Polski
Cesky
The history of St. Anthony's Church in Siemianowice Śląskie [Siemianowitz] is closely tied to the Laura Steelworks [Huta Laura]. This plant was established on the initiative of Count Hugo Henckel von Donnersmarck, and its construction began in 1836. With the development of the steelworks, workers' settlements were built from 1838. Initially, the faithful belonged to parishes in Czeladź and Michałkowice, and from 1868 to the Holy Cross parish in Siemianowice. With the dynamic development of the Laura Steelworks settlement, the creation of a new parish was considered. During the visitation of Cardinal Georg Kopp in 1914, it was decided to divide the Holy Cross parish and build a new church. The director of the steelworks declared the donation of a plot for the temple. However, these plans were interrupted by the outbreak of World War I. Nevertheless, in 1915, a curacy dedicated to St. Anthony of Padua was erected. A lack of funds after the war made building a new temple impossible, so it was decided to adapt the existing market hall building, completed in 1914 but never used. In subsequent years, the building was successively adapted for sacred purposes. In 1923, the construction of the sacristy and catechetical hall began, and from 1928 expansion commenced – a presbytery was created, the side walls were raised by four meters, and two towers were added at the main entrance. The works were completed in 1931.
