Church of St Anthony of Padua in Katowice-Panewniki

The former Church of St Anthony of Padua at Panewnicka 463 in Katowice-Stare Panewniki was created in the building of a former restaurant. It was the first parish church of the Parish of St Anthony of Padua until 2023, when this role was taken over by a new church at Panewnicka 451.

From restaurant to chapel

In 1958 the Franciscans received the building of the former Waleski Schwertfeger restaurant. A chapel dedicated to St Anthony of Padua and a monastery house were opened in it. The conversion was carried out without the required permission from the authorities, and the chapel was blessed on 22 February 1958 as a branch of the church in Panewniki. After 1974 the former residential part was converted into a monastery. For many years the authorities demanded that the building be closed as an illegal place of worship. Permission for a bell tower and a mortuary, and approval of the work already done, was obtained in 1986.

Character of the building

This is a rather low church, whose distinguishing feature is a bell tower with a cross. In the chancel stands an altar, with a cross by Zygmunt Binczak on the right, a copy of the Assisi cross painted on wood, and on the left a painting of St Anthony by Franciszek Janoszka. The tabernacle was made by Anzelm Dziewior. The parish in Stare Panewniki was established on 22 March 1981.

Practical information

• Address: ulica Panewnicka 463, Katowice, Ligota-Panewniki district.
• Descriptions state that the building houses an Occupational Therapy Workshop. Check the current access rules to the former church with the parish.