St. Simon and Juda Tadeusz
Church was
built during the years 1518-1522 at the expense and effort of Marcin Myszkowski, castellan from Wieluń. After the fire in 1702, it was rebuilt thanks to the Męcińscy family, crest Poraj. In 1746 it was consecrated by a bishop suffragan Michał Kunicki from Cracow. It was partially reconstructed in the years 1846-1847. At that time, the profile of the tower changed. It received a
baroque helmet scooped by the Austrians during the World War I, and reconstructed only after 1970. During the years 1934-1939 the main altar was rebuilt, stalls removed, and the chapels of St. Cross and St. Wojciech were painted.After 1952 the renovation of the whole church with the tower was carried out and three new bells were bought. Recently, a reconstruction of antique 21- toot pipe organs has come to an end. The main altar from late baroque, consecrated in 1746 with sculptures of Christ and Saint Wojciech and Stanislaw, and with paintings of Saint Juda and Simon and God's Change. Side altars from late baroque; left with sculptures of angels, right with sculptures of Aaron and Moses, God and angels. On the
parish grounds there is a Sanctuary of the blessed virgin Mary - a Family Patron. Initially, Żarki belonged to the parish in Leśniów, but with
time it became a separate unit. In the parish there is also a House of Single Mothers, built during the years 1986-1989, parish house from 1993 and the church in Jaroszów from 1999. A ceremonial church fete takes place on 28 October and on Sunday after that day. Żarki was first mentioned in 1382. A deep – rooted legend tells about location of the early settlement on the hill between present Żarki and Jaworznik, nearby existing at that time ruins of St. Stanisław church. Due to the fire, the inhabitants moved to lower parts and that is how new Żarki came into being. In 1406 the
town belonged to the king, but then moved to private owners. For a long time it was owned by the Myszkowscy, Korycińscy and Męcińscy families. From the year 1556 Żarki enjoyed the privilege of a market, granted by the king Zygmunt August. The tradition of markets still remains today. In 1831 Żarki properties were purchased by Piotr Steinkeller who transformed the town into a significant industrial district. He built a factory producing agronomic tools, machines used both in coal mining and metallurgy, steam kettles and mail –coaches. A modern sugar factory and brewery came into existence. At that time, Żarki, as the first town in Poland had gas street light.
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