A Modernist church from 1957-1963 on the Osiedle Ruch estate, whose form alludes to the chapel at Ronchamp.
The Holy Spirit Church at ulica Dąbrowskiego 104 in Chorzów is an example of Modernism in sacred architecture. It was built in 1957-1963 on the Osiedle Ruch estate, and it was entered in the heritage register in 2022 together with the chapel and the connecting passage.
Work began in 1957. In 1958 a chapel was built and made available to worshippers. Construction was interrupted when the church stood under a roof, because the main initiator of the works, the parish priest, was arrested and sentenced to three years in prison for possessing building materials from an illegal source. In 1961 the post was taken over by Father Teodor Polaczek, who obtained permission to continue the work. The church was consecrated on 15 June 1963. The design was by the architects Mieczysław Król, Jerzy Winnicki and Zygmunt Winnicki, and the structural engineer was Franciszek Klimek.
The brick, single-nave structure has a rounded, pure form that alludes to Le Corbusier's chapel at Ronchamp. Its shape resembles a boat on a stormy sea, and the passage between the church and the temporary church resembles an oar. Three chapels are separated by white walls, which are meant to symbolise open books.
The stained glass was designed by Maria Skąpska and has survived intact, and the Stations of the Cross were made by Zygmunt Brachmański.
Not far away stands the Teatr Rozrywki, and a little further the Prezydent shaft, a remnant of a former mine.
Be the first! Add a comment.
You need to log in to add a comment.
Log in