Results of tests of physical and mechanical properties of gypsum composites with organic fillers, in the form of cut straw are presented at the paper. The conducted tests aimed at determining the influence of gypsum mixtures composition and the manner of filler’s preparation on the quality of composites. Strength and thermal properties, natural radioactivity and susceptibility to biological corrosion have been examined. The results were interesting. Moreover using straw as a component of gypsum mixtures is particularly friendly for natural environment.

The study attempts to analyze the post-war sacral architecture in Poland based on the example of churches built after 1945 in the area of the present archdiocese of Częstochowa. It presents the history of sacral architecture, with particular emphasis on the years 1945–1989. It further discusses issues concerning the style of churches and problems related to structures with very large areas and cubature. Problems related to churches erected as “catechetical centers” and smaller filial churches are also mentioned. The presented issues concerning the chosen archdiocese may constitute a representative example of sacral architecture in Poland.

The paper presents traditional and contemporary method of "mossing" – filling the gaps between bales in wooden houses, with particular emphasis on old houses transferred to new places. The old and contemporary methods were analysed and the author's method applied experimentally in old wooden log house, moved in 2016, is presented.

Gypsum composites have been gaining increasing interest within last decades. Nowadays, the environment-supporting options are regaining more advocates. Thus, organic fillers are back in game. The physical and mechanical properties of gypsum composites with sawdust were tested and are described in the paper. The influence of gypsum mixture composition, the water/gypsum ratio and appropriate mineralization on the composite properties were examined. Present study focuses on the durability, thermal properties, natural radioactivity and susceptibility to biological corrosion of the tested materials.

Częstochowa is a city known as the “spiritual capital of Poland”. The reason behind this name is the sanctuary of Our Lady—”Jasna Góra” monastery—around which a settlement was established, giving rise to the city today. The first parish was established in the 14th century. The next two parishes in Częstochowa were only established at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries: St Barbara’s in 1891 and St Joseph’s in 1910. Today, Częstochowa has a population of almost 200,000, is an industrial and academic center, and has 53 parish churches. In comparison, Warsaw, Poland’s capital, with a population of 1,861,599, has 86 parishes. The vast majority of Częstochowa’s churches were built in the 1980s and 1990s. This paper presents a short history of the city’s development with particular reference to its sacred architecture. It also attempts to present the influence of church buildings on the urban layout and religious atmosphere of the city. The paper is an attempt to present the phenomenon of Częstochowa, which attracts hundreds of thousands of pilgrims from Poland and all over the world every year.