Church of Divine Providence in Jaworze

The Church of Divine Providence in Jaworze is a Classicist church from the early 19th century, extended in the following decades. It is decorated with a dome echoing the Italian Renaissance, and beside the church an old cemetery with gravestones of former noble families has survived.

From a wooden chapel to a brick church

A wooden church probably stood here as early as 1447, but at the end of the 18th century it was in very poor condition. In 1802 Arnold, Baron Saint-Genois d'Anneaucourt, then owner of the village, commissioned the mason Englisch to build it. The work was completed in 1803, and the church was blessed a year later. In the porch hangs a plaque with the founder's coat of arms.

In 1880 an extension fund was set up, because the number of parishioners and of tourists coming to the spa was growing. The extension was designed by the Bielsko builder Emanuel Rost and was completed in 1886. In 1933-1934 a transept and a dome were added, and the dome's columns divide the interior into three naves.

Furnishings and cemetery

The historic furnishings include a late Baroque tabernacle, two Classicist side altars, an organ and a bell from 1644. In the church hangs a painting of Our Lady of Berdychiv from 1806, painted by Jan Ignowski of Żywiec. The stained-glass windows show Saints Henry II and Barbara.

In the old cemetery by the church stand a commemorative obelisk and a dozen or so stone gravestones. Members of the families Saint Genois d'Anneacourt, Rudzki of Kiczyce, Bludowski of Błędowice, Centner of Centental and Laszowski of Laszów are buried here.

Nearby

Close by, about 1.2 km away, is the Museum of Marine and Inland Fauna and Flora in Jaworze. Within a few kilometres lies also Szyndzielnia.

Practical information

• Address: Aleja Kościelna 1, Jaworze.
• The church is in use as a parish church, so access to the interior depends on parish life.