Church of Our Lady of Sorrows in Rybnik

The Church of Our Lady of Sorrows, known as the Old Church, stands on Plac Kościelny in Rybnik. It was built in 1798-1801 and until the early 20th century was the town's most important church, until the church of St Anthony was built.

Built of brick after the demolition of an earlier church

The design was prepared in 1794 by the architect Franciszek Ilgner. In 1796 the chapel of St John was pulled down, and the bricks for the construction came partly from the demolition of the church “na Górce”, the first brick church in what is now Rybnik. The master mason was Karol Tietze of Racibórz, and the carpentry was led by Jakub Włodarz of Żory. Most of the funds were provided by the King of Prussia Frederick William III and Count Antoni Węgierski, then lord of Rybnik. The church was blessed on 15 November 1801 by Abbot Bernard Galbierz. It was renovated in 1858, 1926 and 1995-1996. The priest Franciszek Blachnicki was baptised in this church.

Baroque and Classicism, a modest interior

The brick church has a single nave and is in the Baroque-Classicist style, with a tower with a domed helm above the entrance. The bell tower is built into the body of the church. The furnishings are modest and largely original. The most valuable are the late Gothic sculptures in the chancel, which come from the triptych of the former parish church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and the side altars are dated to 1800. The organ from 1962 has 35 stops, three manuals and a pedal.

In the centre of Rybnik

The church stands right next to the Museum in Rybnik and the Rybnik Land Theatre, and nearby are also the Basilica of St Anthony and the Edukatorium Juliusz.

Practical information

• Address: Plac Kościelny, Rybnik.
• This is a working parish church; the history of the parish is presented on the website bolesna-rybnik.pl.