Church of St Barbara in Strumień

The Church of St Barbara stands in Strumień on 1 Maja Street and is a shrine of St Barbara. The brick church was built in 1789-1790 in the Baroque style, funded by Albert Casimir, Duke of Cieszyn, and his wife, Archduchess Maria Christina.

History of the building

The church was blessed on 5 December 1790. In 1945 it was badly damaged when the town was shelled and was quickly rebuilt. The building stands on marshy ground, so in 1960-1970 its walls were reinforced and the interior renovated. The church is entered in the heritage register, and it received the status of a shrine by a decree of 2009.

An illusionistic altar and the organ

In 1999, during conservation work, a late Baroque fresco was discovered on the wall behind the high altar, showing an architectural altar painted in an illusionistic manner. It was probably made in 1789-1790, and the artist is not known. Painted decoration was also discovered on the other walls of the chancel.

The church has an organ by Rieger from 1904, built in Jägerndorf. The instrument has two manuals and a pedal and 20 stops, of which 14 actually sound.

In the neighbourhood

The church lies in the town centre, only a few dozen metres from the Town Hall in Strumień. About 5 kilometres away, in Drogomyśl, stands the Evangelical Augsburg Church in Drogomyśl.

Practical information

• Address: ul. 1 Maja 9, Strumień.
• A working parish church and shrine; visiting the interior depends on services.
• Information about accessibility is given by the parish.