Pro-Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Strzyżowice

The Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Strzyżowice is the pro-cathedral of the Kraków-Częstochowa Diocese of the Polish Catholic Church in Poland. The church was built in 1963-1965 for a parish founded in 1961.

Where the parish came from

The parish was established in 1961 as a result of the missionary work of the Polish Catholic Church. At first the faithful gathered in a chapel set up in a private flat, and in 1962 the parish founded its own burial cemetery. In 1970-1979 it had a branch in Sosnowiec, from which an independent parish of Our Lady of Sorrows grew. Worshippers also came to Mass from Będzin, Czeladź, Grodziec, Dobieszowice and other nearby places.

The church and its interior

The church was built in 1963-1965, and the cross on the tower was solemnly blessed on 15 August 1965. The church is 26 metres long, 14 metres wide and 15 metres high. In 2001 it was raised to the dignity of a pro-cathedral of the diocese.

The interior decoration was done by a painter from Rogoźnik. The altar of St Barbara was also restored, taken over from the assembly hall of the “Grodziec” mine when it was rebuilt. In the side altars hang paintings of Our Lady of Perpetual Help and of the Suffering Christ. The lower part of the building holds a parish hall.

Nearby

Strzyżowice lies in Będzin County. It is about eight kilometres from here to the historic sites of Będzin, and the history of the town is told by Będzin Castle.

Practical information

• Village: Strzyżowice, Będzin County.
• This is a working parish church, so visiting the interior depends on the services.
• Mass times are given by the parish on its website; it is worth checking them before your visit.