Church of St Catherine in Goleniów

The Church of St Catherine in Goleniów is a former parish church, built in the 15th century in the Gothic style on the foundations of a Romanesque predecessor. It is regarded as the most impressive church and monument of the town, and today it is looked after by the Society of Christ priests (Chrystusowcy).

Architecture

The three main parts of the church, that is, the chancel, the nave and the tower, were made of brick in Wendish bond. The three-aisle hall nave rests on four plain octagonal pillars. Adjoining the nave are an elongated chancel with a three-sided end, a tower square in plan and two chapels. Construction took place in two phases: at the beginning of the 15th century the hall, the chancel, the tower and the sacristy were built, and in the second half of the century porches and chapels were added.

Fires and Gothic revival

The first mentions of the church date from the 13th century, and Goleniów was chartered in 1268. In 1534 the church became Protestant. The tower burned down in 1529 during a fire in the town, and further fires in 1589-1686 destroyed the medieval furnishings and documents. Of the Gothic only the pointed-arch portal in the west façade of the tower survived. In 1865-1867 the church was restored in the Gothic Revival style, and in 1892 the tower received four corner turrets and triangular gables.

Rebuilding after the war

In 1945 the church was partly demolished and burned. Pastoral care was taken over by the Society of Christ, which runs the parish to this day. The chancel was blessed in 1960, and the church was consecrated on 26 November 1961, although finishing work continued until 1967. The parish states that the interior decoration recreates the 19th-century plans for the Gothic Revival.

Interior

The altar in the chancel has the form of a triptych: in the middle the Blessed Virgin Mary with the Child, at the sides St Catherine of Alexandria and St Barbara. The stained glass in four windows depicts, among others, St Maximilian Kolbe, Christ the King and John Paul II. The chapels are dedicated to the dead, August Hlond, the Holy Family and Our Lady of Perpetual Help. By the main entrance stands a bell taken down from the tower, and by the side aisle there are relics of St Faustina Kowalska.

Practical information

• Address: Mieszka I Square, Goleniów.
• Mass times are given on the parish website. They are held several times on weekdays and on Sundays, but the schedule changes during the year.

Nearby:

• Mint Tower - approx. 100 m
• Gunpowder Tower - approx. 100 m

Nearby:

• the Wolin Gate - approx. 200 m
• the granary - approx. 200 m