Sanctuary of St Joseph in Częstochowa

The Sanctuary of St Joseph, that is, the church of St Joseph the Worker, stands on a hill in the Raków district of Częstochowa, on Stefana Okrzei street. It has had the status of a sanctuary since 2002, and its interior is decorated, among other things, with a chapel of perpetual adoration.

History of the church

In 1904 a small chapel was built here on the initiative of Ryta Mierzwińska, and a year later a larger one, thanks to the efforts of Father Bolesław Osadnik. The money was given by Bernard Hantke, then owner of the nearby ironworks. The parish was established on 9 February 1910. The present church was designed by Stefan Szyller and Wiesław Kononowicz, because the earlier plans were lost during the First World War. Construction began in 1926 and the church was brought into use in 1928. Bishop Teodor Kubina blessed it a year later, and the consecration took place in 1962.

In 1941 the Germans requisitioned the church bells and melted them down for weapons; new ones were bought only in 1950. In 1956 the parish's dedication was changed to St Joseph the Worker.

What the church looks like

According to the parish, the church was built on a Latin cross plan, with a three-part façade and two low towers: one square, the other polygonal with a bulbous helmet. The design combines features of the Baroque, Renaissance and Gothic. Above the crossing of the nave and transept stands a decorative bell turret.

The interior and the surroundings of the church

Among the most important elements of the interior the parish lists the octagonal chapel of perpetual adoration, with a pink granite floor and an altar of travertine from Działoszyn. In the main retable is placed an ancient painting of St Joseph, venerated for centuries in the Wieluń region, and in the transept a Baroque painting of St Barbara, patron saint of steelworkers. The side aisles have stained-glass windows, six of them on themes from the Book of Revelation. The organ was completed in 1955 by the firm of Stefan Truszczyński of Włocławek, and the instrument has 39 stops.

Outside, on the western side, runs the Way of the Resurrection of the Polish Nation (Droga Zmartwychwstania Narodu Polskiego), and under the cloisters on the Okrzei street side are fourteen paintings of the Paths of St Joseph. In the courtyard stands a papal bell tower.

Practical information

• Address: ul. Stefana Okrzei, Częstochowa (Raków district).
• Times of Masses and services are given by the parish on sanktuariumjozefa.pl. A visit outside services is best arranged with the parish.
• The church is a working place of worship, so dress and behaviour appropriate to a place of worship apply.

Not far away, in the same district, is the Lusatian Culture Archaeological Reserve, and Jasna Góra lies a few kilometres away.