Church of St. Michael Archangel () is one of the oldest buildings in
Katowice
Katowice (, ) is the capital city of the Silesian Voivodeship in southern Poland and the central city of the Katowice urban area. As of 2021, Katowice has an official population of 286,960, and a resident population estimate of around 315,000. K ...
. It is located in
Kościuszko Park
The Kościuszko Park, which has existed since 1925, is one of the most famous and frequented parks in Katowice, Poland. It is situated at the street of the same name.
Its foundation dates back to 1888 when a municipal park was founded on the 6 ...
, where it was moved in 1938 from the village
Syrynia
Syrynia is a village in the administrative district of Gmina Lubomia, within Wodzisław County, Silesian Voivodeship, in southern Poland. It lies approximately south-east of Lubomia, west of Wodzisław Śląski, and south-west of the regional ...
, where it was originally constructed in 1510. It is under the invocation of
St. Michael
Michael, also called Saint Michael the Archangel, Archangel Michael and Saint Michael the Taxiarch is an archangel and the warrior of God in Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. The earliest surviving mentions of his name are in third- and second- ...
.
It has end-fitted log framework construction and shingled roof. Free-standing belltower was completed before 1679; it has historic lych-gate and wooden fence around the churchyard.
History
The church of St. Michael Archangel was first built in 1305 in Syrynia, near
Wodzisław Śląski
Wodzisław Śląski (; , , , , ) is a city in Silesian Voivodeship, southern Poland with 47,992 inhabitants (2019). It is the seat of Wodzisław County.
It was previously in Katowice Voivodeship (1975–1998); close to the border with the Czech ...
. At that time it had a defensive purpose; it was used by the people living in the village as a place where they could hide in, in a case of an attack. The free-standing bell tower was used as a watch tower.
The church, in the form and size it is now, was built in 1510. In the 17th century a new free standing tower was built but it was replaced by the present one in 1853. In 1913 the German Kaiser,
Wilhelm II
Wilhelm II (Friedrich Wilhelm Viktor Albert; 27 January 18594 June 1941) was the last German Emperor and King of Prussia from 1888 until Abdication of Wilhelm II, his abdication in 1918, which marked the end of the German Empire as well as th ...
, visited the church and, reportedly, admired the beauty of the church very much.
In the years 1938-1939 the church was transported to Kosciuszko Park. This was a part of a bigger project before
World War II
World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...
, which was to create a heritage park with examples of traditional
Silesian architecture
Silesian architecture is the name given to the constructions made in Silesia throughout time, and those by Silesian architects worldwide. The name is also applied to buildings made within its geographical limits before the constitution of Siles ...
. Along with the church, a 17th-century granary from Gołkowice was also moved to Kosciuszko Park. Unfortunately it was burned in a fire in 1969. The fire did not spread and the church, belfry and the fence around were not affected.
After World War II broke out, the German occupant did not allow for the church to be opened and used for services. Towards the end of the War, bunkers and trenches were built nearby the church, however in 1945 the front line moved and the church survived. In the post-war years and after changes in the political situation in
Poland
Poland, officially the Republic of Poland, is a country in Central Europe. It extends from the Baltic Sea in the north to the Sudetes and Carpathian Mountains in the south, bordered by Lithuania and Russia to the northeast, Belarus and Ukrai ...
, the church was for a few years forgotten and neglected. There was even an idea that the church should be moved again, this time to a park in
Pszczyna
Pszczyna (, ) is a town in Silesia Province in Poland, with a population of 25,823 (2019), and is the seat of a local gmina (commune) and district.
It was previously part of Katowice Province from 1975 until 1998 administrative reforms.
Etymo ...
. However the opinion of the specialists was such that the technical state of the church building does not allow the church to be transported.
After political changes in 1956 the situation of the church started to improve. The church was blessed for the third time and started to be used for services. The church also required immediate care and repair. In 1981 a new parish of St. Michael Archangel was created.
Most of the paintings that were still on the walls in 1930’s, were washed of before the church was moved to Katowice. Many of the pieces of architectural fittings are relatively new however there are things that are much older; an example could be a
baroque
The Baroque ( , , ) is a Western Style (visual arts), style of Baroque architecture, architecture, Baroque music, music, Baroque dance, dance, Baroque painting, painting, Baroque sculpture, sculpture, poetry, and other arts that flourished from ...
ambo.
See also
*
Saint Michael: Roman Catholic traditions and views
External links
A list of wooden churches-Katowice (in Polish)The parish of St. Michael Archangel in Katowice (in Polish)
References
1. ^ http://gornyslask.org.pl/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=65&Itemid=5 (Polish)
2. ^ http://www.michal.wiara.org.pl/ (Polish)
{{DEFAULTSORT:St. Michael's Church, Katowice
Michael
Michael may refer to:
People
* Michael (given name), a given name
* he He ..., a given name
* Michael (surname), including a list of people with the surname Michael
Given name
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