Church of St John the Baptist in Bielsko-Biała

The Church of St John the Baptist stands in Komorowice, a district of Bielsko-Biała, on św. Jana Chrzciciela Street. It is a brick church in the neo-Gothic style with elements of modernist architecture, entered in the heritage register.

Construction and history

Construction began in 1921 under the parish priest Jan Szneider. The design was prepared by the architect Emanuel Rost junior, and the new church was modelled on the Cathedral of St Nicholas in Bielsko-Biała. The work took a long time: in 1924 the Metropolitan of Kraków, Prince Adam Sapieha, visited the unfinished church, the first services were held from the autumn of 1929, and on 6 September 1931 the Blessed Sacrament was moved to the new church from the old one.

The war years and reconstruction

During the German occupation an observation post was set up in the tower. In 1945, during artillery fire, the windows, stained glass and roof were destroyed. The post-war reconstruction was led by the parish priest Franciszek Smolarek, and the church was consecrated on 26 April 1964 by Julian Groblicki, auxiliary bishop of Kraków.

Practical information

• Address: św. Jana Chrzciciela 32, Bielsko-Biała (Komorowice).
• The church is in use; it is best to arrange a visit to the interior with the parish or check its website.
• It is about 3 km from here to the town centre, where you will find, among other things, the Sułkowski Dukes' Castle.