Nowy Świat is not a name many people know, but for those who do, it holds a special place in their heart. Once a quiet witness to Poland’s complex past, this historic street in Warsaw has long been a place of spiritual connection, community, and vibrant history. On August 24–25, 2025, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Poland added a new chapter to that legacy with the opening of a Visitors’ Center at Nowy Świat 38 – a space reborn for learning, faith, and outreach.
Sunday’s open house welcomed members of the church and the public; Monday’s event was for invited guests from genealogical, humanitarian, and cultural organizations. That afternoon, the center was formally inaugurated in a nationwide broadcast.
Elder James W. McConkie, Second Counselor in the Europe Central Area Presidency, said of the center: “The Visitors’ Center at Nowy Świat is a place of learning and a generational bridge. Located on one of the most vibrant streets in Warsaw, it powerfully connects past and present.”
The center includes a FamilySearch Center, open to all. Michał Marciniak, president of the Warsaw Genealogical Society, called it “especially valuable for those seeking access to records that aren’t freely available online.” The Church’s digitization efforts across Europe now allow access to millions of historical records, supported by AI-powered tools.
A small exhibition honors the Church’s history in Poland. The building, acquired in 1979, became the first Church-owned facility in communist Europe outside East Germany.
According to Dariusz F. Dresler, president of the Warsaw congregation, “it’s not just another visitor center – it means something. It’s also perfect for missionary work.”
Missionaries will use the center to meet with visitors and share the gospel. Senior missionaries will be assigned, and regular hours established.
| Temple Square is always beautiful in the springtime. Gardeners work to prepare the ground for General Conference. © 2012 Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. | 1 / 2 |
President Gregory D. Roney of the Poland Warsaw Mission, who offered the dedicatory prayer, said: “We have been led to renew this sacred house of worship. This visitors’ center will help further the ‘Gathering’ in new and extraordinary ways.”
Christian Fingerle, who leads Church History efforts in Central Europe, reflected: “The modest beginnings of the premises were in sheer contrast to the believers’ profound and shining faith.” And he continues: “Because of the rich history of the Church I feel a deep connection to these pioneers, not only because my mom was born outside of Wrocław.”
Elder McConkie expressed “great faith and confidence in the future of the Church and its people throughout Poland,” and shared Psalm 100:5 as an expression of the blessings represented in the restored Nowy Swiat Visitors’ Center: “For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endure to all generations.”
As the Church in Poland continues to grow, the Visitors’ Center on Nowy Świat stands as a testament to the enduring power of faith, memory, and community. It is a place where history is preserved, families are connected, and the gospel of Jesus Christ is shared with love and purpose.