St Bartholomew the Apostle's Church in Bieruń

St Bartholomew the Apostle's Church in Bieruń Stary is a brick parish church, entered in the heritage register. The present building is the fourth to be erected on this site. It dominates the area, and the view of it opens from Krakowska Street.

Four churches on one site

In 1770 the tower of the wooden church was pulled down and a new one built, and in 1776 a brick body was built, blessed on 20 October of that year. In 1833 a sacristy and the chapel of St Barbara were added. The church burned down in 1845 in a fire that engulfed the whole town. The rebuilding in 1851-1859 took a long time because of a lack of funds; it was designed by Józef Linke of Racibórz and construction was led by Augustyn Kern of Gliwice. The new church was blessed on 29 May 1859 by the auxiliary bishop of Wrocław, Bernard Bogedain. During the Second World War an artillery shell damaged part of the building, and in 1948 two sacristies were added.

Interior

In the side altar of the Blessed Virgin Mary of 1859 is placed a 16th-century image of Our Lady of Bieruń. In the south aisle stands the altar of the Holy Cross with a large carved cross; the figure of Christ, from 1872, was brought from the Bavarian town of Amerang. The font in the chancel dates from 1730, and on the rear walls of the transept hang two 18th-century paintings in the style of Rubens, the Adoration of the Shepherds and the Adoration of the Magi. The stained-glass windows were made in 1948-1954 to a design by Zdzisław Gedliczka.

The Christmas crib

Since 1955, at Christmas time, a moving crib made by residents of Bieruń has been set up in the church, and this is when tourists are glad to visit.

Nearby

In the immediate vicinity stand St Valentine's Church and the Municipal Museum in Bieruń. A short walk also leads to the former synagogue.

Practical information

• Address: ulica Krakowska, Bieruń Stary.
• A working church; check the rules for visiting outside services with the parish.