Church of the Holy Trinity in Chełm Śląski

The Church of the Holy Trinity in Chełm Śląski is a brick church from the end of the 17th century, entered in the heritage register in 1966. Over three centuries it was extended several times, so today it has a Latin cross plan with a tower.

From a wooden chapel to brick

The original church in Chełm was wooden and had three altars. At the end of the 17th century the existing chapel was replaced by a brick church, built thanks to a foundation by Bishop Jan Małachowski dating from 1686. The consecration took place on 23 April 1689. Beside it, on the south side, stood a wooden bell tower, which was demolished only in the 1870s. A thorough renovation was carried out in 1766-1767, and at the turn of the 19th century a parish cemetery with the chapel of St Peter was laid out by the church.

Extensions

In 1883 the parish priest Franciszek Gach began another extension. A brick transept and a porch with a music gallery, on which a new organ was installed, were added to the nave. The work continued until 1887 to a design by the builder Lukas. The extension of 1850-1890 changed the plan from a rectangle to a Latin cross. In 1904-1907 a tower was added, in 1935 a parish house, and the last thorough renovation was carried out in 1970-1980. The present shape of the building is the work of the architects Koziczynski and Kotz of Pszczyna.

Practical information

• Place: Chełm Śląski, Bieruń-Lędziny County, Śląska Street.
• The church is in use; check with the parish whether the interior can be visited.
• The nearest churches described are the church in Imielin and the Church of St Clement in Lędziny.