Corpus Christi Church in Bytom

Corpus Christi Church in Miechowice, a district of Bytom, is a three-aisled basilica of brick and plaster on a Latin cross plan. It was built in 1914-1917 in the Neo-Baroque style with elements of Functionalism. The building is 48 m long and 29 m wide, and its entry in the heritage register was confirmed in 2019.

Construction

Work began on 1 April 1914 under the direction of the parish priest of the nearby Holy Cross parish, Father Jan Kuboth. The design was prepared by the architect Teodor Ehl. The consecration on 6 October 1917 was performed by the Archbishop of Wrocław, Cardinal Adolf Bertram, and a separate parish was established in 1918. The tower, 47 m high, was ready as early as July 1915; its corners are decorated with sculptures of the four evangelists, and it also has four clocks. The spire was originally to be of copper; during the Second World War it was covered with tiles, in 1980 with zinc sheet, and in 1996 again with copper.

Interior

The high altar holds a painting of the Last Supper by an unknown artist, associated with the Munich school; beside it stand sculptures of St Hedwig and St Hyacinth. The side altars are dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Our Lady of Sorrows, and the Neo-Baroque wooden sculptures were made by the Rybnik sculptor Franciszek Masorz. The organ by Carl Berschdorf has 24 stops. The painting on the arch before the chancel, showing the miraculous multiplication of the loaves, was destroyed by mining damage; in 1989 it was recreated by Paweł Majok.

Nearby

A little over a kilometre away stand the Tiele-Winckler Palace in Miechowice and the park surrounding it. Also nearby is the Szombierki Power Station.

Practical information

• Address: ulica Kasztanowa 3, Bytom-Miechowice.
• A working church; information on the possibility of visiting is given by the parish on the website bcmiechowice.pl.