Church of the Holy Apostles Philip and James in Żory

The Church of the Holy Apostles Philip and James in Żory is a Roman Catholic parish church and the oldest church in the city, located in the city center, right next to the market square. Built of brick in the Wendish bond style and stone, it is 26.05 meters long, 13.8 meters wide, and 12.5 meters high. The church features three naves of equal height with ribbed cross vaulting. A distinctive architectural element is its four-story tower, standing 54 meters tall and crowned with a Baroque spire. Adjacent to the church is the Chapel of Our Lady of Mercy from 1690, which now serves as a place for the adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. The church has undergone numerous changes and reconstructions, including fires in the 16th and 17th centuries that destroyed its interior, as well as damage during World War II, when 80% of Żory was destroyed. Reconstruction took place between 1946 and 1948, and the church was reconsecrated in 1962. The interior is notable for its three altars by Professor Zbigniew Wzorek and a magnificent painting of Our Lady of Mercy from 1690. Valuable historical artifacts, such as crosses and chalices dating back to the 15th and 17th centuries, are part of the church’s inventory. After World War II, the bells were destroyed by the Nazis, and new ones were cast in 1948 with the support of the parishioners. The church, with its bells dedicated to the Holy Apostles Philip and James, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and St. Joseph, holds great sentimental value for the local community.