In 1900, in the eastern part of Bałuty (which was then a separate village), the Dolorists friars started their activity. After obtaining the consent of the tsarist authorities, in the place between Spacerna Street (from 1933, Pasterska St.) and Dworska St. (now Organizacji WiN St.), the Dolorists' Congregation built in 1906-1907 a branch church of the Assumption of Blessed Virgin Mary parish.
The style of the church, unique to Łódź, includes highlander and folk elements. The designer of the church, Kazimierz Pomian - Sokołowski, chose the Podhale style because he was inspired by the influence of the new style, Art Nouveau, popular at the beginning of the 20th century. Art Nouveau architecture (as well as painting and sculpture) is closely related to the activity of poets and writers. Although the inspiration comes from Vienna and Paris, this creation is largely marked by nationality. The belief in rebirth through the people brings not only an interest in folklore, but also imposes a homely note on visual arts that unites with the form of Art Nouveau.
One of the leading artists of Młoda Polska (Young Poland, Polish name of Art Noveau), Stanisław Witkiewicz, recognized the folk architecture of Podhale as a remnant of the style that used to prevail throughout Poland and announced the "Zakopane style" as the Polish national style. The designs of Witkiewicz's buildings became a model for many architects who began to transfer the Podhale style to other Polish cities.
Church of the Good Shepherd
12/14 Pasterska Street
www.archidiecezja.lodz.pl/parafia/dobrego-pasterza/
