In a move calculated to snub the Polish Catholic authorities, the Russian government recognized the Mariavite movement as a "tolerated sect" in November 1906, and recognized it as a separate and independent church in 1912.
By 1906 there were about 50,000–60,000 adherents organized into 16 parishes.
Five years later, historical sources report 160,000 adherents.

The organization of the Mariavite community somewhat resembled Protestant communities, in that each member of the congregation had a right to speak out on issues.
Mariavites were not only active in the religious sphere, but they became active in social, educational and cultural projects.
They were soon organizing kindergartens, schools, Literacy classes, libraries, kitchens for the poor, shops, printing houses, poorhouses, orphanages factories and animal husbandry.
Their parishes soon built new churches and community centres causing dismay in the Roman Catholic Church.

In 1914 they finished their main church in Płock, the Sanctuary of Mercy and Charity.
They bought an estate of 5 square kilometres (1.9 sq mi) near Płock which they named Felicjanów after Kozłowska.
Another controversial innovation was that from 1906, they celebrated the liturgy in the Polish vernacular, rather than in Latin.
Excommunicated by the Catholic Church, they desired reintegration with the historic apostolic succession and recognition of their bishop.

They contacted the Old Catholic Church of the Netherlands through the good offices of Russian General Alexander Kireyev.
In 1909 the first Mariavite bishop was consecrated to the episcopate in Utrecht, by the Old Catholic Church of the Netherlands Archbishop Gerardus Gul.
In 1919 they officially changed the group's name to the Old Catholic Church of the Mariavites.

The first period of the Mariavite movement ended with the death of Kozłowska in 1921.
A reform movement changed had transformed into the development of a new denomination.
This period was the most successful for the Mariavites.
They developed many activities for the adherents.
Gradually the number of adherents decreased.
In 1921 there were officially 43,000 adherents.
They created numerous social institutions, built facilities, founded magazines, and published books relating to their mission.
In a move calculated to snub the Polish Catholic authorities, the Russian government recognized the Mariavite movement as a "tolerated sect" in November 1906, and recognized it as a separate and independent church in 1912. By 1906 there were about 50,000–60,000 adherents organized into 16 parishes. Five years later, historical sources report 160,000 adherents.
The organization of the Mariavite community somewhat resembled Protestant communities, in that each member of the congregation had a right to speak out on issues. Mariavites were not only active in the religious sphere, but they became active in social, educational and cultural projects. They were soon organizing kindergartens, schools, Literacy classes, libraries, kitchens for the poor, shops, printing houses, poorhouses, orphanages factories and animal husbandry. Their parishes soon built new churches and community centres causing dismay in the Roman Catholic Church.
In 1914 they finished their main church in Płock, the Sanctuary of Mercy and Charity. They bought an estate of 5 square kilometres (1.9 sq mi) near Płock which they named Felicjanów after Kozłowska. Another controversial innovation was that from 1906, they celebrated the liturgy in the Polish vernacular, rather than in Latin. Excommunicated by the Catholic Church, they desired reintegration with the historic apostolic succession and recognition of their bishop.
They contacted the Old Catholic Church of the Netherlands through the good offices of Russian General Alexander Kireyev. In 1909 the first Mariavite bishop was consecrated to the episcopate in Utrecht, by the Old Catholic Church of the Netherlands Archbishop Gerardus Gul. In 1919 they officially changed the group's name to the Old Catholic Church of the Mariavites.
The first period of the Mariavite movement ended with the death of Kozłowska in 1921. A reform movement changed had transformed into the development of a new denomination. This period was the most successful for the Mariavites. They developed many activities for the adherents. Gradually the number of adherents decreased. In 1921 there were officially 43,000 adherents. They created numerous social institutions, built facilities, founded magazines, and published books relating to their mission.
Mariavite Church