The Church Of The Conversion Of The Apostle And The Monastery

Question 1

What are these structures?

Answer 1

Two magnificent structures that have stood the test of time.

Question 2

When did the story start?

Answer 2

1654

Question 3

Who arrived in the town of Žilina in 1654?

Answer 3

The Jesuits

Question 4

What did the Jesuits do in Žilina when they arrived at 1654? How did they do it?

Answer 4

Their mission was to spread the word of God. They built a Church and a monastery in 1743.

Question 5

When did the Jesuits build the Church and the monastery?

Answer 5

1743

Question 6

Who is the patron saint of this magnificent church?

Answer 6

None other than Saint Paul the Apostle.

Question 7

For how much was the statue of Saint Paul the Apostle?

Answer 7

330 gold coins

Question 8

Where was the statue of Saint Paul the Apostle bought?

Answer 8

In Munich

Question 9

Where was the statue of Saint Paul the Apostle placed?

Answer 9

In the niche on the building façade.

Question 10

When was the statue of Saint Paul the Apostle placed on the façade?

Answer 10

1888

Question 11

When was a chapel added to the church?

Answer 11

1928

Question 12

The addition of a chapel to the church

Answer 12

A part of the project by the architect Michal Maximilián Sheer

Question 13

Who decorated the church and the new chapel after it’s addition?

Answer 13

Jozef Škovránek from Bytča

Question 14

When was the church and the chapel decorated?

Answer 14

1929 - 1930

Question 15

When was the main altar built?

Answer 15

The first half of the 18th century

Question 16

In what style has the altar been built?

Answer 16

In a Baroque style

Question 17

Who drew the paintings of Saint Paul the Apostle?

Answer 17

The talented artist Jozef Božetech Klemens

Question 18

How many floors does the Monastery of Capuchins have?

Answer 18

3

Question 19

When was the Monastery of Capuchins?

Answer 19

Back in 1691

Question 20

What was the original purpose of the Monastery of Capuchins?

Answer 20

Originally founded by the Jesuits as a lower Grammar School.

Question 21

When did the Jesuits leave?

Answer 21

Their departure was in 1773

Question 22

Who was the owner of the Monastery of Capuchins after the departure of the Jesuits?

Answer 22

The town of Žilina. It was later purchased by the Bishopric of Nitra.

Question 23

When was the Monastery of Capuchins bought by the Bishopric of Nitra?

Answer 23

1832

Question 24

Why is the Monastery of Capuchins called the Orphan’s church?

Answer 24

It was bought by the Bishopric of Nitra in 1833 and the restored building was used as an orphanage.

Question 25

Who was the first to complete the Žilina Town Archives?

Answer 25

Ľudovít Stárek. The archive is still an invaluable source of information today.

Question 26

When was the church transferred under the administration of the Congregation of daughters of Christian love of St. Vincent de Paul.

Answer 26

In 1881

Question 27

What happened with the church in 1881?

Answer 27

It was transferred under the administration of the Congregation of daughters of Christian love of St. Vincent de Paul

Question 28

What was the use of the church in 1945?

Answer 28

Several Jewish children found refuge in the Monastery during the Holocaust.

Question 29

What happened to the church in 1950?

Answer 29

During the totalitarian regime the sisters Vincentky had to terminate their activities

Question 30

How was the church used after 1950?

Answer 30

The building was utilised by the Považská Gallery in Žilina

Question 31

Who has occupied the Monastery since 1993?

Answer 31

The order of Capuchins Friars Minor

Question 32

What is the church and the Monastery now?

Answer 32

They continue to be a testament to the town’s rich history and cultural heritage.