Find a church with Polish Mass near you
Use your location to see Catholic churches nearby, then check each listing or parish website for Polish-language Mass times.
How the Polish Catholic Mission works
The Polish Catholic Mission (Polska Misja Katolicka) operates with the blessing of both the Polish church and the Catholic bishops of England and Wales; Scotland has its own Polish Mission. Polish priests are sent to serve Polish parishes and chaplaincies, some based in churches the Mission owns, others celebrating Mass as guests in local diocesan parish churches. That second pattern explains why Polish Mass often takes place in an ordinary English parish church at a set hour, commonly Sunday early afternoon or evening, once the parish's own Masses have finished.
London has historic centres such as the Polish church in Ealing and St Andrew Bobola in Shepherd's Bush, and there are established Polish parishes in cities including Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds, Bradford, Slough and Edinburgh. Since 2004 the Mission has added Mass locations in dozens of smaller towns wherever Polish communities have settled.
What to expect at a Polish Mass
- The Mass itself is familiar. It follows the same Roman rite as any Catholic Mass, so non-Polish speakers can follow the structure easily. See our general Catholic guide for the basics.
- Devotional warmth. Polish Catholicism carries strong devotions: to Our Lady of Czestochowa, the Divine Mercy (St Faustina), and St John Paul II. Expect sung Marian hymns and well-attended confession.
- Full churches. Polish Masses are often among the best attended in a town, with many young families.
- The calendar matters. Christmas Eve pasterka (midnight Mass), the blessing of Easter baskets on Holy Saturday (swieconka), All Souls' visits to graves, and first communions in May are major fixtures of community life.
More than Sunday Mass
Polish parishes are community anchors. Many run Saturday schools teaching Polish language, history and religion to children, scout groups, folk dance ensembles, and preparation for baptism, first communion, confirmation and marriage in Polish. Parish halls host community events, and the priest is often the first point of contact for newly arrived families. For mixed families, clergy are used to arranging baptisms and weddings that weave Polish and English together.
Finding Polish Mass times
Because Polish Masses are often guest services in diocesan churches, they may not appear on the host parish's main schedule. Three reliable approaches:
- Check the listing in our directory for the church, then follow through to the parish website or newsletter, where Polish Mass times are usually noted.
- Search for the local Polish parish by name; most publish their own website or social media page with current times for each town they serve.
- Ask at any Catholic church; parish offices know where the nearest Polish Mass is celebrated.
You can browse all Catholic churches in the directory or work through your county to see what is near you.
Frequently asked questions
Can non-Poles attend a Polish Mass?
Of course. The Mass is open to everyone, and Catholics fulfil their Sunday obligation at Mass in any language. Many mixed couples and curious neighbours attend regularly.
Are there Polish Protestant churches in the UK?
Yes, though far fewer: Polish-language evangelical and Pentecostal fellowships meet in some larger cities, and Polish Lutherans are served through the Polish congregations of the Lutheran community. The great majority of Polish churchgoers in Britain are Catholic.
Is confession available in Polish?
Yes. Polish Mission priests hear confessions in Polish, usually before Mass and in the run-up to Christmas and Easter, when queues can be long.