The Sanctuary of Divine Providence in Jastrzębie-Zdrój

The Sanctuary of Divine Providence in Jastrzębie-Zdrój, also known as the Church of St. Catherine of Alexandria, is a historic temple in the Baroque-Classicist style, built after the fire of the wooden church in 1811. The new structure, funded by the Strachwitz family, was completed in 1823, and its solemn consecration took place on October 6, 1825. The church has impressive dimensions—50 meters in length and 26 meters in width—and its furnishings include valuable monuments, such as a painting of the Eye of Providence from 1773, which survived the fire, as well as an organ and paintings of the Stations of the Cross. In the 19th century, the church underwent various changes, including the construction of new Stations of the Cross and the addition of statues and bells. During World War II, the temple suffered damage from bombings, but restoration work was quickly undertaken, including the purchase of new bells and liturgical equipment. In the 1970s, a major renovation was carried out, restoring the church to its former glory by raising the presbytery and replacing the windows. An interesting fact is that the church was granted the title of Sanctuary by the Metropolitan of Katowice in 2012, making it the 11th sanctuary in the Archdiocese of Katowice. The church is not only a place of religious worship but also an important element of the local culture and history of Jastrzębie-Zdrój. It features beautiful stained-glass windows, a pulpit crowned with a sculpture of an angel holding the tablets of the Ten Commandments, and a masonry music choir. Today, the Sanctuary of Divine Providence serves parishioners as a place of prayer and cultural events, nurturing the traditions of the local community.