A late Baroque church from 1780-1782, the oldest in Tychy, extended in 1906-1907 to a Latin cross plan.
The Basilica of St Mary Magdalene on Damrota Street in Tychy is the oldest church in the town. The late Baroque church of 1780-1782 was extended at the beginning of the 20th century to the shape of a Latin cross. Today it has the title of minor basilica, the seventh such church in the Archdiocese of Katowice.
Building work began in 1780, and after two years the church was ready for consecration. Part of the funds was donated by the Prince of Pszczyna, Frederick Erdmann of Anhalt-Köthen, and the design was prepared by the architect Jan Gest. After more than 120 years the church needed enlarging. The plans were drawn up by Max Schliwa of Zabrze, and in 1906-1907 the nave and chancel were lengthened and a transept was added. In 1928-1929 the old tower was replaced with a new, more imposing one.
The church is oriented and built on a Latin cross plan. At the west end it has a narrow tower crowned with a two-storey bulbous helm with a lantern. The wide main nave is crossed by a transept with ornamental gables, and the chancel ends in a semicircle. On the roof stands a small bell turret. The heritage register describes the building as brick and entered in 1966.
The first mentions of an organ in this church come from documents of 1720. The instrument was moved to the new church in 1782, and in the 19th century it was repaired and rebuilt several times. The rebuilding in 1939 was carried out by the firm “Klimosz i Dyrschlag” of Rybnik, and the general overhaul in 1994 by a team of organ builders with Jan Wyleżoł.
A few hundred metres from the church stands the Tyskie Browarium, and right next to it the Tychy City Museum. Not far away is also the Little Theatre (Teatr Mały).
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