żuławki or Żuławki - Niedźwiedzica. A house of prayer was built after the permission given by the bishop of Chełmno on 17 June 1768. It survived the World War II in its primal shape, then it was left and finally burnt in 1990. The house of prayer was the last example of a traditional wooden Mennonite religious building in Poland. 4.A wooden building with a construction typical for the traditional Mennonite religious buildings, set upon on oblong plan ok. 21 x 11 m. It has a similar shape to the one in Lubieszewo. Framework of the house on a stone foundation with a visible construction beams structure and ornamented boarded angles. Two entrances in the southern wall leading directly to the prayer room and one additional entrance in the eastern wall leading to the habitable and farm part of the building. The inner structure of the house is typical for the old Mennonite houses of prayer. In the Southern part there are three rooms including pastor's or senior's appartment with a kitchen and a heating vent and a vestry. The rest of the house was reserved for the prayer room with galleries running along three walls. The building has a high gable roof covered with aluminium tile. 5.- C.J. Dyck, op. cit. - Katalog zabytków sztuki pow. Nowodworskiego,mps 1959, p. 18. - E. Kizik, op. cit. - Mennonite Encyklopedia, op. cit., Vol. 1, pp. 176-177. Maciej Warchoł, born in 1969, conservator of architectural monuments, graduated from The Institute for the Study, Restoration and Conservation of Cultural Heritage at Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń (diploma in 1994 in Dutch settlement of middle and south Vistula). In 1998-2004 an employee of The Province Historical Monument's Protection Office in Warsaw. Now a top-specialist in National Centre for Historical Study and Documentation in Warsaw. |
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