Churches & monasteries

St Dorothy Church in Licheń Stary

St Dorothy’s Church in Licheń Stary is a Neo-Gothic church in the oldest part of the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Licheń. From 1858 to 2006 it was the sanctuary’s main church and kept the miraculous image of Our Lady of Licheń for almost 150 years. Today it offers a quieter historic stop within the extensive pilgrimage complex.

The former home of the Licheń image

The church was founded by the Kwilecki family in the mid-19th century. Its story is linked with the transfer of the image on 29 September 1852 to a provisional church and later to the new building. The image remained here until 2006, when it was moved to the basilica. The parish dates back to 1415, when Bishop Andrzej Łaskarz founded a church and chose St Dorothy as its patroness.

An interior renewed after restoration

The restoration launched in 2007 preserved the Neo-Gothic exterior but gave the interior Baroque references. Look for the wooden entrance doors, marble floor, new stained glass showing the history of the image and restored Stations of the Cross. Side chapels contain relics of St Stanislaus Papczyński and a copy of the miraculous image with votive offerings.

Practical information

The church is on Klasztorna Street, in the centre of the sanctuary run by the Marian Fathers. Combine it with the basilica, Golgotha, the Chapel of the Holy Cross and the Grąblin Forest about 2 km away. Before travelling, check current Mass times, events and visitor rules on the official sanctuary website.