Published May 2025
Our Lady of Victories Church at Bowen Hills, known for its iconic blue cross, celebrated its centenary of opening, to the very day, on April 26.
As a church which holds services in Polish as well as English, and which holds a hand-painted honour roll dedicated to all Queenslanders who died serving in WWI, it has cultivated a broad community of people who feel connected to the church.
Damian Roache attended the church to pay respect to his great-uncles, Jack and Michael Roache, who are on the honour roll.
Michael Roache was killed on his first day in battle, while his brother Jack suffered injuries and a mustard gas attack which led to death three years later.
Parish Priest Father Jerzy Prucnal, himself Polish, explained how the church has become a spiritual home for the Polish community.
“The church’s mission for peace continued in a new way when it welcomed two waves of Polish migration to Queensland in the 1940s-50s post-World War II and again in the 1980s.”
“The parish became a real refuge from the terrors of war and communism, where Polish migrants could re-establish their lives, gather together in community.”
Couple Dominik Węgrecki and Joanna Węgrecka were married in the church and now send their three daughters to the Brisbane Polish School that operates out of the hall on the church grounds.
Mr Węgrecki, whose parents are Polish, met Mrs Węgrecka in Poland on a pilgrimage to the Jasna Góra Monastery in Czestochowa, and proposed three months later.
Mrs Węgrecka said the church has helped her stay connected to her homeland.
“Whenever I came here, I felt like I was in Poland. It is very emotional to come here,” she said.
They now have a strong bond with other Polish families thanks to the church and school, including Peter and Lena Marchukewich who also have three daughters, one of whom is part of the Polish Scouts.
Mr Marchukewich said the Catholic religion is very important to them and he likes to see that Our Lady of Victories’ blue cross “keeps shining bright”.
Photography: Kate Lockyer
