Have you ever been overwhelmed by the sheer size and beauty of a cathedral? Standing in front of the Kathedrale St. Jakobus in Goerlitz, you can easily feel that way. The imposing neo-Gothic structure towers over the city. It was built in the late 19th century, replacing an older church that was too small for the growing population. But this impressive cathedral wasn’t always a place of worship. It was meant to be the second church of the Hl. Kreuz parish. But in 1918, after the first World War, Bishop Adolf Bertram decided to make it the focal point of a brand new parish: St. Jakobus.
One of the most intriguing aspects of the Kathedrale St. Jakobus is its troubled past. During the turbulent days of World War II, the church was severely damaged by artillery fire. Luckily, a simplified version of its spire was restored, although its original ornaments and wall paintings were largely destroyed. But its story doesn’t end there. After the war, the church became a temporary refuge for the Breslau Metropolitan Chapter. That’s because Polish authorities had expelled the head of the chapter, Vicar Capitular Ferdinand Piontek from Wroclaw. He moved his activities to Goerlitz, making St. Jakobus the temporary seat of the Breslau ordinariate. However, in 1994, Kathedrale St. Jakobus was officially elevated to a cathedral when the Diocese of Goerlitz was established, making it the focal point of the diocese and a place of worship once again.
Today, the church remains a symbol of hope and resilience, a testament to the enduring spirit of the people of Goerlitz. Imagine the stories these walls could tell. And that’s just one thing to keep in mind as you explore the Kathedrale St. Jakobus.