Church of the Finding of the Holy Cross in Wisła

The Church of the Finding of the Holy Cross in Wisła is a timber and reinforced-concrete parish church in Wisła-Głębce, on the slope of Kozińce mountain. It was built in 1981-1983, and its oldest part is a tower erected in 1575 for another church, in Połomia in Wodzisław County.

Where the tower came from

The wooden Church of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Połomia was built in 1575 on the site of a burnt predecessor, mentioned in 1447. In 1969 the church collapsed in a gale and only the tower, previously renovated, survived. The tower was dismantled in 1979.

At that time the authorities made it difficult to build new churches, and one possibility was to relocate disused buildings. This route was used in Wisła. A church was built to designs by the Kraków architects Marek Cempla and Piotr Wzorek, next to which the relocated tower was placed. It was consecrated on 12 June 1983, and has been a parish church since 29 April 1984. It was intended to serve mainly local residents as well as summer campers and holidaymakers.

What the church looks like

The reconstructed tower is 30.5 m high and has a post-and-frame structure. It is crowned by a pyramidal shingle roof, beneath which is a belfry storey. A modern reinforced-concrete nave adjoins the tower, with no structurally separate chancel. Its shape and layout refer to a highlander's shepherd's hut, and it has a wide gable roof with two ridges, also covered with shingles.

Interior

The interior is furnished in a contemporary style. Part of the carved furnishings comes from the workshop of the Koniaków artist Jan Krężelok, including the Stations of the Cross and a large sculpture of Christ Crucified on the main altar. The side altars of Our Lady of Fatima and Merciful Jesus were made by Paweł Jałowiczor of Istebna. The altars contain relics of the Fatima children saints as well as of St John Paul II and St Faustina, complemented by stained glass with figures of the Fatima children and John Paul II.

Trail and surroundings

The church lies on the Wooden Architecture Trail of the Silesian Voivodeship, in the Beskid loop. Nearby, about 1.4 km away, is the Nowa Osada Ski Resort.

About 2.3 km from the church is the Adam Małysz Sports Trophies gallery, and the trail point PTTK mountain hut on Stożek is less than 5 km away.

Practical information

• Location: Wisła-Głębce, slope of Kozińce mountain, Cieszyn County.
• Check service times and the possibility of visiting the interior with the parish.