Church of St Barbara and St Valentine in Siewierz

A small church on Krakowska Street in Siewierz was built as a hospital church. Today it is a branch church of the parish of St Matthias the Apostle, and its interior holds altars from the 17th and 18th centuries.

For the town hospital

Construction was completed in 1618, funded by the townspeople of Siewierz. The church was intended for the hospital, which had operated in the town since 1515. It is a single-nave masonry building of brick, plastered and painted white, with a small turret for a bell.

Furnishings

The main altar in the apse is late Renaissance and dates from 1620-1640. It is decorated with strapwork ornament and with sculptures of Sts Adalbert, Stanislaus and Martin, Our Lady with the Child, two female saints and two angels. In the centre is a painting of Sts Valentine and Barbara from 1639. The polygonal tabernacle was made at the same time and is decorated with sculptures of angels and of Christ the Saviour.

The two side altars are Baroque, from the early 18th century, with decoration from the 18th century. One has a painting of Our Lady of the Angels, the other figures of Sts Lawrence and Andrew painted on boards. The Baroque wooden pulpit from the 17th century has images of the four Evangelists, and the choir gallery is supported on two columns.

The ensemble is completed by a stone Baroque wall stoup. In the same part of town stands the Bishops' Castle, and not far away also the Church of St Matthias the Apostle, to which this church belongs parochially.

Practical information

• Address: ulica Krakowska 37, Siewierz.
• The church is a monument entered in the register, and the interior is usually available during services or by arrangement with the parish.
• Before a visit it is worth checking the condition and the rules of entry with the parish of St Matthias.