KATEDRA LEGNICKA

Pope John Paul II issued the Bull „Totus Tuus Poloniae Populus” on the 25 March 1992, founding thus the Diocese of Legnica separated from the territory of the Archdiocese of Wrocław. The former parish church of SS Peter and Paul's was raised to the rank of the Cathedral church of the new Diocese. St. Peter and St. Paul as well St. Joseph the Guardian of the Saviour became its patrons.

The first bishop of the new diocese, nominated by the Pope, became the former suffragan Bishop of Wrocław diocese Tadeusz Rybak. His suffragan became Rev. Bishop dr. Adam Dyczkowski, also from Wrocław.

SS Peter and Paul's Church was first mentioned in 1192, as one of the first three churches in Legnica. In the 1208 document of Henry the Bearded St. Peter's Church and a windmill were mentioned as supporting the convent in Trzebnica. St. Peter's Church constituted the centre of religious and parish life. It was called the main church of the town. At the beginning this church was only a small wooden shrine situated in the market place and functioned as the urban parish church. In 1225 St. Peter's Church was rebuilt in stone. This has been confirmed by the recent archeological research conducted by professors Rozpędowski and Lasota. This church building was destroyed during the Mongol invasion in 1241. But soon the choir was reconstructed and the church service resumed and continued until the first half of the 13th century.

In 1333 master Wiland undertook the task of reconstructing it on a pattern similar to that of St. Elisabeth's Church in Wrocław. In his project, Wiland wanted to extend and rebuild the shrine to give it the rank of basilica. In his contract with the Town Council, for the sum of 150 monetary units, master Wiland was to construct the church's walls, towers, portals, pillars and the vault. Master Wiland didn't live to see the final results of the erection of the church he had designed. In 1338 a fire broke out and demolished the church. After the fire the Town Council allotted large sums of money for further extension and rebuilding of St. Peter's Church.

Bishop Wacław from Pogorzela set the date for the consecration of the church on 20 September, 1342. But actually, it was Bishop Nankier who came to Wrocław from the bishopric of royal Kraków, who consecrated the church at the beginning of 1341. At the same time the church acquirved another patron - St. Paul. The construction started in 1333 continued quite quickly. Shorthy afterwards Wiland died.

Wiland era of the construction of St. Peter's church was over. It was very difficult to find a new building master. The town mayor Heinrich Ysinberg himself became the organizer of further construction works.

The three pillar supported naves in the interior of the church are basilicalike in character. The main nave is much higher than the aisles. It has a lamella vault, while the aisles have the cross vault. The presbytery has a ribbed vault. The side chapels are of a different, star vaulting. The choir was enlarged by the so called gloriette and western pillars. The older buttresses remained from the times before the fire of the town. The round window between the church's towers, the so called rosette, is the oldest part of the church.

Further construction in the years 1370-1378 was conducted by master Conrad from Kraków. His stay in Legnica is confirmed by a 1390 record. The portals in the main entrance to the church come from that period, bipartite, in the western and northern facade. The church of SS Peter and Paul was the centre of the religious and parish life of those times. It used to be called the main church and had the function of a parish church. The portal facing the market place depicts EPIPHANY: the central part of the composition depicts Madonna with the Child and St. Joseph. On the left side: the Three Kings bowing before Christ and bringing him gifts. Next to them figures of two soldiers guarding three horses. Near the horses „a wild man ” creeps up. Over the heads of the figures, on a cloud, hovers an Angel. At the very top the Holy Ghost rises as a dove. The Three Kings from the East are the patrons of travellers, especially those on their last journey.

The portal situated near the market place and on the grounds of the cemetery adjacent to the church directly points to the last path in earthly life. The font, in a shape of a cup, comes from the first half of the 13th century, preserved to the present time, is the oldest and most valuable sacral work of art in the church. The upper part is decorated with 12 relieves depicting Christ's life: The Annunciation, The Birth of Jesus Christ, The Offering in the Temple, The Homage of the Three Kings (two relieves), The Finding of Jesus Christ in the Temple, Christ's Baptism in the River Jordan, The Flagellation, Carrying of the Cross on the Golgota, The Crucifixion, Christ's Resurrection, The Ascension of Jesus Christ. It was cast in silvery bronze in the workshops of the Cistercian Monastery in Lubiąż. Its large diameter and depth indicate that children were plunged in it while being baptized. This custom was kept alive until the 16th century. It is a unique piece of bronze art in Europe.

The stone sculpture Ecce Homo portraying Christ and Pilate, which is situated in the side chapel facing the market place is a first class Mediaeval work of art.

The sculpture of the farewell scene of St. Peter and St. Paul before their martyrdom, accompanied by five figures with the attributes of the Apostles, made in one piece of sandstone, was then introduced into the church. All these are master-pieces of Gothic art.

The stone structure of the church was completed in 1378. It was during that time that the church was given the second patron - St. Paul. The figures of both Apostles placed in the northern portal and the farewell scene indicate that the church was dedicated to St. Peter and St. Paul. The pillars of the church, the Apostles, have been the patrons of this church ever since.

In the years 1378-1390 master Klaus Parlirer accomplished the finishing touches and Vielkunst, a masonry master, made the Gothic framing for the windows.

An altar dedicated to St. Nicholas was also built in the church. People worshipped it and it was the destination of numerous pilgrimages. At the beginning of the 15th century, in the main nave of the church, there existed an altar with Christ kneeling during his prayer on the Mount of Olives with St. Hedwig of Silesia behind him. This altar was also frequently visited by pilgrims.

A large cross with the lifesize body of Christ crafted in 1493 was placed hanging on the northern pillar of the church. It attracted many pilgrims and inhabitants of Legnica. Those praying to Christ were bestowed with many graces.

In the 15th century 9 chapels were added to the buttresses of the aisles. Since that time the church has had five naves. The founders were rich burghers, different guilds and the town's patriciate.

One of the reasons for founding the chapels of SS Peter and Paul's Church was the right to bury people within the church's walls. Many sepulchral stones and epitaphs have been preserved from that time. They are located in the pillars, chapels and on the outer walls. Among others there are: von der Heide's from 1420, Nicholas Popplau's, Alexander's, Jerome's and John's from the years 1428-1457. There is a tombstone of Louis II (1449) in the first chapel near the vestry. This sepulchral sculpture comes from the years 1425-1436.

In the side chapel near the choir there is a 17th century epitaph of the Sighofer family. It was made like an altar. Christ on the cross occupies the central part of it. Under the cross the members of the Sighofer family are kneeling in their pensive prayer.

Epitaphs and tombstones found in the church and on its walls show the piety of the people. Their rich symbolism and eschatological content can make everyone reflect. The epitaph of the Langner family from the first half of the 17th century is situated in the same chapel as the Ecce Homo sculpture, one of the most valuable pieces of stone sculpture. The Ascension of the Lord is the central part of the epitaph. The figures of saints are placed in the side wings. In the lower part of the epitaph there are effigies of some of the members of the founders' families. Hieronimus Langner was elected a town councilor on 17 March 1561. He died as an alderman on 18 October 1580. Father of five daughters and three sons, he was a very wealthy man and belonged to the town patriciate. The monument was founded by his wife Hedwig, died 1591. The place where the epitaph was erected was called the Chapel of Baptistery.

At the beginning of the 16th century SS Peter and Paul's, Church, like many other temples, was taken over by the followers of Martin Luther. A generally accepted rule in those days was: „Cuius regio, eius religio”. In 1524 during the reign of Frederick II the Protestants took over SS Peter and Paul's Church. The ruler endowed the main town church with an important privilege - the church was exempted from paying taxes. The money that was saved in this way was spent on maintaining the monumental church.

A library was founded in the neighbourhood of the SS Peter's church. It was organized by the parish priest Bartholomew Roesdorf, who offered for that purpose 200 talars of his own. Moreover, Prince Frederick II donated valuable books for the collection. It became one of the most famous libraries in Lower Silesia. It was already catalogued in 1658 by Teofilus Patisens. Until 1845 it counted 8000 books including numerous parchment manuscripts and 15th century incunabula.

Since 1552 SS Peter and Paul's parish conducted extensive works of charity. Every week parishioners were obliged to bring offerings for the poor in need. The custom of bringing bread originated then. The first to receive charity were numerous families which used to arrive with two witnesses. This work of charity aroused respect among the burghers.

According to minister Ziegler's accounts of The Thirty Year War the church served as the hospital where the wounded were transported to.

In 1648 the church was ravaged by fire. It took many years to repair the damages. During the Renaissance the temple was enriched with new stone and woodwork. The wooden stall of the town councilors was executed in 1568. In the upper part of the canopy supported on richly ornamented columns are the temple Patrons and the coat of arms of the town. This bench placed in presbytery was to honour the councilors who contributed greatly to the welfare of the town and the temple.

The fire of 11 November 1648 destroyed the tower and the clock of 1592. Also destroyed were the bells. The arson was committed by the recruit Gaspar, apparently talked into it by the Swedish captain of horse, Horn. The arsonist was tried and burned on the stake on 8 October 1649.

The tower was rebuilt in 1649-1651 with the help of funds collected in Brzeg, Nysa, Lubań, Zittau and Zgorzelec. In 1654 the tower obtained a copper roof. The new clock was made in 1652 by master Eugert of Wrocław. The reconstruction of 1665 was funded from the fines levied on the illegal import of foreign beer and those paid for the transgression against the 6th Commandment: „Do not commit adultery”.

The white sandstone pulpit was made in the years 1586-88. The founder was the armourer Alexander who assigned 150 talars. The artist was an eminent Legnica sculptor Kasper Berger.

The support is formed by four figures: Moses with the commandments, David, Joshua and Juda Maccabeus. On the balustrade of the staircase and in the upper part of the pulpit there are sculptures presenting scenes from the life and work of Christ: the homage of the Shepherds, the Three Kings, the Last Supper, the prayer on the Olive Mountain. On the parapet of the bowl: the Crowning with Thorns, the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ, the Resurrection and the Meeting with the Disciples on the road to Emaus. The scene of Crucifixion is crowned with the following inscription: „The work was executed in 1588, during the reign of Frederick IV the Silesian Prince of Legnica and Brzeg”.

In the back of the pulpit a commemorative relief was erected. It shows a group scene of Christ's sermon. The audience includes Alexander Eckstein, his two wives, two brothers, children and the sculptor Kasper Berger with compasses and ruler in his hand. The pulpit is roofed with wooden canopy with the scene of Christ's Ascension surrounded by angels holding the tools of martyrdom. The upper part shows the figure of Christ Resurrected. The coats-of arms from 1649-1663, decorating the pulpit, belonged to the princely couple: Ludwig IV and Ann Sofia of Meklemburg. They date the completion of this most beautiful Lower Silesian pulpit.

The princely quarters once faced the pulpit. On the outer side they were decorated with the scenes of the battle with the Mongols.

Baroque era gave the temple a monumental work - the main altar. 1743 was the beginning of the thorough renovation of the interior. Four years later the town council formed a committee for the building of the altar. 1800 talars were collected for that purpose. The craftsmen of Legnica, associated in the craft guilds volunteered to help built the altar. Among the artists, creators of the altar were: Legnica sculptor Krystian Grünewald who executed its sculptures and a painter from Wrocław Jan Kynast who produced the painting of Christ Resurrected. The altar was consecrated in November 1756 by priest Jonathan Krause. His successor Engelbert Albinus finished the construction in 1767. The polychrome and gilding cost 1200 talars and was the work of the local painter Jan David.

The altar was made from wood and stucco. It is twelve meters high. The central picture of Christ Resurrected is introduced into the composition by means of columns and pilasters. In the lower part of the altar there are outstanding figures of St. Peter and St. Paul. In the background there are figures of the four Evangelists. The finial of the altar is a relief composition: the dove - the symbol of the Holy Ghost. Above it, in the radiating glory and surrounded by angels is the figure of God Almighty with his right hand outstretched towards the Son of God in a gesture of expectation and welcome. Above the Evangelists figures, on the background of the stained-glass windows, two sculptures were placed: an eagle (on the left) and a lion with keys (on the right).

In 1811, during the renovation works many valuable relieves and paintings were covered with plaster. In the 19th century the church underwent a thorough reconstruction. Professors of the Royal Academy of Architecture twice rejected the first two project of reconstruction submitted. The third one by Prof. Otzen was accepted. In his design Otzen referred to the historical 1333 project of master Wiland. His intentions were to give the church a grandiose basilica style. Works on the reconstruction started in 1892 and lasted two years. At that time the outer parts of the walls were covered with machine - made bricks, the western gable was reconstructed, portals, window stone work and rosette were renovated. Changes were introduced in the architecture of the side chapels, new balconies for the public were built, stained-glass was replaced, electricity was introduced and the new southern tower was built, changing thus the total appearance.

In one of the church towers there was a flat for the fireman who guarded the town night and day. In case of fire or other disasters he used to ring the alarm bells and hoisted the flag which pointed to the direction of danger. This socially important and respected service had another aim, too. Every day, except Fridays and days of the Holy Week, the fireman blew the trumpet marking the passage of time.

The carillons from the church tower were a great attraction for the citizens of the town and visitors. They played religious tunes at certain hours. Legnica's carillons were an object of admiration in Silesia. During the Second World War they were disassembled and taken away.

The first organs installed in the church were first mentioned in 1438. C16 records mention a pair of such instruments as well as a fulltime employed organist. The bigger of the two organs was used until 1725. The period 1722-1725 was time of the construction of new, big organs performed by Wrocław based organ-master Ignatius Mentzel. The Legnica organs counted then 31 voices divided into two manuals and a pedal keyboard. It was a typical for Baroque instrument of differentiated sounds, used to perform polyphonic tunes.

The preserved today front of the organs has rich late Baroque woodwork and sculpture decoration covering all the length of the choir. During the Neo-Gothic reconstruction the figures mounting the pipe turrets were removed.

The organs were rebuilt a few times during the C19 which gradually changed their sound as well as the performance mechanism. In tune with the European trends they were transformed into a homophonic instrument fitting the texture and character of then composed music. Gradually enlarged was also the number of voices.

In 1894, organ makers „Schlag and Sons” from Świdnica reconstructed the organs, practically creating a new instrument. Only few of the old voices were preserved. The number of pipes was increased to fifty nine. A pneumatic mechanism was installed as well as other devices facilitating playing the instrument. In this shape the organs have practically survived until today. Small chances were introduced by Gustav Heinze (1928), and the last works conducted by Stanisław Broszko Company renovated and recovered their technical performance. The cathedral organs have thus returned to the group of valuable Lower Silesian performance instruments.

The Cathedral is a place where seminars and concerts of religious music are organised. The performances given by European world class musicians can be attended by all members of our society. Among many performers one should mention Prof. Marian Sawa whose composition dedicated to the Cathedral - HYMNUS in honorem Sancti Petri et Pauli - was first performed here in 1995. The music was presented to the parish priest Rev. Władysław Bochnak. The composition brought recognition to the composer and entered the repertoirs of many known performers.

During the 19th century SS Peter and Paul's Church was from the very beginning the central church of the town. In 1830 a new custom was introduced a parade of the town councilors and teachers from the Town Hall to the church where service was held on behalf of the congregation. The service was usually performed each year on 25 June. From the same year on, on 26 June, a special service was organized for the children and youth of Legnica schools. Their participation in common prayer created a special atmosphere of respect, goodwill and human dignity.

From 1947 SS Peter and Paul's Church becomes again a Catholic church. The first parish priest of the post-war history was Prelate Tadeusz Łączyński. The years of his ministry belong to a very difficult period of struggle against church and religion in Poland. In spite of persecution and other obstacles the prelate cared with ardour for the good of the parishioners and the temple. In the years 1960-63 he replaced completely the plasters inside the church, updated the electrical system and introduced loudspeakers. He also installed protection against the damp, central heating, arranged classrooms for religious education in the side chapels, and renovated the stained-glass windows. The lower parts of the roof were given a new copper covering. For the millennium anniversary celebrations he ordered a thorough painting of the church. In 1971 he installed a new, postconciliar marble altar.

In 1988 Rev. Władysław Bochnak, Phi. D. became the second parish priest. In the years 1988-1994 thanks to the dedication of Rev. Bochnak, the parishioners and numerous anonymous donators many renovation works were undertaken. Most of these had in mind the future Cathedral Church of Legnica and were coordinated with Cardinal Henryk Gulbinowicz - the Metropolitan of Wrocław.

The first to be renovated was the roof of the church: numerous leaks were damaging the walls of the temple. Rebuilt and renovated were two steeples on the Eastern side which threatened with collapsing. A new granite tiling was laid in the church, Strzegom granite in the main building and Swedish coloured granite in the presbytery. New wooden floors were laid under the benches. The presbytery was rebuilt preceding the laying of the new tiling. Rubble was removed from the aisle on the side of the vestry and a crypt for the Bishops of Legnica was erected. New electric and loud speaker system were installed, the cables running under the floor of the presbytery and the nave. The 16th century stalls were renovated and transferred from the main altar into the St. Hedwig's aisle. The old Protestant orientation of the benches was changed into the direction of the main altar. New stained-glass windows in the vestry and choir were installed. New lead was fixed in the stained-glass windows in the Chapel of God's Mercy. Eleven new, fitting the old style, colourless stained-glass windows were installed in the church tower.

New finely wrought aisle grating was placed in the Chapel of Constant Adoration of the Holy Sacrament, on the Southern side and his sons. It was founded by Władysław Kret and his sons from Ulesie, Janusz and Witold Zarówni, Wawrzyniak family as well as other donators who prefer to stay anonymous.

The new altar of God's Mercy was built in the former Baptistery Chapel, donated by two generous parishioners for the glory of Our Lord. New stalls and chairs for the future cathedral chapter were made. With a great deal of difficulty with the executors of the project, new brass chandeliers were installed in the nave adding thus to its beauty. New central installation, changing from coal into gas heating, and gas pipelines for the cathedral boiler room were installed. Two new altars in the nave were built: Our Lady's Hope's Guardian's on the right and St. Hedwig's on the left. Both are design of a local artist Henryk Baca. They were made by the carpenter Władysław Ginowicz from Krzywa.

The polychrome and gilding is the work of Mirosław Patecki from Przybyszów. The painting of St. Hedwig, founded by the soldiers of the Polish army and Legnica police officers was transferred here from Nadwórna (Lwow Archdicese) by Rev. Tadeusz Łączyński and his parishoners, who arrived in Legnica already in 1945. The painting was placed in the side altar of St. John the Baptist's church in Legnica, and when in 1947 Rev. Tadeusz Łączyński became the parishpriest of SS Peter and Paul, it was placed in the side altar of it, on the side of the Old Town market. As a result of the turbulent war years and transportation the painting was seriously damaged. In 1989 Rev. Bochnak deposited it for thorough renovation and conservation performed by a local artist Jan Henryk Baca. The renovation meant its cleaning, retouching and transferring on a new groundwork. The wooden dressing was covered with petals of gold and 557 jewels donated by 128 women. During the renovation an older inscription was uncovered: renovated by Władysław Lisik 1932. After the renovation the painting of Nadwórna returned to the cathedral.

With the help of a special scaffolding, a thorough renovation of the organs and the gilding was performed, the work took two months: July and August of 1994, requiring costly procedure.

Another scaffolding was built to conserve all the parts of the altar, they were disassembled, cleaned, supplemented and conserved in May through the middle of November 1994. The polychromes were supplemented and gilded while preserving the older gilding according to the art and the District Conservator Zdzisław Kurzeja. The work team was directed by Prof. Sylwia Szoc from Wrocław. They were assisted by the advice of an art historian and former parishioner Rev. Czesław Mazur. The main parts of the altar, its main body and the columns were thus renovated and covered with polychrome. In this way, the main altar was restored to its former brilliance, which at this size and the beauty of Baroque art gives a special character to the temple as well as decorates it.

The specially commissioned monstrance of Adoration of the Sacred Sacrament was purchased (weighing 86 kg). Specially commissioned was also the tabernaculum for the altar of Constant Adoration. It can contain many liturgical vessels, which becomes the cathedral. Laundries were built in the basement to serve the needs of the temple.

The church in all its interiors was eventually painted. Regarding the size of the temple it was an imposing task. The stained-glass windows on the outside of the church were given protective nets on the side of the Old Town Market Square and at the main entrance. The damaged confessionals were removed and six new oak confessionals were commissioned.

The organs, which used to have just six still working voices, were renovated. After the renovation and supplementation there are 53 of them now. The class of the instrument allows to organize summer concerts of various composers. The town council asked the permission to use the above mentioned organs for organizing concerts. The old sets of loud speakers were replaced and new equipment purchased. The new setup was consulted with the acoustics specialists. It functions perfectly.

All these works were performed with great engagement not only of Rev. Władysław Bochnak but also the parishioners - those of our citizens who are always generous and practicing Christians. A great help was the Parish Council with their advice, sympathy, generosity and efforts to collect money from the parishioners on their Sunday duties and write quarterly reports on the income and expenditures. These parishioners and the Parish Council deserve gratefulness and appreciation not only from Rev. Władysław Bochnak but also all the community of Legnica.