The route of wooden churches in Olesno County – a sketch

Justyna Kleszcz

doi:10.5277/arc120107

Abstract

A complex of wooden churches in Olesno district constitutes a rich collection of various types of wooden Silesian architecture. Due to its specific location on the border of several districts and geographical regions, it is a rich source of knowledge about transformations and influences of various building techniques and traditions. The study deals with historical and geographical conditions underlying the process of erecting a group of Opole churches. Further considerations are based upon an analysis of the thematic literature comprising origins of an interest in the tradition of wooden Silesian architecture dating back to the mid-19th century on the German territories. In its further parts, the article tackles issues of history and architecture as well as the interior decor of the structures situated in the area of the district. The study also includes these buildings which were destroyed during the last twenty years due to destructive activity of man. Their history illustrates the validity of all the restoring and protective measures which were taken in the recent years in order to save the still existing monuments. There is an annex to the study in the form of a list of monuments which exemplify the changes that occurred in the post war period illustrating territorial changes of Olesno district along with a slow process of destroying the wooden architecture of this region. Additional information is an extract from the Opole district monument register showing what sort of actions were taken just after the war aimed at protecting the heritage of the regained territories.

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Justyna Kleszcz*

The route of wooden churches in Olesno County – a sketch

Olesno County (Poviat) is one of the twelve counties

in the Opole Province (Voivodship) (Fig. 1), located in its

south-east corner. This is the area of the former Duchy of

2SROHWKH/DQGRI:LHOXĔDQG6LOHVLDZKHUHRQHFDQQR-

tice different wood architecture traditions from the south

of Poland.

As a result of the administration reform of Poland

which was implemented a few dozen of years ago, Ole-

sno County was incorporated into Opole Province (Fig.

2), and its area was also changed. Compared to its original

borders, the County ‘lost’ Lasowice Wielkie Commune

(Gmina) which was connected to the neighboring Klucz-

bork County and ‘gained’ the area of Rudniki and Praszka

)DFXOW\RI$UFKLWHFWXUH:URFáDZ8QLYHUVLW\RI7HFKQRORJ\

Fig. 1. Location of Olesno in Poland, Fig. by author

,O3RáRĪHQLH2OHVQDZVNDOLNUDMXU\FDXWRU

Fig. 2. Map of Olesno County, Fig. by author

Il. 2. Mapa powiatu oleskiego, ryc. autor

DOI: 10.5277/arc120107

64 -XVW\QD.OHV]F]

&RPPXQHVZKLFKKLVWRULFDOO\DOZD\VEHORQJHGWR:LHOXĔ

Upland.

That is why this paper presents all churches located

at present within the borders of Olesno County, and not

on the basis of their location in historically independent

areas. Historically, this area with the main city – Olesno

ĝOąVNLHZDVORFDWHGDWWKHMXQFWLRQRIWZRWUDGHURDGVLP-

portant for the region – the Amber Road from the Bal-

tic Sea through Moravia to southern Europe and the Salt

5RDGIURP.UDNyZWKURXJK:URFáDZWRWKHZHVWHUQSDUW

of the continent. A well developed network of settlements

provided good conditions for the development of a large

number of wooden churches [13].

In 1871, in his paper on wooden churches in Upper

Silesia, Luchs listed 194 such churches in that area [11,

pp. 109–121]. 137 of them have survived until today in

Upper Silesia (Fig. 3), 18 of which are located in the area

of Olesno County. Still at the end of the 20

century, there

were 20 of them, however, several of them were destroyed

LQDVHULHVRI¿UHVDQGWKHIWV

A few characteristic types can be distinguished among

wooden churches in Olesno County on the basis of their

IRXQGDWLRQ7KH\ZHUHSDULVKRU¿OLDOFKXUFKHVIRXQGHGE\

the church or private founders; cemetery churches located

by existing or newly established cemeteries and votive

churches characteristic of the times of wars and epidemics,

including a special type of the so called bubonic church.

All wooden churches in the area of Opole Region built

between the 15

and 19

centuries were log structures. The

churches built after 1742 had towers which were timber-

framed (post-and-beam) or frame structures because of the

regulations introduced in Prussia on reduction of the use of

wood which was needed for the development of industry [1].

The location of churches depended on a number of so-

cial, political, and historical factors as well as geography

and nature. There are two main types of location – inside

and outside a village. In the case of the latter, churches

were located on hills [16]. This type of location was noted

E\*HUPDQUHVHDUFKHUVRIWKDWDUHDDOUHDG\EHIRUH:RUOG

:DU,,DVSURYLGLQJWKHEHVWYLHZDQGLWZDVHDV\WRGH-

fend, and in respect of liturgy – as the most exposed and

WKHHDVLHVWWR¿QG6XFKDORFDWLRQZDVDOVRLPSRUWDQWIRU

the spatial composition of the whole settlement by pro-

viding an increased scenic exposure and a landmark. The

purely construction aspect should not be ignored either.

It is important to choose a location for wooden structures

which is less exposed to water, has a better exposure to

wind and sunlight, and undoubtedly a location on a hill

provides such conditions. There are also other types of lo-

cation which cannot be explained by rational reasons. In

VXFKFDVHVLWLVRIWHQWKHKLVWRU\RIVSHFL¿FSODFHVZKLFK

is connected with some past events often incorporated in

legends or miracles as in the case of the Church of St.

Anne in Olesno.

The distinctive features of the churches presented in

this paper included their towers whose design was con-

nected with the whole building. For historical reasons,

as mentioned earlier, all church towers which have been

preserved in the area of the County are post-and-beam or

frame structures.

7KHFURZQLQJDFKLHYHPHQWRIDOOZRRGHQFKXUFKHVZLWK

DQQH[HVLVWKH&KXUFKRI6W$QQHLQ5RVHQEHUJ'XHWRWKH

QDPHRIWKHFLW\RI5RVHQEHUJWKHSDUWRIWKHEXLOGLQJZLWK

FKDSHOVZDVEXLOWLQWKHVKDSHRIDURVHZLWK¿YHSHWDOV

,WVEXLOGHU ±WKH FDUSHQWHUPDVWHU6HPSHN IURP*OLZLFH

DW¿UVW LQWHQGHGWREXLOG WKRVH ³URVHSHWDOV´ LQD URXQG

IRUP+RZHYHU DVZRRGGRHV QRWVXEPLWWR EHQGLQJKH

GHVLJQHGWKHFKDSHOVZLWKDWZRVLGHGHQG [9, p. 15–16].

For static reasons typical tower walls were slightly

tilted, which feature is much more frequent than much

simpler towers with straight walls. It was Dienwiebel who

¿UVWGHVFULEHGWKHFKDUDFWHULVWLFIHDWXUHVRIWKHWRZHUVDQG

systematically divided them into types [3] (Fig. 4).

7KH ÀRRU SODQV RI WKH FKXUFKHV FRXOG GLIIHU JUHDWO\

They demonstrate, however, a few characteristic features

taken directly from the Latin liturgy. As a rule, with very

few exceptions, the sanctuary was much narrower than the

QDYH7KLVFDXVHGDQXPEHURIGLI¿FXOWLHVLQWKHZRRGHQ

structures and that is why the researchers were surprised

with its consistent use. However, it has not been determined

whether the pattern for wooden ecclesiastical buildings in

3RODQGZDVWDNHQGLUHFWO\IURPWKH:HVWHUQ(XURSHDQPD-

sonry architecture or from the wooden architecture which

was much more popular in those times. This opinion is

shared by the Polish researcher of wooden ecclesiastical

DUFKLWHFWXUHLQ6LOHVLD-y]HI0DWXV]F]DN>SS±@

,WZDV+HUEHUW'LHQZLHEHOZKR¿UVWFODVVL¿HGZRRGHQ

churches in his publication on wooden churches in Lower

Silesia [3, pp. 88–93]. The churches built for Protestants

have the most simple plan (Type A). The oldest churches,

which one can come across now, are Type B churches with

Fig. 3. Map of locations of wooden churches in Silesia

GHYHORSHGE\-.OHV]F]

,O0DSDUR]PLHV]F]HQLDGUHZQLDQ\FKNRĞFLRáyZQDWHUHQLHĝOąVND

RSUDF-.OHV]F]

 7KHURXWHRIZRRGHQFKXUFKHVLQ2OHVQR&RXQW\±DVNHWFK 65

a rectangular nave, sanctuary, and sacristy. The most pop-

ular was Type C where the sanctuary has a three-sided end

and slightly shorter or elongated sacristy in relation to the

sanctuary. There are also examples of naves with three-

sided ends from the east or from the west (Type D). Those

PRVWVLPSOHW\SHVRIÀRRUSODQVZHUHWKHEDVLVIRUMXUWKHU

variants with additional chapels from the side of the sanc-

tuary or the nave which could be extended [29]. However,

WKHPRVWRULJLQDOÀRRUSODQZDVXQGRXEWHGO\WKDWRIWKH

Church of St. Anne in Olesno with radiating chapels on a

SODQRIDURVHZLWK¿YHSHWDOV7\SH+ZKLFKZDVDOUHDG\

distinguished by Dienwiebel [3, p. 91] (Fig. 5).

It is even known how much money was paid to the

carpenter for his work. It was  7KDOHUV HDFKZLWK 

*URVKHQVHDFK*URVKHQZLWK6LOHVLDQ+DOHUVDQGDOVR

OLWHUVRIU\HOLWHUVRIZKHDWOLWHUVRIWDUWDU\

EXFNZKHDWOLWHUVRIEDUOH\OLWHUVRIPLOOHWJURDWV

OLWHUVRISHDVTXDUWVRIEXWWHUFXWVRISRUNIDW

WKUHHVFRUHVRIFKHHVHEDUUHOVRIEHHU [4, p. 48].

The journey around the area of almost over 970 km

should begin from the most precious historic monument of

the Land of Olesno – the&KXUFKRI6W$QQHLQ2OHVQR

(Fig. 6). It is the only church in this area built as a pilgrim-

DJH¿OLDOFKXUFKRIWKHSDULVKLQ2OHVQR7KHRULJLQRIWKDW

church, located in a little out-of-the-way place right outside

of the town, is connected with a romantic legend about the

daughter of a townsman from Olesno who was miraculously

saved as a result of St. Anne’s intervention and a pine tree hid

the girl with its branches from robbers who were chasing her

[8]. Still today one can admire that pine tree trunk built into

WKHFKXUFK¶VKLJKDOWDU7KH¿UVWPHQWLRQRIWKHVKULQHEXLOWLQ

the place of that miraculous salvation comes from 1444. The

¿UVWZRRGHQFKXUFKEXLOWLQWKDWSODFHRUDFWXDOO\ULJKWDERYH

that earlier shrine, dates back to 1518. According to accounts,

the shrine was built by Marcin Snopek – the carpenter mas-

WHUERUQLQ.UDNyZZKRZDVOLYLQJLQ*OLZLFH+LVWRULFDO

sources mention three forms of his last name: Snopek, Sem-

pek, and Senepek [4, p. 48], [7, p. 310]. As the number of

pilgrimages grew, it became necessary to extend the existing

structure [7]. In 1668, the body of the church was annexed by

¿YHUDGLDWLQJLQGXOJHQFHFKDSHOVRQDKH[DJRQDOSODQZLWK

its sixth side being the connection to the body of the church,

and a wooden copula topped by a turret located above the

central part. The heads of the windows both in the nave and

in the sanctuary were semicircular, whereas the forms of the

windows in the radiating chapels allude to the symbolism of

a rose in the coat of arms of Olesno, being one of the most in-

teresting forms of Baroque in wooden architecture, featuring

squares and semicircles. In 1707, a sacristy was built from

the north-east side of the sanctuary (Fig. 7).

The whole church has a number of features character-

istic of wooden architecture of the region: above the choir

supported on two columns there is a wooden tower topped

by a bulbous cupola, whereas the nave and the sanctu-

Fig. 4. Types of plans of wooden churches in Opole Silesia,

[3, pp. 88–93]

,O7\S\U]XWyZNRĞFLRáyZGUHZQLDQ\FKQDĝOąVNX2SROVNLP

[3, s. 88–93]

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Fig. by author

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Fig. by author

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66 -XVW\QD.OHV]F]

DU\ KDYH D ÀDW ZRRGHQ FHLOLQJ >@ 7KH VDQFWXDU\ ZLWK

a thee-sided end is partly blocked by a longer sacristy.

$VPDOOÀqFKHPDUNVWKHSODFHZKHUHWKHUHLVDKLJKDOWDU7KH

church’s roof goes low around the nave, the sanctuary and

the connection, providing overhangs supported by columns.

The whole building is covered with a shingled gabled roof.

The most precious treasure in the church was a winged

DOWDUIURPWKH:LW6WZRV]*HU9HLW6WRVV) workshop [20]

but this masterpiece was stolen in 1994. The main panel

of the triptych presented St. Anne with her family sur-

rounded by the church founders and the town councilors.

Its wings showed four scenes from the life of the Sacred

)DPLO\±WKH$QQRXQFLDWLRQWKH9LVLWDWLRQ WKH1DWLYLW\

and the Adoration of the Magi.

The side chapels were also richly decorated; different

SULYDWHIRXQGHUVFDUHGIRUHDFKRIWKHP7KH¿UVWFKDSHO

from south-east was dedicated to St. Anne. It was under

WKHSDWURQDJHRI3ULRU0LFKDá2FKRWVNL7KHQH[WFKDSHO

IRXQGHG E\ :DFáDZ 6ODERQLXV SUHVHQWHG WKH VFHQHV RI

the Elevation of the Holy Cross. The chapels dedicated to

)RXUWHHQ+RO\+HOSHUVDQGWKH$VVXPSWLRQRIWKH9LUJLQ

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WR2XU/DG\RI&]ĊVWRFKRZDZDVFDUHGIRUE\WKHKHUPLW

:DZU]\QLHF&K\OHN

Another church on the route is the Church of St. Mary

0DJGDOHQH LQ 6WDUH 2OHVQR (Fig. 8). Built in 1680 as

D ¿OLDO FKXUFK RI WKH SDULVK LQ 2OHVQR LW VHUYHG DV VXFK

until 1911 when it became a parish church. Renovated

in 1955–59, it charms with its simplicity. The church is

a typical example of wooden architecture in the Opole

5HJLRQ *HRJUDSKLFDOO\ RULHQWHG LW KDV D ORJ VWUXFWXUH

with the front tower connected with the nave which has

a post-and-beam structure, covered with a shingled gabled

roof. The tilted walls of the tower are covered with wood

board siding, the tower had a spire with a pyramid roof. Ad-

GLWLRQDOO\DERYHWKHQDYHWKHUHLVDVPDOOIRXUVLGHGÀqFKH

The rectangular sanctuary, narrower than the nave, has

a square end which adjoins the sacristy. Small storage rooms

are located on both sides of the west tower. The tilted walls

of the tower are covered with pine tree boards. The remaining

walls and the roof were covered with wooden shingles.

Its interior has exquisite ceiling decorations – the sanc-

WXDU\KDVDIDOVHEDUUHOYDXOWDQGWKHQDYHKDVDÀDWFHLO-

ing. The choir supported on two columns is a typical solu-

WLRQHPSOR\HGLQWKLVDUHDDVLVFODGGLQJZLWKKRUL]RQWDO

boards. The west bell tower is crowned with an octagonal

pyramid roof.

The &KXUFK RI 6W /DZUHQFH LQ :DFKyZ (Fig. 9),

D¿OLDOFKXUFKRIWKHSDULVKLQ:\VRNDLV located south

)LJ9LHZRIWKH&KXUFKRI6W$QQHLQ2OHVQR)LJE\DXWKRU

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Fig. by author

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 7KHURXWHRIZRRGHQFKXUFKHVLQ2OHVQR&RXQW\±DVNHWFK 67

RI6WDUH2OHVQR,WZDV¿UVWPHQWLRQHGLQ7KHQH[W

structures were built in the place of the original church

from 1560–80; the present building comes from 1706.

Just like most other churches in this area, it is oriented;

the body of the church has a log structure and the front

tower has a post-and-beam structure. The four-sided tow-

er with tilted walls is crowned with a four-sided cupola

covered with metal sheet. The nave and the sanctuary are

surrounded by overhangs supported on columns, covered

with wooden shingles, just like the multi-ridge roof. Simi-

ODUO\WRPRVWFKXUFKHVLQWKLVJURXSWKHQDYHKDVDÀDW

wood ceiling, whereas the sanctuary has a false barrel.

The sanctuary has a polygonal end with Baroque decora-

tions of the high altar. The walls and ceilings are covered

with rich polychrome by J. Marchwica from 1952.

The &KXUFKRI6W9DOHQWLQHLQ'REURG]LHĔis located

furthermost to the south in Olesno County (Fig. 10). It

ZDV ¿UVWPHQWLRQHG DOUHDG\ LQWKH 

century, though

the present building is dated to 1630. The present building

was renovated and remodeled a number of times which

to different extent changed its original shape and furnish-

ings. The church suffered the greatest damage, however,

GXULQJ:RUOG:DU,,LWZDVUHVWRUHGDIWHUWKHZDU/RFDWHG

by a cemetery, inside the village, at present it serves only

as a cemetery church.

The church has a log structure with its front tower fused

in the vestibule whose width is the same as that of the

nave. From outside, the whole building, including its roof

and the walls, is covered with wooden shingles. The tower

with a small pyramid roof is topped by a bulbous cupola.

Behind a rectangular nave, there is a narrower sanctuary

with a three-sided end and a four-sided sacristy, adjoining

it from the side.

The sanctuary, which is covered with a false segmented

vault, has late-Baroque decorations inside. The nave and

WKHVDFULVW\KDYHDÀDWFHLOLQJDQGWKHUHLVDFKRLUVXSSRUW-

ed on two columns from the side of the entrance. Similarly

to most churches in that area, except for the church in Ole-

sno, the windows have segmented heads.

In RadawieZKLFKLVZHVWRI'REURG]LHĔWKHUHLVWKH

Church of the Elevation of the Holy Cross (Fig. 11).

,WLVRQHRIWKHROGHVWEXLOGLQJVLQWKLVDUHD,WZDV¿UVW

mentioned in 1305. It became a parish church already in

1500. It was extensively remodeled in the 18

century and

its present shape has been preserved ever since. In 1650–

LWZDVD¿OLDOFKXUFKRIWKHSDULVKLQ=ąENRZLFHDQG

at present it is an independent parish. After 1945, it was

renovated a number of times and to a different extent. At

that time, the building, which is also a log structure, in or-

der to provide a better protection and stiffness was moved

to a new foundation and placed on a masonry base course.

Its external walls are covered with wood boards and to

some degree also with shingles. Above the nave, there is

a small hexagonal turret with a bulbous cupola. In the west

part of the nave, there is an octagonal tower built as a post-

and-beam structure, covered with vertical boards, topped

by a bulbous roof and a blind lantern. The nave begins

with a vestibule which is the base of the tower. Behind

the nave, there is a narrower polygonal sanctuary. It has

a sacristy adjoining it from the north with a lodge upstairs.

,WV LQWHULRUV DUH DOO FRYHUHG ZLWKSODVWHUDQGKDYH ÀDW

ceilings. The choir is unusually supported on four columns.

The &KXUFKRI6W5RFKLQ*URG]LVNR is also unusual

IRUWKHDUHDRIWKH FRXQW\,W ZDV¿UVWPHQWLRQHG LQ WKH

FKXUFKGRFXPHQWVLQ>@,WKDVDOZD\VEHHQD¿OLDO

church of the parish in Olesno. It was built near the village

on a hill where a small group of townsmen from Olesno

hid during the plague in 1708. It is the only votive church

in that area which was erected as a result of a lot of ef-

fort and with the funds from the townsmen who survived

the plague. There is a town document from August 18,

ZKLFKFRQ¿UPV WKH FRVWV LQFXUUHGRQLWVFRQVWUXF-

tion [6], [22]. This is how its unusual design can be ex-

plained. The church does not have a tower. Its walls above

overhangs are covered with wooden shingles and boards

in their lower section. The whole building is covered with

a gabled roof with a steeple crowned with a helm. The

sanctuary with a three-sided end opens on the side to

a sacristy with a founder’s lodge upstairs. The date 1708

DQGWKHLQVFULSWLRQ³EXERQLFSODJXH´ZHUHEXUQHGWKHUH

The whole church was built on a masonry base course, as

a log structure. The masonry base course is contemporary

and comes from 1960 when the building was thoroughly

renovated [28].

)LJ9LHZRIWKH&KXUFKRI6W/DZUHQFHLQ:DFKyZ)LJE\DXWKRU

,O:LGRNQDNRĞFLyáĞZ:DZU]\ĔFDZ:DFKRZLHU\FDXWRU

)LJ9LHZRIWKH&KXUFKRI6W9DOHQWLQHLQ'REURG]LHĔ)LJE\DXWKRU

,O:LGRNQDNRĞFLyáĞZ:DOHQWHJRZ'REURG]LHQLXU\FDXWRU

68 -XVW\QD.OHV]F]

At the end of the nave, there is a choir supported on four

FROXPQV7KHERG\RIWKHFKXUFKZKLFKKDVDÀDWFHLOLQJ

contrasts with the false barrel vault in the sanctuary. Also

WKH VKDSHRI WKH ZLQGRZV LV XQXVXDOZKLFK WHVWL¿HV WR

a closer reference of the style to the church of St. Anne in

Olesno than to other churches in the county. The windows

in the nave do not have typical polygonal heads, and they

differ from the windows in the sanctuary. The nave has

windows with semicircular heads, whereas the sanctuary

has circular windows. The interior decorations correspond

to the times when they were made – Baroque altar comes

most probably from the times when the church was built.

$OLWWOHIXUWKHUWRWKHHDVWRI*URG]LVNRLQWKHYLOODJHRI

Sowczyce, there is the Church of St. Anthony of Padua.

It differs from the other churches described above by the

simplicity of form which is unusual for this area. The build-

LQJKDVDQHYHQWIXOKLVWRU\,WZDV¿UVWPHQWLRQHGLQ

7KHSUHVHQWFKXUFKZDVEXLOWLQ,WZDVD¿OLDOFKXUFK

RIWKHSDULVKLQ:\VRNDDQGRULJLQDOO\LWZDVEXLOWLQWKHYLO-

ODJHRIàRPQLFD+RZHYHUDOUHDG\LQLWZDVPRYHG

WR6RZF]\FH)LJ,QLWVWRSSHGVHUYLQJRQO\DV

D¿OLDOFKXUFKRIWKHSDULVKLQàRPQLFDDQGEHFDPHDOVR

a cemetery church.

Built as a log structure on a new base course, it has

walls covered with wooden boards. Its gabled roof with

one ridge covers both the nave and the narrower sanctuary

with a vestibule annexed to it. On the other side, along

the nave and the sacristy, there is a wood clad addition

too. The church does not have a tower, and there is only

DOLWWOHIRXUVLGHGÀqFKHFRYHUHGZLWKDVKLQJOHGJDEOHG

roof above the nave. The choir, supported on two straight

FROXPQVKDVDÀDWFHLOLQJ

)XUWKHUWRWKHHDVWRI6RZF]\FHWKHUHLVWKHChurch

RI6W0DUWLQDQG%DUWKRORPHZORFDWHGLQ%RUNL:LHO-

NLH7KHFKXUFKZDV¿UVWPHQWLRQHGLQDQGWKDWYHU\

building has been preserved until today. Originally, it was

D¿OLDOFKXUFKRIWKHSDULVKLQ2OHVQRDWSUHVHQWLWLVRQO\

a cemetery church. Originally, it did not have a tower. In

WKHFDUSHQWU\PDVWHU6]\PRQ6WDGNREXLOWDVLPSOH

tower surrounded by overhangs and wood cladding above

them. The massive tower has a pyramid roof with wooden

shingles, a lantern with a bulbous cupola covered with

metal sheet. Above its straight nave which has a gabled

URRIWKHUHLVDVPDOOKH[DJRQDOÀqFKHZLWKDEXOERXVFX-

pola. The sanctuary with a three-sided end was annexed

by a sacristy.

7KHUHDUHZRRGHQÀDWFHLOLQJVLQVLGHZLWKQRDGGLWLRQDO

SDLQWLQJGHFRUDWLRQV7KHFKRLUZLWKDÀDWSDUDSHWVXS-

ported on two columns, was extended along part of the

walls of the nave. The windows, just like in the church in

*URG]LVNKDYHVHPLFLUFXODUKHDGV

The &KXUFK RI 6W +HGZLJ LQ %LVNXSLFH was men-

WLRQHGDOUHDG\LQ7KH¿UVWEXLOGLQJHUHFWHGLQWKDW

place comes from that period. The present building was

EXLOW LQ  E\ -DQ 0L[WD IURP .UDVNyZ >@ 8QWLO

1945, it served as a parish church. After that year, it be-

FDPHD¿OLDOFKXUFKRIWKHSDULVKLQ2OHVQR,WVFRQVWUXF-

tion is typical of the area of Opole Region. The body of

the church, which has a log structure, was annexed by

a four-sided tower with slightly tilted walls topped by an oc-

tagonal bulbous cupola covered with metal sheet (Fig. 13).

Above the nave which has a gabled roof, there is a small

KH[DJRQDOÀqFKHWRSSHGE\DEXOERXVFXSROD7KHVDQF-

tuary was annexed by a vestibule, and the tower by two

storage rooms on its sides.

The circular windows in the sanctuary have outside po-

O\JRQDOIUDPHV7KHQDYHKDVDW\SLFDOÀDWFHLOLQJZKHUH-

DVWKHVDQFWXDU\KDVDIDOVHYDXOWZLWKDÀDWWHQHGDUFK7KH

interior has late-Baroque furnishings which date back to

the times when the church was built.

The 3DULVK&KXUFKRI6W0DUWLQLQĩ\WQLyZZDV¿UVW

mentioned in 1312. The building burned down several times,

and the present church comes from 1817. Only its sanctuary

KDVVXUYLYHGWKH¿UHV)RUVRPHWLPHWKHVDQFWXDU\VHUYHGDV

DFKDSHO7KHSUHVHQWEXLOGLQJDFWXDOO\FRPHVIURP7U]FLQLFD

>@$IWHULWZDVGLVDVVHPEOHGDQGPRYHGWRĩ\WQLyZWKH

church was put back together in 1837 by the carpenter Jakub

2ĞUyGND7KLVLVWKHRQO\FKXUFKLQWKHFRXQW\ZKLFKKDV

a log structure on a cross plan with two side chapels attached

to the body of the church and the sanctuary much narrower

)LJ9LHZRIWKH&KXUFKRIWKH(OHYDWLRQRIWKH+RO\&URVV

in Radawie, Fig. by author

,O:LGRNQDNRĞFLyá3RGZ\ĪV]HQLD.U]\ĪDĝZZ5DGDZLX

ryc. autor

)LJ9LHZRIWKH&KXUFKRI6W$QWKRQ\RI3DGXDLQ6RZF]\FH

Fig. by author

,O:LGRNQDNRĞFLyáĞZ$QWRQLHJR]3DGZ\Z6RZF]\FDFK

ryc. autor

 7KHURXWHRIZRRGHQFKXUFKHVLQ2OHVQR&RXQW\±DVNHWFK 69

than the nave. Both the chapels and the sanctuary have three-

sided ends. The whole building has a gabled roof covered

with wooden shingles with two ridge beams. In the place

where the nave and the sanctuary meet, there is a two-staged,

KH[DJRQDOÀqFKHZLWKDEXOERXVFXSRODFRYHUHGZLWKPHWDO

sheet. There is a vestibule annexed from the north.

7KHFKXUFKLQĩ\WQLyZLVWKHRQO\ZRRGHQFKXUFKLQ

Poland with masonry crypts with the tombs of the Sie-

UDG]NL IDPLO\DQG DQ XQGHUJURXQG YHVWLEXOHMRLQLQJ WKH

church with the rectory.

The interior decoration of the church comes from the

middle of the 19

century when the church was decorated

in neo-Baroque style. At that time, a bell tower was also

added. The nave was covered with a groin vault and the

sanctuary with a typical false barrel. The window heads,

which are all pointed, also testify to the unusual design of

the building. Both the choir with no columns and the whole

interior was covered with richly decorated polychrome.

The wooden &KXUFKRIWKH+RO\7ULQLW\LQ-DZRU]QR

is located furthermost to the east in Olesno County. Al-

WKRXJKWKHGDWHRILWV¿UVWORFDWLRQLVXQNQRZQLWZDV¿UVW

mentioned at the beginning of the 16

century as a church

located in the place of the older one. In 1570–1660, the

church served as a Roman Catholic church of the parish in

3DU]\PLHFK\)LJ7KHFKXUFKZDVUHPRGHOHGPDQ\

times, including the addition of side chapels. The most im-

portant remodelings took place in 1767 and 1921–23 [21].

A tower with its post-and-beam structure was added to

the nave which has a log structure. The whole body of the

church was covered with one shingled gabled roof, where-

as the tower was covered with a pyramid roof with a metal

sheet lantern. In the place where the nave and the sanctuary

PHHWWKHUHLVDÀqFKHZLWKDS\UDPLGFXSROD7KHSRO\JRQDO

closure of the sanctuary was not remodeled, unlike the nave

which, during the remodeling in 1921–23, was extended to

the west by one bay. Additionally, at that time the width of

the nave was extended north and south and two chapels were

added, one on each side. A sacristy divided into two levels

was also added to the body of the church. In this way an addi-

tional room was connected with the sanctuary by a window.

&RYHULQJLWVLQWHULRUVZLWKÀDWFHLOLQJVRUIDOVHEDUUHOLV

typical of the churches in this area.

The Church of St. Leonard the Prior in Wierzbie is

located furthermost to the north. Although the exact date

of its construction is unknown, a wooden church dedi-

FDWHGWR6W/HRQDUGLQWKDWDUHDZDV¿UVWPHQWLRQHGLQ

the 16

FHQWXU\PRVWOLNHO\IURPEHIRUH7KH¿UVW

description of the church comes from 1668. The church

ZDVH[WHQVLYHO\UHQRYDWHGIRUWKH¿UVWWLPHLQUH-

placement of wooden shingles) and then in 1889 as well

as in 1949. It was totally remodeled in 1971–1974 [19].

According to various sources, the building is an exam-

SOHRIDODWH*RWKLFYDULDWLRQRIDZRRGHQFKXUFK*UHDWHU

3RODQGW\SHRURIDQDUURZHUFDWHJRU\RI:LHOXĔW\SHRI

churches [25], with such characteristic features as a com-

mon location and time of construction (the 16

century).

7KH:LHOXĔW\SHRIFKXUFKHVZHUHEXLOWLQDGLIIHUHQWZD\

than the Opole type of churches from larch wood and they

are log structures. The single-naved, oriented church in

:LHU]ELHKDVZRRGVLGLQJ)LJ7KHFKXUFK¶VVDQFWX-

DU\LVVLJQL¿FDQWO\QDUURZHUDQGVKRUWHUWKDQLWVQDYH7KH

whole building is covered with a shingled gabled roof with

two ridge beams. The only difference is the lack of a tower

which would be an extension of the nave to the west with

a characteristic form. Although the tower of the church in

:LHU]ELHZKLFKLVGHVLJQHGRQDVTXDUHSODQLVLQIDFW

added to the nave, it has a post-and-beam structure and its

walls are slightly tilted. It has a pyramid roof also covered

with wooden shingles. The church has two side sacristies,

one made of wood and the other masonry with monopitch

roofs. The latter was annexed with an extension built dur-

ing renovation in 1949. Above the end of the nave, there is

DVPDOOÀqFKHRQDVTXDUHSODQWRSSHGE\DEXOERXVPHWDO

sheet roof. Two vestibules are from the front and the side

of the nave. Special attention should be drawn to its side

entrance with a wooden portal, unusual in the area of Ole-

sno County, from the 16

century divided in two, its upper

circular section inserted on a rectangular door frame [24].

,QVLGHWKHQDYHDQGWKHVDQFWXDU\KDYHDFRPPRQÀDW

ceiling. The sacristy, however, has a different barrel and

groin vault. The sanctuary is separated from the nave by

a wooden, carved rood beam [27]. The choir, also made

of wood, which is supported on two carved columns with

)LJ9LHZRIWKH&KXUFKRI6W+HGZLJLQ%LVNXSLFH)LJE\DXWKRU

,O:LGRNQDNRĞFLyáĞZ-DGZLJLZ%LVNXSLFDFKU\FDXWRU

)LJ9LHZRIWKH&KXUFKRIWKH+RO\7ULQLW\LQ-DZRU]QR)LJE\DXWKRU

,O:LGRNQDNRĞFLyáĞZ7UyMF\Z-DZRU]QLHU\FDXWRU

70 -XVW\QD.OHV]F]

the parapet projected in its middle section, is a subtle con-

¿UPDWLRQRIWKHHDUO\%DURTXHRULJLQRIWKHFKXUFK7KDW

part is additionally decorated by the sculptural presenta-

tion of angels playing instruments [26].

The Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Vir-

gin Mary in Uszyce is located in the furthermost north

corner of the county. It is also one of its oldest buildings.

,WZDV¿UVWPHQWLRQHGLQDQGLWH[LVWHGLQLWVSUHVHQW

form already in 1517 when the church was consecrated.

In spite of being remodeled a number of times, it did not

ORVHLWVRULJLQDOFKDUDFWHU,Q±WKHVLJQL¿FDQFH

RIWKHFKXUFKGLPLQLVKHG,WEHFDPHD¿OLDOFKXUFKRIWKH

SDULVKLQ=G]LHFKRZLFH>@,QLWEHFDPHDSDU-

ish church again. The church, which has a log structure,

has a front tower which has a post-and-beam structure

covered with boards and a massive pyramid roof. The

H[WHUQDO¿QLVKRIWKHZDOOVDQGWKHJDEOHGURRIDUHW\SL-

cal of the region. The walls are covered with pine tree

boards, reinforced with special clasps, whereas the roof

is covered with wooden shingles. Above the end of the

QDYHWKHUHLVDKH[DJRQDO ÀqFKHFRYHUHGZLWKDPHWDO

sheet bulbous roof (Fig. 16). This is also a bell tower. Its

EHOOZDVFDVWLQ:URFáDZLQ,WKDVDQLQVFULSWLRQ

in Polish. The sacristy with the founder’s lodge upstairs

which opens to the sanctuary was added to the sanctu-

ary which has a three-sided end and is narrower than the

nave. External roofed steps lead to it. The choir, which is

located from the west, does not have any columns. There

is a vestibule going inside from the south.

1HDU8V]\FHWKHUHLVDYLOODJHRI*RáD and the Church

of St. Nicholas is in that village. It was mentioned already

in about 1353, but its present form comes from the turn of

the 17

and 18

centuries. From the very beginning it was

D¿OLDOFKXUFKRIWKHSDULVKLQ=G]LHFKRZLFH

As one of few churches in this area, it has a bulbous

roof above the tower with a lantern which is completely

covered with metal sheet. A hexagonal tower, added do

the nave, was built with the same height as the gabled roof

RIWKHQDYH7KHVDQFWXDU\ZKLFKLVVLJQL¿FDQWO\QDUURZHU

than the nave, has a three-sided end. The walls, which are

covered with vertical boards, were reinforced with spe-

cial clasps; the roof has two ridge beams and it is covered

with wooden shingles. One of its distinctive features are

the round windows in the sanctuary. There is a choir sup-

ported on six columns from the west.

One of the most precious treasures is the gravestone of

Hans von Kuschenbohr from 1684 and a bell cast in the

VDPH\HDULQ:URFáDZ

The church is very similar to the Church of St. John

WKH%DSWLVWLQ.R]áRZLFH which was built around the sec-

ond half of the 17

century from the foundation of Adam

von Frankenberg.

The church, which has a log structure, was built on

a new masonry base course. A short four-sided front

tower, which has a post-and-beam structure and its

walls are covered with vertical boards, was added to

the nave. The octagonal roof above it is covered with

wooden shingles. Similarly to other churches, the sanc-

tuary is shorter and narrower than the nave, and it has

a three-sided end. A sacristy with a three-sided end and

a founder’s lodge upstairs which opens to the sanctu-

ary was also added to the sanctuary. External unroofed

steps lead to the lodge.

Inside, there is an impressive false barrel vault lowered

in the sanctuary. Rich interior painting decoration is also

worth noting. Both the walls and the vaults are covered

with polychrome. The older of them, from the 18

centu-

ry, covers the walls of the nave and the sanctuary, whereas

the newer one, from the 19

century, was applied to the

vault. The interior decoration is completed with Baroque

and late-Baroque furnishings.

The Church of St. Mary Magdalene, built in 1679,

is located in a small village of %RURV]yZ, north of

2OHVQR8QWLOLWZDVD¿OLDOFKXUFKRIWKHSDULVK

in Sternalice, later, for a short time until 1775, it was

D¿OLDOFKXUFKRIWKHSDULVKLQ%LVNXSLFH,QDI-

ter more than one hundred years when it belonged to

.RĞFLHOLVNDLWUHWXUQHGWR%LVNXSLFH>@

Similarly to the buildings described above, this

church has an exceptionally simple structure and very

similar internal layout. Similarly, a short, massive, four-

sided tower which has a post-and-beam structure with

)LJ9LHZRIWKH&KXUFKRI6W/HRQDUGWKH3ULRULQ:LHU]ELH

Fig. by author

,O:LGRNQDNRĞFLyáĞZ/HRQDUGD2SDWDZ:LHU]ELXU\FDXWRU

)LJ9LHZRIWKH&KXUFKRIWKH$VVXPSWLRQRIWKH%OHVVHG9LUJLQ

0DU\LQ8V]\FH)LJE\DXWKRU

,O:LGRNQDNRĞFLyá:QLHERZ]LĊFLD103Z8V]\FDFKU\FDXWRU

 7KHURXWHRIZRRGHQFKXUFKHVLQ2OHVQR&RXQW\±DVNHWFK 71

slightly tilted walls covered with wood was added to

the straight nave. The tower has an octagonal pyramid

roof covered with metal sheet. Just like the other cases,

the whole church has a log structure with outside wood

cladding and a massive base course. Both the sanctuary

with a three-sided end and the nave are covered with

a shingled gabled roof with two ridge beams. A sacristy

was added to the sanctuary from the side. All windows

in the building have segmented heads, most simple and

most popular in this area.

Inside, the choir supported on two columns has Rococo

GHFRUDWLRQV7KHQDYHKDVDÀDWFHLOLQJDQGWKHVDQFWXDU\

with a false barrel vault, has simple painting decorations

LQJHRPHWULF¿HOGV

The Church of St. Margaret in Jamy comes from the

VDPHSHULRGDVWKHFKXUFKLQ%RURV]yZ$OWKRXJKWKHH[-

act date of its construction is unknown, the church was

¿UVWPHQWLRQHGLQZKHQLWZDVD¿OLDOFKXUFKRIWKH

SDULVK LQ*RU]yZ ĝOąVNL'HVWUR\HG LQ LW ZDV UH-

built from the foundation of Count Karol Zygmunt von

$XORFN,WLWEHFDPHD¿OLDOFKXUFKRIWKHSDULVKLQ

.R]áRZLFH

:KDWGLVWLQJXLVKHVWKLVFKXUFKIURPWKHRWKHUFKXUFK-

es is its squat construction, with straight walls, which is

a little higher and goes above the level of the nave roof

ULGJH,WVÀDWWHQHGS\UDPLGURRIKDVDVPDOORQLRQFXSROD

The church is also unusual because it does not have sepa-

rate ridge beams above the nave and the sanctuary with

a three-sided end. Both parts of the church have equal

heights and one roof with one ridge beam. On the side,

there is a sacristy with the founder’s lodge upstairs. Exter-

nal unroofed steps lead to it (Fig. 17).

The choir, whose parapet projects a little in its middle

section, is supported on six columns. The choir was ex-

tended to the middle of the length of the side walls of the

nave.

From among the churches described in this paper, the

church in Jamy is the only one with square window heads

DQGÀDWFHLOLQJVDERYHERWKWKHQDYHDQGWKHVDQFWXDU\

It should be noted that this group of churches in-

cludes also the church which until 1910 was in2OHVQR,

LQWKHVRFDOOHG0DáH3U]HGPLHĞFLHLQSODFHRIWKHFRQ-

temporary, masonry Corpus Christi Church. The old

hospital church, also dedicated to Corpus Christi, which

ZDVIXQGHGDW¿UVWIURPWKHPXQLFLSDODQGODWHUPRQDV-

WLFWUHDVXU\ZDVEXLOWLQZKLFKLVFRQ¿UPHGE\

the inscription on the beam of the side wall. It was built

in place of a much older church which burned down in

1624 together with a large part of the town. This church

also burned down a few years after it was built in the

¿UHRIWKHWRZQLQLWZDVKRZHYHUUHEXLOWLQLWV

original form already in 1645 [10, p. 21].

Of all the churches which existed at that time in the

county, the plan of this church was the most simple. Its

sanctuary with a three-sided end was as wide as the nave

and it had a four-sided turret with a bell. A small sacristy

was added to the side of the sanctuary. The whole church,

which was built on a base course, has a log structure. In-

VLGHLWKDGÀDWFHLOLQJV DQG WKH VDQFWXDU\ ZLWK FRYLQJ

'XHWRLWVVSHFL¿FIXQFWLRQWKHUHZHUHQROLWXUJLFDOYHVW-

ments or utensils in that church [6, p. 230].

In 1909 [15], a decision was made to move the church

WRWKHYLOODJHRI*URQRZLFH.OXF]ERUN&RXQW\ORFDWHG

in the parish of Stare Olesno and to build in its place

a new, masonry church. It was also then that the dedica-

WLRQRIWKHFKXUFKZDVFKDQJHGWR6W*LOHV7KHFKXUFK

was renovated in 1959 [23].

Unfortunately, the church does not exist anymore. It

burned down on the night of the 15

to 16

of August

1995. It was never rebuilt. A small, masonry temple was

built in its place.

There is one more church which also should be men-

tioned. Namely, the almost completely forgotten church in

the village of 6NURĔVNR. Unfortunately, this church does

not exist anymore either. It was a church dedicated to St.

Valentine and Bartholomew from around 1600 which

most probably was built under the patronage of Augustin-

ian friars. The last time the church was thoroughly reno-

vated and remodeled was in 1909–1910. On the night of

September 27

, 1999, it burned down almost completely,

most probably robbers wanted to erase their traces.

This was one of the churches which had a simple form

and shape. As all other churches it was a log structure;

it had a nave as well as a narrower and shorter sanctu-

ary with a three-sided end and a side sacristy. There was

a vestibule on the other side of the nave. The whole

church was covered with a roof with two ridge beams,

and its small tower, which had a post-and-beam struc-

ture, was fused to the nave with a pyramid roof covered

with wooden shingles. Above the nave, there was also

a hexagonal, metal sheet turret topped by a bulbous

metal sheet cupola. Inside, the church had two founder’s

towers and a simple choir with no columns. The whole

LQWHULRUKDGÀDWFHLOLQJV

The interior of the church had real treasures of art.

A Baroque high altar from the beginning of the 18

cen-

tury with the sculptures of John the Baptist, Peter and

3DXOZLWKDSDLQWLQJIURPE\0DFLHM0DG]LRURI6W

9DOHQWLQHRQWKHEDFN7KHUHZDVDUHJHQF\SXOSLWRQWKH

side. Inside the church, there were also epitaphs of the

6NURĔVNLIDPLO\±SDLQWHGRQERDUGSUHVHQWLQJ-RDFKLP

)LJ9LHZRIWKH&KXUFKRI6W0DUJDUHWLQ-DP\)LJE\DXWKRU

,O:LGRNQDNRĞFLyáĞZ0DáJRU]DW\Z-DPDFKU\FDXWRU

72 Justyna Kleszcz

$OHNVDQGHU6NURĔVNLZKRGLHGLQDVZHOODV*DEULHO

$EUDKDP DQG -DGZLJD (OHRQRUD 6NURĔVNL ZKR GLHG LQ

DVFKLOGUHQDQGWKH

FHQWXU\*RWKLFVFXOSWXUHV

RIWKH0RWKHURI*RGZLWK,QIDQW0DU\0DJGDOHQHDQG

6W +HGZLJDV ZHOODV %DURTXH VFXOSWXUHV RI HJ -RKQ

1HSRPXFHQ$SROORQLDDQGWKH0RWKHURI*RG

,QWKHLQKDELWDQWVRI6NURĔVNREXLOWDQHZPD-

VRQU\FKXUFKLQSODFHRIWKHROGRQH

Annex – Buildings listed in the register of historic monuments [26]

Summary

:KHQFRPSDULQJWKHFDWDORJVRIKLVWRULFPRQXPHQWV

RI WKH2OHVQR&RXQW\SXEOLVKHG LQGLIIHUHQW\HDUV RQH

FDQ QRWLFH D VORZ EXW JUDGXDO GLVDSSHDUDQFH RI HFFOH-

VLDVWLFDOZRRGHQEXLOGLQJV:KDWLVOHIWRIWKHPLVMXVW

SKRWRJUDSKVDQGDFFRXQWVRIWKHDXWKRUVRIFDWDORJOLVWV

7KHFDWDORJRIHistoric Monuments of Art in Poland>@

IURPOLVWVDVPDQ\DVZRRGHQFKXUFKHVWooden

Churches in Silesia>@SXEOLVKHGLQOLVWVRQO\

FKXUFKHV$WWKHHQGRIWKH

FHQWXU\RQO\RIWKHP

VWLOOH[LVWHG$WSUHVHQWLQWKDWQXPEHUGURSSHGWR

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WKHLUEHLQJ³QRQPRGHUQ´³QRQFRPPHUFLDO´RUVLPSO\

EHFDXVHRIWKHGHVLUHWRHDUQHDV\PRQH\RUEHFDXVHRI

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Annex – Buildings from 1960 per Catalog of Historic Monuments of Art in Poland [12]

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Translated by

7DGHXV]6]DáDPDFKD

The route of wooden churches in Olesno County – a sketch 73

Annex – Buildings from 1975 by J. Matuszczak [14]

1. Biskupice – Church of St. Hedwig

2. Borki Wielkie – Church of St. Martin and Bartholomew

3. Boroszów – Church of St. Mary Magdalene

4. Chocianowice – Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary

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6. Grodzisko – Church of St. Roch

7. Gronowice – Church of St. Giles

8. Jamy – Church of St. Margaret

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10. Laskowice – Church of St. Lawrence

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14. Radawie – Church of the Elevation of the Holy Cross

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16. Stare Olesno – Church of St. Mary Magdalene

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19. Wachów – Church of St. Lawrence

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References

>@$UF]\ĔVNL6.ZLHN7ĝOąVN2SROVNL6SRUWL7XU\VW\ND:DUV]DZD

1980.

>@&LFKRĔ('HG\N 0.RĞFLyáĞZ5RFKD 5R]DOLLL6HEDVWLDQD Z

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>@'LHQZLHEHO+2EHUVFKOHVLVFKH6FKURWKRO]NLUFKHQ%UHVODX

>@'REU]\FNL-.RĞFLRá\GUHZQLDQHQD*yUQ\PĝOąVNX.UDNyZ

>@.LVFKQLFN . 5RVHQEHUJ ± 2EHUVFKOLHVHQ LQDOWHQ $QVLFKWVNDUWHQ

1897–19452VQDEUXFN

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Opole 2006.

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sier” 1929.

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pp. 6–33.

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Warszawa 2008.

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6. Grodzisko – Church of St. Roch

7. Gronowice – Church of St. Giles

8. Jamy – Church of St. Margaret

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11. Laskowice – Church of St. Lawrence

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15. Radawie – Church of the Elevation of the Holy Cross

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17. Stare Olesno – Church of St. Mary Magdalene

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20. Wachów – Church of St. Lawrence

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Key words: wooden ecclesiastical architecture, protection of historic

monuments

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