Ks. Bonawentura Metler (1866-1939) duszpasterz, popularyzator astronomii, męczennik
Father Bonawentura Metler (1866-1939) – Priest, Promoter of Astronomy, Martyr

Summary/Abstract: Father Bonawentura Metler (1866-1939) came from the Polish nobility (szlachta). He was born in Ciążeń, in the Kalisz Governorate. He was ordained as a priest in 1888. He studied at theological seminaries in Włocławek, St. Petersburg, Rome, Monaco, London and Paris. He was an extremely talented man. He spoke fluently in English, Russian, German and French. He was interested in arts and natural sciences. He constructed his own telescope. He travelled around the world. From 1908, he lived in Częstochowa. He was the initiator behind the establishment of the astronomical observatory in the park near the Jasna Góra monastery and of the Polish Popular Astronomical Society (Polskie Popularne Towarzystwo Astronomiczne). He taught religion and astronomy at schools in Częstochowa. He was a parish priest in Garnek (1918-1919), Kruszyna (1919-1932), Maluszyn (1932-1934) and Parzymiechy (1934-1939). He became known as a committed priest and a good host. At the outbreak of the Second World War he was a parish priest in Parzymiechy. In retaliation for shooting at Wehrmacht soldiers, the Germans burnt down the village, and, on the second day of the war, they executed Father Metler, the vicar – Father Józef Danecki, and the organist – Ignacy Sobczak.

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