Protestant Families in the Płock Diocese in the 18th and 19th Centuries

Purpose: The purpose of this article is to present the problems of the religious minority of Protestantism in the Płock diocese in the 18th and 19th centuries. It was one of the largest religious groups that came to Poland in the 16th century. The above-mentioned diocese of Płock was also inhabited by Protestant communities which disappeared over time in the areas of some of its Roman Catholic parishes. However, they exist to this day in some other places. Methods: The following article utilizes the historical method and reconstruction of facts. The following article benefits from the materials from the Diocesan Archives in Płock, as well as resources from archival extracts regarding the inhabitants of the Protestant denomination living in the area of ​​the Płock diocese, included in the protocols of general and deanery visitations. Results: Using archival resources, this study presents the situation of Protestant families, their number in individual parishes of the Płock diocese, religiosity, i.e. the number of prayer houses, cemeteries and the number of schools founded and run by teachers, also of the Protestant denomination, for their children. Conclusion: The 18th and 19th centuries was the time when Protestant families lived in most Roman Catholic parishes in the Płock diocese. Religious tolerance resulted in the revival of the religious and intellectual life of Protestants, hence they could freely organize their own temples, houses of prayer, cemeteries and schools in individual parishes. Originality: despite many existing studies on the Reformation in Mazovia and the Płock diocese, this study is the first to present the number of Protestants in the areas of individual Roman Catholic parishes of the Płock diocese and the places where their temples or prayer houses, cemeteries and schools were located.