LOCATION |
Map |
Show Map
|
Address |
Agnes Street OTTOWAY |
Locality |
|
Accuracy |
H - high level confidence |
Council Area |
Port Adelaide Enfield Council |
Polygon Type |
B - Building footprint |
DESCRIPTION |
Details (Known As) |
St Maximilian Kolbe Catholic Church |
Registered Name |
St Maximilian Kolbe Catholic Church |
Significance |
The 1985 St Maximilian Kolbe Polish Catholic Church is a cultural hub where commemorative events are held, people meet, artworks and relics are housed and people can share their common experiences from their home-land. The church celebrates the Catholic faith, and Polish customs, traditions and spiritual reconciliation. As such the church has strong spiritual associations for the South Australian Polish community and also the Catholic Church.
Named after Auschwitz martyr St Maximilian Kolbe, the design and fabric of the building strongly references the life and sufferings of the saint as well as its importance to the Polish Catholic Community. Of particular significance is the architectural form of the building, the design of which is modelled on a polish mountain hut and symbolises the safety and shelter offered within its walls. The church features prominent stained-glass windows, a notable mosaic behind the altar and several significant relics associated with St Maximilian Kolbe and Auschwitz. The main stained-glass window above the front entrance directly references Auschwitz, and the mosaic behind the altar depicts the burdens carried by humanity and references both tragedy and hope. Overall, the church stands as a symbol of the cultural and spiritual beliefs of its congregation, many of whom experienced the horror of Auchwitz where more than a million people lost their life.
The church also has significant associations with prominent South Australian artist Stan Ostoja-Kotkowski. Ostoja-Kotkowski designed the altar mosaic which is an integral part of the design and message of the building. The mosaic reflects his own personal war-time experiences in Germany and demonstrates his close connection with the Polish community, and as such, has significant associations with his life, work and beliefs. |
Subject Index |
Religion - Church (Christian) |
Class |
State |
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STATUS |
Status Code |
REG - Confirmed as a State Heritage Place in the SA Heritage Register |
Status Date |
11-APR-2019 |
REFERENCE |
LGA |
Port Adelaide Enfield |
State Heritage ID |
26473 |
Heritage Number |
27753 |
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SECTION 16 INFORMATION |
Section 16 |
f - it has strong cultural or spiritual associations for the community or a group within it g - it has a special association with the life or work of a person or organisation or an event of historical importance
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PLAN PARCEL & TITLE |
As listed in the SA Heritage Register |
Plan Parcel & Title Information |
CT 6093/410 D2074 A1,2 |