Church of St Matthias the Apostle in Zabrze-Maciejów

The Church of St Matthias the Apostle stands in the Maciejów district of Zabrze and belongs to the Zabrze deanery of the Gliwice diocese. It was built in the 1930s, and its history was strongly marked by mining damage.

Construction and structure

The construction was led by the parish priest of St Andrew's parish in Zabrze, Father Oskar Golombek. The design was made by the architect Felix Hinssen of Nysa, and the work was supervised by the Zabrze master builder Johann Golla. A wooden frame joined with beams was set on a deep foundation, and the space was filled with concrete mortar. The nave measures 42 by 14 metres, and the chancel about 7.5 by 7.6 metres. The ceilings were covered with wooden panels, intended to recall the old wooden churches of Upper Silesia. The church was blessed on 20 December 1936.

Mining damage and later history

As a result of mining, the building was seriously damaged and remained in a shell state until 1963. A general renovation began in 1964. In November 1986 a tower was added, and in 1987-1988 new bells were bought. The church has a two-manual organ from 1937, made by a firm from Nysa, with a gallery above the main entrance.

Practical information

• Location: Maciejów district in Zabrze, near ulica Kondratowicza.
• A parish church; the interior can be visited outside services, and the times should be checked with the parish.
• In the area of Zabrze you can also see the water tower in Zabrze.