St Anthony's Church in Gliwice

St Anthony's Church is a parish church in the Wójtowa Wieś district of Gliwice, built in the 1920s on Herman's Hill. It is distinguished by its 51-metre tower with a viewing terrace and its location at 236 m above sea level.

Construction in 1925-1927

In 1924-1925 a parish house was built on the hill, with the church beside it. Construction began on 30 June 1925, the walls were ready in the spring of 1926, and the work was completed in 1927. The designers were Hans Sattler and Karl Schabik. Sources describe the style differently: the church is described as modernist with neo-Romanesque and neo-Gothic references, while the city's website says that from the outside it refers to the Romanesque style with elements of modernism.

Interior and organ

The church holds relics of St Anthony. The high altar was made by the Gliwice firm Müzberg, and the bas-reliefs are the work of Paul Ondrusch. The sculptures decorating the pillars of the nave come from the altar of Jan Strządała.

In the choir loft above the entrance stands a 50-stop organ by Carl Berschdorf of Nysa, consecrated on Sunday 22 November 1936, on the feast of St Cecilia, patron saint of church music. A concert with the builder of the instrument himself took place on that occasion.

Tower and view

The tower is 51 m high and has a viewing terrace, and thanks to the hilltop location the visibility from it is very good. Whether and when the terrace is open to visitors has to be checked with the parish.

If you are visiting Gliwice, nearby you can also see the park at plac Grunwaldzki and the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church.

Practical information

• Address: ul. Bartosza Głowackiego 3, Gliwice (Wójtowa Wieś).
• This is an active parish church: arrange a visit outside services with the parish.
• Parish website given in the city's catalogue: antoni.celis.pl.