Church of St Francis of Assisi in Bielsko-Biała-Wapienica

The Church of St Francis of Assisi is in Wapienica, a district of Bielsko-Biała. It is a parish church of the Bielsko-Biała II - Stare Bielsko deanery in the Diocese of Bielsko-Żywiec, and its beginnings were a modest chapel from 1931.

From chapel to church

The foundation stone for a chapel dedicated to St Francis and the Blessed Virgin Mary Help of Christians was blessed on 14 September 1930. The design was made by the Bielsko firm Korn, and the finished chapel was consecrated on 4 September 1931. At first it was a branch of the parish of St Nicholas in Bielsko, represented today by St Nicholas' Cathedral in Bielsko-Biała.

After 1948, when Father Jan Jeżowicz became the permanent pastor, it was decided to enlarge the building. Work began in 1950 after permits were obtained, in September of that year the foundation stone for the new church was blessed, and in 1951 the church was consecrated. In 1953 a curacy was established at it, and on 28 May 1957 it was converted into an independent parish.

Practical information

• Location: Wapienica, a southern district of Bielsko-Biała.
• An active parish church; check service times and visiting hours with the parish.