Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Żywiec

The Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Help stands in the Kocurów-Koleby district of Żywiec, on Kocurowska street, in the parish of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

From chapel to church

From 1933 the residents of Kocurów attended Mass in a small chapel under the same dedication, and religion lessons were also held there. When it became too cramped, it was decided to build a new church. The design was prepared by a Kocurów resident, Grzegorz Rypień, and the work was carried out by a company from Moszczanica. The plot next to the chapel was donated by a married couple from the village.

The foundation stone was blessed on 22 May 1995 by Pope John Paul II during his visit to Żywiec. In 1996 a bishop blessed the building site and the cross, and on 27 June, after the patronal feast Mass held on the site, he laid the foundation stone. Construction was completed in December 1996, and the first Mass in the new walls was the Midnight Mass. The church has no organ, so hymns are sung a cappella.

In the area lies the Grapa nature reserve, and the Market Square in Żywiec is about two and a half kilometres away.

Practical information

• Address: ul. Kocurowska, Żywiec-Kocurów.
• Service times are given by the parish.