Church of the Holy Trinity in Gliwice

The Church of the Holy Trinity on Mikołowska street in Gliwice is a Neoclassical church built in 1836-1838, associated since 1945 with Catholics of the Armenian rite. It is the shrine of Our Lady of Łysiec, and its history goes back to a hospital and chapel founded in 1409.

From a hospital chapel to a church

In 1409 the Gliwice starost Michael Pillcator founded a hospital and chapel dedicated to the Holy Trinity, St Mary and St Bartholomew. Over the following centuries the buildings were repeatedly destroyed, rebuilt and altered. The present brick church was built in 1836-1838 and served as the chapel of an almshouse for poor widows. In 1872 it was taken over by the Old Catholics, who used it until 1922; later it was a branch church of the parish of Saints Peter and Paul.

The Armenian church

In 1945 the church was taken over by Catholics of the Armenian rite, expelled from the Eastern Borderlands. In 1950 the image of Our Lady of Łysiec was brought here from Stare Budkowice and a Marian shrine was established. The image was crowned in 1989; the crown had earlier been blessed at Jasna Góra by John Paul II. The Armenian Catholic parish of St Gregory the Illuminator has had its seat in Gliwice since 2009.

Nearby

It is close to the centre: the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul stands about 200 metres away, and next to it the Piast Castle.

Practical information

• Address: ul. Mikołowska, Gliwice.
• An active church; the rules for visiting are set by the parish; information at ordynariat.ormianie.pl.