Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Kończyce Małe

The Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Kończyce Małe, a Roman Catholic parish church, was built in 1713, replacing an earlier wooden structure. Located in the Cieszyn County of the Silesian Voivodeship, it has served as the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Kończyce since November 16, 1999, and belongs to the Strumień Deanery of the Diocese of Bielsko-Żywiec. Architecturally, it is a single-nave church, enhanced by a masonry tower that replaced the original wooden one in 1818. The interior of the church is adorned with a Renaissance epitaph of the knight Zygmunt Wyszkota from 1568, highlighting its historical significance. The miraculous image of Our Lady of Kończyce, also known as the Madonna with a Dandelion, dates back to the 16th century and is held in special veneration. Until the 19th century, it was a destination for numerous pilgrimages from across Cieszyn Silesia and Prussia. The church suffered damage during military operations in 1945, but the image remained untouched, adding to its cultural and symbolic value. It underwent cleaning and restoration in 1962 and 2007, underscoring the commitment to preserving cultural heritage. In front of the church stands a statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and crosses in the cemetery serve as additional cultural and historical elements associated with the site. Thus, the church in Kończyce Małe is a significant landmark on the religious map of the region and a testament to local history and traditions.