Church of St John the Baptist in Bielsko-Biała

The Lutheran (Evangelical Augsburg) Church of St John the Baptist stands on ulica Sobieskiego in Stare Bielsko, in Bielsko-Biała. It is a Neoclassical church from 1818-1827, built on the south-western part of an 11th-century stronghold site, with a three-aisled interior and wooden galleries.

Construction and extension

The Lutheran parish in Stare Bielsko was founded in 1814. The foundation stone was blessed on 12 May 1818 by the superintendent Johann Georg Schmitz, and construction was led by the Bielsko builder Jerzy Biowski. In 1848 the Lutherans received permission to build towers, so the church was raised by one storey and a tower with an onion-shaped cupola was added, consecrated in 1852.

Interior

The three-aisled interior has wooden galleries on three levels in the side aisles, the third of which is blind. Most of the furnishings date from 1827: a low stone altar with four marble columns and figures of the four Evangelists, a wooden pulpit above it, a figure of Christ on the canopy, a Late Baroque font and an organ. Four crystal chandeliers were donated by craft guilds.

Nearby

The church is listed in the heritage register. In the centre of Bielsko-Biała, about 1.7 km away, stands the Sułkowski Castle.

Practical information

• Address: ul. Jana III Sobieskiego 110, Bielsko-Biała.
• The Lutheran parish sets the rules for visiting the interior.