St Andrew the Apostle's Church in Gilowice

The wooden church in Gilowice in Żywiec County was originally built in neighbouring Rychwałd and only in the 18th century was moved to its present site. It is a monument entered in the heritage register, and also part of the Wooden Architecture Trail of the Silesian Voivodeship.

From Rychwałd to Gilowice

The exact date of construction of the church is not known. The parish church in Rychwałd was already mentioned by Jan Długosz in the 1470s, and the consecration of the Rychwałd church took place in 1547. In 1641 the Żywiec carpenter Jerzy Wiśnicki added a tower. When a new brick church was built in Rychwałd in 1757, the wooden church was moved to Gilowice, and the old Gilowice chapel was demolished. Its timber was used to build the Chapel of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Rychwałd. Its brick successor can be seen in the nearby basilica in Rychwałd.

Construction and interior

The church is oriented, single-nave and of log construction. Adjoining the chancel, which is closed on three sides of an octagon, are a sacristy on the north side and the Chapel of the Sacred Heart on the south. The shingle roof is topped with a hexagonal turret with an onion dome, and at the west stands a square post-frame tower with an overhanging upper storey. Open soboty (galleries) run around the church. In 1895 false vaults were made in the nave and chancel, and in 1933-1934 the nave was extended and a chapel was added.

The interior has a Baroque character, with furnishings mainly Baroque and Neoclassical. The most valuable item is a wooden statuette of the Virgin and Child from the third quarter of the 14th century, a monument of Gothic sculpture.

Practical information

• Address: ul. Krakowska, Gilowice (Żywiec County).
• It is an active parish church, and the interior can be visited outside services. Check the rules of entry and contact details on the parish website.
• Nearby: Żywiec Ethnographic Park in Ślemień.