Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary Queen of Peace in Olza

The Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary Queen of Peace in Olza is a brick, single-nave church in the village of Olza in Wodzisław County. It was built in 1932-1935 to a design by Jan Affa of Racibórz.

The chapel from which the parish began

Before the church, the liturgical role was filled by a wooden chapel of St John of Nepomuk dating from the time of the Seven Years' War. In 1801 it was encased in stone and its dedication was changed to the Holy Family.

The chapel stands to this day and is entered in the heritage register. On its outer wall are plaques showing the water level during the floods of 1880 (cast iron) and 1997 (enamelled metal).

Construction and post-war reconstruction

A commission for the construction of the church was formed in the village in 1924, and the site manager was Alojzy Seman. The figure of St Catherine was donated by railwaymen, that of St Barbara by miners. The main painting of Our Lady Queen of Peace was made by Otton Kowalewski, and the stained glass was paid for by firefighters and the Union of Silesian Insurgents. The three bells were funded by the residents. The consecration took place on 14 August 1935.

During the Second World War the church was destroyed. The Knurów coking plant and the faithful from Piekary Śląskie and Świętochłowice helped with the rebuilding. The decoration was changed, and the top of the tower differs from the pre-war one. The rebuilt church was consecrated in 1946, and the parish was established in 1957.

Interior and surroundings

A square tower adjoins the front. In the main altar stands a figure of the Virgin Mary with Child, adored by angels, along with sculptures of St Hedwig and St Catherine. The side altars are dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Our Lady of Częstochowa.

Next to the church stands a heart-shaped monument to those missing in the Second World War, with 46 names. A cemetery is alongside.

Nearby

Close by rises the Border Meanders of the Oder Observation Tower.

Not far away also stands the Palace in Chałupki.

Practical information

• The church is an active parish church in Olza; check service times with the parish.
• The Holy Family chapel with the flood plaques is in the village and is entered in the heritage register.