St Paul’s Church, also known as Pauluskirche, is one of the now defunct symbols of pre-war Breslau, whose history is part of the city’s turbulent history. Erected in 1913 on today’s Szczepin, it was not only one of the most important religious buildings of its era, but also a place of deep socio-political significance. Although it ceased to exist in the 1960s, its legacy deserves to be remembered.
The origins of St Paul’s Church and the historical context
St Paul’s Church was designed by German architect Arthur Kickton in a neo-Renaissance style. Its location in the workers’ suburb of Mikolajski, today’s Szczepin, was of particular importance – it was an area of dynamic industrial and urban development at the beginning of the 20th century. The ceremonial opening of the church took place on 17 March 1913. The date was not accidental – the celebrations referred to the 100th anniversary of the proclamation of the King of Prussia, Friedrich Wilhelm III, “To my people” (An Mein Volk), which was a call to arms against Napoleon’s troops. In the same anniversary year, the Centennial Hall was also completed.
The temple in 1916. Source: Zentralblatt der Bauverwaltung
St Paul’s Church – architecture
St Paul’s Church was one of the largest religious buildings in Wrocław. It was characterised by a monumental three-nave structure with 1400 seats. The most recognisable feature of the church were the two 65-metre-high towers, giving the building a majestic appearance. There was an extensive parish centre attached to the church, including a parish house, assembly hall and garden, making it an important centre of social and religious life.
World War II in Breslau – fate of the church
The 1930s and 1940s were a difficult period in the history of the church. During the Nazi regime, the church became a place of resistance against National Socialist policies. Pastor Kurt Bornitz, an active member of the Confessing Church, courageously opposed the authorities. His heroism paid with his life – he was shot by order of the Gestapo in January 1945. During the siege of Festung Breslau during World War II, the church was converted into a watchtower and many parish buildings were destroyed on the orders of Gauleiter Hanke. The church itself was severely damaged by bombing and street fighting.
Post-war history of Wrocław
After the end of the war, the ruins of the church were assessed as having no historic value. In the 1960s, it was decided to demolish them, reflecting the post-war approach to architecture in Wrocław – the priority was to rebuild the urban infrastructure at the expense of other buildings. The “Dolmed” Medical Diagnostic Centre was built on the site of the former church in the 1970s.
The church buildings in the 1920s and the same site today. Source: “Der Evangelische Kirchbau Schlesiens von der Reformation bis zur Gegenwart”, Wiesenhütter A. – Evangelischer Presseverband für Schlesien, Breslau 1926 and Google Maps
Dolmed – the new symbol of Szczepin
The building of the Dolnośląskie Medical Centre “Dolmed” was designed by Anna and Jerzy Tarnawski. The building was erected between 1974 and 1977 in the modernist style. It is characterised by the original form of an inverted pyramid raised above the ground. Next to the building is a fountain decorated with the sculpture “Swans” by Jerzy Boroń, which is one of the artistic accents of this part of the city. Although St. Paul’s Church no longer exists, its history remains an important testimony to Wrocław’s past. It recalls the fate of a city whose identity was shaped by changing borders, wars and political decisions.
Source: wroclaw.pl, polska-org.pl
Read also: Architecture in Poland | Interesting facts | History | Sacral architecture | Wrocław
Szczepin in 1925 and 2024. Source: Deutsche Fotothek www.deutschefotothek.de and Google Earth