Church of the Saviour in Bielsko-Biała

The Church of the Saviour stands on plac Marcina Lutra in the centre of Bielsko-Biała, on the so-called Bielsko Zion. It is the church of the Lutheran (Evangelical Augsburg) parish and the bishop's church of the Diocese of Cieszyn.

History

After the Edict of Toleration of Emperor Joseph II of 1781, Protestants could build churches. The foundation stone was laid on 19 March 1782, and construction lasted until 1790. A fire in the town in 1808 destroyed many buildings, and the church was rebuilt the same year. In 1849-1852 a western tower in the Neo-Romanesque style was added to a design by Emanuel Rost senior, and in 1881-1882 the Viennese architect Heinrich von Ferstel rebuilt the body of the church in the Neo-Gothic spirit. In 1895-1896 the tower was raised.

Form and interior

The tower is about 68 metres high and has an octagonal spire. The interior has three aisles, with a cross-ribbed vault and galleries on two levels. The church has a pulpit with a canopy on three marble columns, a painting of the “Crucifixion” from 1867 and an organ from 1881. Display cases show old Polish Lutheran prints. Next to the church stands a monument to Martin Luther from 1900.

In the neighbourhood

A few hundred metres away are the Sułkowski Castle, the Cathedral of St Nicholas and the Polish Theatre.

Practical information

• Address: plac Marcina Lutra, Bielsko-Biała.
• The church is in use; visiting hours for the interior are given by the parish.