CHURCH OF ST. ST. MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL IN STARE SIOŁKOWICE

The history of the church in Stare Siołkowice dates back to the 16th century, when, according to legend, a wooden church stood on this site. In 1822 the wooden church was consumed by the great fire that took place in Siołkowice. The current architectural form of the church dates from 1825-1830. Unfortunately, no documents indicating the author of the new church survive to our time.

However, Karl Friedrich Schinkel, a renowned German architect, undoubtedly influenced the appearance of the church

. This may be indicated by the fact that the building has many features of the style of the "Normalkirche" reference project created by Schinkel.

The construction of the church was led by Ernst Samuel Friebel. Schinkel's own participation in the design may be evidenced by the surviving drawing of the organ case with a relief, the motif of which can be found in the master's pattern book for craftsmen and artists.

In the 1930s the church was rebuilt; among other things, the nave was extended, a new chancel was made, and the tower was made higher while retaining, however, its distinctive elements of the Schinkel style. Over the course of the 20th century, the interiors were repeatedly adapted to the current guidelines, including the post-Vatican II liturgy. In 2012 the original character of the church in Siołkowice was restored, the altars and the pulpit were reconstructed, and the coffered ceiling of the church was decorated in a way that harks back to the original interior. In 2020 Church of st.

Michael the Archangel in Stare Siołkowice was included in the newly created Opole K.F. Schinkel Architecture Trail.