Church of St Anthony of Padua in Katowice-Panewniki

The Church of St Anthony of Padua is a parish church in the Ligota-Panewniki district of Katowice, on Panewnicka Street. It is part of the Franciscan monastery complex in Stare Panewniki, built in 2019-2023 to a design by Grzegorz Ratajski. It was blessed on 4 June 2023.

Why a new church

The first church of the Stare Panewniki parish was a building at Panewnicka 463, created by converting a restaurant. The Franciscans received it as a gift in 1958, and a few days later the first service was held in it. The independent parish of St Anthony of Padua was established on 22 March 1981. The decision to build a new church was taken in 2017, when the parish had about 3-4 thousand members. The building site was blessed on 10 April 2019, and work began in May of the same year. The construction was financed from the funds of the religious province, the faithful and donors.

Architecture

The church has a footprint of 649 m². Its facade is clad in clinker brick, which echoes the Panewniki basilica and monastery. The building is crowned by a dome in which a time capsule was placed, and above the main entrance, on the pediment, stands a concrete figure of St Anthony. Adjoining the church are a parish house with meeting rooms and a monastery of three wings: with pastoral rooms, a two-level chapel and a residential part with 12 friars' rooms and four guest rooms.

Interior

A copy of the San Damiano cross hangs in the chancel. In the middle is a painting of the Merciful Jesus, and at the sides paintings of St Anthony of Padua and St Francis of Assisi, beside which relics of the saints are displayed. Above the paintings are stained-glass windows with the Lamb of God, a dove and the image of the hand of God the Father. One of the side altars is dedicated to Our Lady of Fatima, and on the other side of the chancel is the Blessed Sacrament chapel.

Nearby

In this part of Katowice lies Starganiec, and a little further on the Basilica of St Louis the King and the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which the clinker of the new church echoes.

Practical information

• Location: Panewnicka Street, Ligota-Panewniki district of Katowice.
• The church is an active parish church; check service times with the parish before your visit.