St. Joseph the Worker Parish in Katowice

The Parish of St. Joseph the Worker in Katowice-Józefowiec, located at 8 Professor J. Mikusiński Street, was established on August 1, 1925, although its origins date back to 1826, when the settlement of Józefowiec was founded by Father Józef Beder. In 1920, a temporary wooden church was built, serving as the first place of worship for the local community. Construction of the current church, designed by architect Jan Kapołka, began in 1935, and it was consecrated on November 12, 1939. As of 2015, the parish had approximately 12,000 faithful and manages a cemetery established in 1923. Pastoral activities include various parish groups such as Oaza (a Catholic renewal movement), altar servers, and the "Saint Cecilia" choir. The parish feast day is celebrated on the Sunday following May 1. Throughout its history, the parish has been led by notable pastors, including Father Paweł Michatz, who guided the community during the difficult times of World War II, and Father Bogusław Ochwał, under whose leadership numerous modernizations were introduced. The parish boundaries have changed over time, and today it encompasses several streets in Katowice. Interestingly, during boundary adjustments, parishioners were granted the right to choose where they received sacraments. The parish is an integral part of the Katowice-Załęże deanery in the Archdiocese of Katowice. Its history, church architecture, and active community involvement contribute significantly to the cultural heritage of the region.