Sacred Heart Church in Koszęcin

Koszęcin parish took out a loan to build this church and could not pay it back for well over a decade. Hyperinflation finally came to the rescue: in 1923 the rest of the debt was settled for the equivalent of eight loaves of bread. The brick church of 1907–1908, a few hundred metres from the Hohenlohe palace, has kept its original form to this day.

History: a church of the prince and the parishioners

The agreement to build was signed in 1906, next to the 1899 presbytery. The design and cost estimate were drawn up by architect Ludwig Schneider of Opole. The diocese in Wrocław cut the planned cost from 115,000 to 100,000 marks. The owner of Koszęcin, Prince Hohenlohe, gave 60,000 marks, all the timber and 400,000 bricks; the parish added 33,000 marks from a loan.

In the winter of 1907 materials were brought in by sledge, and building started in spring – all the work was done by hand. The church was blessed on 15 October 1908 and consecrated by the Bishop of Wrocław on 15 June 1916, with relics of St Gereon and his companion placed in the altar. The main altar and St Joseph's altar were funded by Prince Karl zu Hohenlohe-Ingelfingen. In 1998 the church and presbytery were recognised as historic monuments.

What to see

• The façade – red brick with pale rendered panels in the gable, a triple arcaded entrance and a tower topped with an onion cupola.
• The organ – 18 stops, built shortly before the end of the First World War by master Karl Spiegel; carved figures and the words "Gloria in excelsis Deo" adorn the case.
• The altars – the main altar and St Joseph's altar from the prince's foundation, and a later Lady altar.
• The building – no architectural alterations have been made since construction; only the roof and tower covering has changed, now copper.

Tripto tip

The church is on ul. Księdza Gąski, a few minutes' walk from Koszęcin Palace, home of the "Śląsk" Song and Dance Ensemble. Allow 15–20 minutes outside; the interior is easiest to see during services. In Koszęcin also visit the wooden Holy Trinity Church of 1724 in the south of the village.