Parish church in Żywiec's Oczków district from 1982-1986, with an openwork tower and a structure resting on concrete wells.
The Church of St Maximilian Kolbe stands in Żywiec, in the Oczków district, on ul. Krakowska, near the junction with ul. Oczkowska. It is the seat of a parish covering the whole district and an example of contemporary church architecture built in the 1980s.
Before a church of its own was built, Oczków belonged to the parish in Łękawica. Religion lessons were held in a private flat, where from 1977 Masses were also celebrated. In 1978 Cardinal Karol Wojtyła visited the place and encouraged residents to build a church. The building permit was issued on 25 September 1981, the design was prepared by Weronika and Zbigniew Kołder of Cieszyn, and work lasted from June 1982 to 1986. The parish was erected in 1983, and the church was blessed on 18 October 1986 by Cardinal Franciszek Macharski.
The church is built of brick and reinforced-concrete elements. Because of the ground, the structure rests on 24 shafts 9 metres deep, filled with concrete. The building has a rectangular plan; on the east a four-sided chapel was added which narrows towards the top, and at the front an openwork tower set into the left corner. The windows are placed at different levels. Because the ground slopes, catechetical rooms are located on the ground floor.
Inside, the altar holds an image of Jesus and sculptures of St Maximilian Kolbe and St Joseph. To the right of the altar stands the chapel of Our Lady of Częstochowa.
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