St. Stephen's and Our Lady of Bogucice Basilica in Katowice

The Basilica of St. Stephen and Our Lady of Bogucice in Katowice is a Roman Catholic parish church dating back to the second half of the 19th century. It belongs to the Parish of St. Stephen and is listed in the register of immovable monuments of the Silesian Voivodeship. The temple was designed by architect Paul Jackisch, and its construction, initiated by Father Ludwik Skowronek, was completed in 1894. The church was consecrated by the Bishop of Wrocław, Cardinal Georg Kopp. In 1994, the centenary of the building was celebrated, and in 2014, relics of St. John Paul II were introduced into the church. In 2015, the church was granted the title of a minor basilica, becoming the second such temple in Katowice. Architecturally, the basilica represents the Neo-Gothic style and is a three-nave structure built of brick, featuring a characteristic soaring tower and colorful stained-glass windows in the transept. Over the years, various renovation works have been carried out, including interior painting and the restoration of altars. In recent years, the church has been enriched with frescoes depicting scenes from the life of Jesus, as well as images of St. Faustina Kowalska and St. John Paul II. Particularly important is the miraculous image of Our Lady of Bogucice, painted in the second half of the 15th century, which has undergone several repaintings. The solemn coronation of the image with papal crowns took place in 2000, with the crowns blessed by John Paul II. The basilica is a significant religious and cultural landmark for the local community, serving as a venue for numerous ceremonies and historical events.