St. Lawrence Parish in Strzelce Opolskie

The Parish of Saint Lawrence in Strzelce Opolskie, established in the 13th century, is a Roman Catholic parish within the Strzelce Opolskie deanery, currently led by Father Rudolf Nieszwiec. The history of the parish is closely tied to the Church of Saint Lawrence, which was built before 1290. The original temple was made of wood and, between 1575 and 1629, it fell into the hands of Protestants. Over time, the church suffered numerous damages, including during the Thirty Years' War and due to fires. In the 20th century, a decision was made to construct a new, brick church in the Neo-Baroque style, which was realized between 1904 and 1907 with the help of architect Jerzy Gűldenpfennig. The church, consecrated by Cardinal J. Kopp, was designed as a three-nave basilica. Valuable elements from the previous building were transferred to the interior, including the Baroque main altar from 1712, a work by the Wrocław sculptor Jan König. The church also features beautiful side altars, a pulpit with a lantern-shaped canopy, and an organ made by the Schlag and Sons company. The parish is also culturally active, organizing various parish groups such as the Children of Mary, a schola, Caritas, and prayer groups. On the parish grounds, there are other religious buildings, including the Church of the Blessed Sacrament and the cemetery Church of Saint Barbara. A fascinating fact is that the original church was located within the city walls, while the new temple, built on the plan of a Latin cross, is characterized by an impressive tower reaching a height of 62 meters. The Parish of Saint Lawrence has a rich history of connection with the local community, and its artistic furnishings harmonize with the rest of the architecture. Holy Masses are held regularly, and the parish community actively engages in the spiritual and social life of the region.