Wielun Parish History

Wielun Parish

Settlement and history - Wielun is one of the oldest cities in Poland and played an important role during the time of the Reformation. During the Reformation period, and after, there was a strong Kalvanist Parish in Wielun, Parcice and Mielecin.

During South Prussian rule of the area, a number of Polish Lutheran and German Lutheran farmers, craftsmen and workers moved into the area. The Poles came from the provinces of Posen and Oberschlesien (Upper Silesia), the Germans came from Niederschlesien (Lower Silesia), Prussia and Pommern. Their religious centre was in the town of Krzeczow and they established the parish in 1820. In 1859 they built their first permanent (brick) church. In 1824 Wielun established their first fine linen factory.

The Lutheran parish dwindled in size from 1848 onwards due to many deaths and a steady stream of emigrants later. The colony of Barczew was added to the parish in 1854. That same year the Affiliate of Panki and the Kantorat of Marianow were created. These two stayed affiliated with Wielun until 1876.

This parish was mixed ethnically and services were held in Polish and German in some towns as well as just Polish in others.

Villages associated with Wielun Parish:

Wielun

Parcice

Mielecin

Barczew

Marianow

Panki

Czarnylas

Tschenstochau

Wolnica

Grabowsa

Wierunszow

Sieradz

Wolka-Bedkowska

Swoboda

Kloniczki

Janow

Swoboda –Swiakowika

Lututow