Europe
Poland
Opole (German Opplen)
church of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Saint Adalbert

For the early history of the Dominicans in Poland, click here.

A brief description.

The oldest church of Opole is the church of the Blessed Virgin Mary of the Seven Dolour's and Saint Adalbert (Saint Wojciech) called the Church on the Hill. Saint Adalbert was to have visited this area in 984 or 995 on the way to the court of Bolesław I the Brave. He preached the Gospel and baptized the inhabitants of Opole, who built the first wooden church in Opole at the end of the 9th century, dedicated to Our Blessed Lady and Saint Adalbert. This church was the parish church of Opole from 1254 till 1304.
In 1293 the Dominicans came to Opole on request of Bolko I and built a priory to served this church since 1304. The church was rebuilt in 1339. About 1430 the chapel of Our Lady of Częstochowa was added to the church and linked to the priory.
During de Reformation the Dominicans leaved Opole from 1530 till 1604. The priory and churches experienced a series of calamities: they were burnt down in a large fire of the town (1613), and plundered by the passing troops taking part in the Thirty Years' War.
In 1739 both buildings were reconstructed on the Baroque pattern. The Baroque main altar embraces the painting of the glory of Saint Adalbert and Saint Catherine, supported by the sculptured angels in the company of the four Fathers of the Church. It is also worth paying attention to the interesting Gothic triptych with the figure of Madonna and the Child surrounded by four virgins - Saints Barbara, Catherine, Agnes and Dorothy. In the church is the allegorical painting of the Immaculate Conception of the Most Holy Virgin Mary from the Stanisławów collegiate church. In the crypt is buried bishop Jan Kropidło, Duke of Opole. He was bishop of Poznan, 1332-1334. 

The Gothic church with baroque interior and neo-Romanesque façade 
in Opole, named Church of The Mother of God In Pain And of 
Saint Wojciech. 

The Dominicans left the complex in 1810, and the buildings were used as school, and by Napoleon as barracks and hospital.
The church is now branch church of the parish of the Holy Cross since 1820 and enlarged from 1931 till 1938.

Source: www.churches in Opole; Wikipedia
           :  Gabriel (BRD), 1970, Nr 7, p.215.

Philately

The former Dominican church is the third
church from the left, dedicated to the
Blessed Virgin Mary of the Seven Dolour's and Saint Adalbert.

Poland 1970, Mi 2001, Sc 1732.
 

Return to   REGISTER B                 Return to   HOMEPAGE