Saint Lawrence church in Bytom

Saint Lawrence Church is a wooden church in Bytom distinguished by its rectangular floor plan. The structure was built from larch wood and topped with a two-sided roof, while the interior held Renaissance-era painted decorations and multiple altars with religious images.

The building was originally constructed in 1530 in Mikulczyce and underwent rebuilding in 1580 under the sponsorship of Daniel Ziemęcki Sr. It was relocated to Bytom in 1902, where it stood until a fire in 1982 caused major damage.

The church served as a gathering place for the local community and reflected through its decoration the religious beliefs that shaped daily life. The ornate details that remain show how important artistic craftsmanship was in spaces of worship.

Since the fire caused severe damage, only portions of the structure remain intact today. Visitors should understand that what exists now shows the building's history rather than its original complete appearance.

After the fire, the remaining wooden materials were not discarded but transported to the Vistula Ethnographic Park in Wygielzow. There they were reused for maintaining other historic wooden structures, giving them a second purpose in preservation work.

Location: Bytom

Inception: 16 century

Made from material: wood

GPS coordinates: 50.35110,18.90170

Latest update: December 14, 2025 18:04