Assumption of Mary Wooden Church in Miasteczko Śląskie

On Dworcowa Street in Miasteczko Śląskie stands the wooden church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary from 1666 — a temple older than the town centre as we know it. It was built when residents still attended services in Żyglin, more than a hundred years after the settlement was founded.

A churchyard around and an entrance through the bell tower

Until 1815 a cemetery operated around the church, and the only entrance led through the bell tower — a defensive, and at the same time orderly, solution typical of Silesian wooden churches. Today a newer masonry parish church stands next door, while the wooden church has held monument status since 1928.

The priest who bought a Gothic altar

An interesting chapter of the history was written by Fr. Teodor Christoph, the church’s guardian from July 1871. He founded the Apostleship of Prayer Brotherhood and the Brotherhood of Our Lady of Seven Sorrows, built the presbytery and bought a Gothic altar — a trace of patronage rare in a small town. In the 20th century the church was twice restored, recovering its original character.

In practice

The church lies in Tarnowskie Góry county, about 10 minutes’ drive from Tarnowskie Góry. Entry is usually possible during the opening hours given by the parish (among others Tuesday and Thursday mornings, afternoons on other days) — confirm the schedule by phone. Combine the visit with Lake Nakło-Chechło (3 km), the park at Świerklaniec (7 km) and the UNESCO monuments of Tarnowskie Góry (Silver Mine, Black Trout Adit).