A communist idea of Nowa Huta was to be a city without God. But early as 15 June 1952 it was decided that the first parish would be established here. On 17 March 1957 a cross was installed and consecrated on the site where the church was planned to be built. However, in April 1960 the authorities withdrew their permit for the church construction and decide to remove the cross. Thousands of residents of Nowa Huta, along with Archbishop Eugeniusz Baziak and Bishop Karol Wojtyła, stood up in its defence on 27 April 1960.

The chapel was designed by architects Dr Krzysztof Ingarden, Dr Przemysław Gawor and Jacek Ewy MSc (Arch). The construction of the church was supervised by the Rev. Canon Edward Baniak. On 22 June 2001 Cardinal Franciszek Macharski consecrated the Church of the Holy Heart of Jesus. The monument in the form of a cross was designed by Professor Stefan Dousa. The surrounding area was planned to Dr Krzysztof Ingarden`s design. The monument was executed by Metalodlew Kraków.

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