St Paul the Apostle's Church in Zabrze

St Paul the Apostle's Church in Zabrze stands in the Pawłów district on ulica Sikorskiego. It was built in 1929-1933, and the heritage register describes it as Neo-Baroque. The brick façade and massive tower, however, also give it Romanesque features.

Construction in 1929-1933

The design, which Bishop Arkadiusz Lisiecki had pushed for, was made by Zygmunt Gawlik of Kraków and Franciszek Mączyński. The parish priest considered the design too expensive for the parish, but agreed to start the work. The first excavation was made in May 1929, the foundation stone was laid in September of that year, and the bells were blessed in 1932. The church was consecrated on 10 September 1933.

Architecture and interior

The architects wanted to express Polishness and break away from German models, so they drew on early medieval Polish churches rebuilt in the Baroque period. The curved cornice by the clock and the onion dome of the tower have a Baroque character, while the unplastered brick, thick walls and the window of the upper storey of the tower in the form of a triforium are Romanesque. The aisles are covered with a barrel vault.

Inside one can see the painted decoration by Antoni Cygan, including the Stations of the Cross and two large paintings with scenes from the life of St Paul: the stoning of St Stephen and the conversion of Saul. In the south aisle hangs a triptych with a copy of the painting of Divine Mercy.

Practical information

• Address: ul. gen. Władysława Sikorskiego 67b, Zabrze.
• An active parish church, check the rules for visiting the interior on the parish website.
• Nearby you will find the post-industrial sites of Zabrze, for example the Guido Historic Coal Mine.