Church of St Bartholomew the Apostle in Żuraw

St Bartholomew's Church in Żuraw in Częstochowa County is a parish church from the 15th century, built of brick and surrounded by old trees. In the 16th and early 17th centuries it served as an Arian meeting house.

From a Polish Brethren meeting house to a parish church

The church was probably built in 1440, and around 1470 it was mentioned as a structure built of stone. In 1560 it was used by the Polish Brethren, that is the Arians, and in the early 17th century it returned to the Catholics. Fires damaged it several times, so the church was extensively rebuilt. In 1885-1886 the nave was lengthened and a tower added, and the consecration took place in 1895. The roof and the spire of the tower were destroyed during the First World War, and in the 20th century chapels and a porch were added.

Architecture and interior

It is a single-nave church on a cross plan, orientated, built of brick, with a two-storey tower on the west side. The elevations have pilaster strips and moulded cornices. The chancel is covered with a barrel vault, and a Baroque crucifix hangs in the chancel arch.

The high altar is Mannerist, from about 1620-1630, heavily altered in the 19th century. In the side altars stand late Baroque sculptures of the four Evangelists. The altar in the south chapel comes from the cemetery chapel of St Barbara. In the church a Baroque font of black marble and two epitaphs, from 1764 and 1820, have survived.

The area around the church

By the church stands the Classicist tomb of Teodor Gumkowski, who died in 1829, in the form of an obelisk on a plinth. Around it grow old trees, including a lime and an elm recognised as natural monuments. Not far away, about three hundred metres from here, is the manor house in Żuraw.

Practical information

• Address: Kościelna 9, Żuraw (Janów municipality).
• The church is in use as a parish church, so during services limit your visit to a quiet entrance.
• You can find out the rules of entry outside services from the parish.