Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross on Kubalonka

The Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross on Kubalonka in Istebna is a wooden church from 1779. It was built in Upper Silesia near Gliwice, and in 1957 it was dismantled and moved to the Beskids.

How the church came to Istebna

The church was built in 1779 for the parish in Przyszowice near Gliwice, where it was a cemetery church. In 1945 it was damaged by artillery shells, and in 1947-1949 the faithful rebuilt it. In 1957 the church was dismantled and moved to Kubalonka, and it was brought into use in 1958. Today it is the church of the parish of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross in Istebna and stands in the Kubalonka settlement, below the pass of the same name.

The wooden structure and interior

The church is wooden, of log construction, single-nave and towerless, with the chancel facing north. It is covered by a gable shingle roof with a Baroque turret on the ridge, and a wooden porch stands at the front. Inside there is a Baroque main altar from 1779 and a Baroque pulpit from 1697 with bas-reliefs of the four evangelists. Pews from the 17th century and Stations of the Cross from the 19th century have also survived.

Protection of the monument

The church is entered in the register of immovable monuments, and the latest entry dates from 2022. In Istebna there are also the Church of Our Lady of Fátima and the Jerzy Kukuczka Memorial Room.

Practical information

• Address: Istebna 1100a, Kubalonka settlement.
• The church is in use as a parish church, so visiting the interior depends on services. The current Mass schedule can be found on the parish website kubalonka.diecezjabielsko.pl.