Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Zebrzydowice

A Baroque parish church in Zebrzydowice, built in 1774-1776 on the site of an older church. It preserves a Gothic chancel from 1616 and is entered in the heritage register.

From a wooden church to the Baroque

In the Middle Ages a wooden church with a parish stood here, which Protestants took over at the end of the 16th century. In 1616 rebuilding in brick was begun, but only the Gothic chancel, funded by the Protestant nobleman Propok, was completed. The church returned to Catholics on 5 April 1654. A fire on 27 November 1751 destroyed the church, which was rebuilt only partially. The present, late Baroque church was built in 1774-1776 thanks to funds from the former parish priest Andrzej Piguła, and the chancel of 1616 was incorporated into the new layout. It was consecrated on 25 August 1776 by Philipp Gotthard von Schaffgotsch, Bishop of Wrocław. In 1855 a new, taller tower was built in place of the one destroyed in the fire.

Layout and furnishings

The two-bay chancel is closed on three sides; a sacristy with a gallery on the upper floor adjoins it on the north. The nave has three bays and is wider and taller than the chancel. On the south a chapel known as the Kisiel Chapel was added, beneath which lies an inaccessible crypt. The late Baroque high altar from the 18th century holds a painting of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Renaissance epitaphs from the second half of the 16th century have been preserved in the church, including that of Jerzy Liszka and his wife Anna, as well as a Baroque font in the Kisiel Chapel. Two stained-glass windows in the chancel were made in 1963 at the S.G. Żeleński Stained Glass Works in Kraków to a design by Adam Bunsch.

Nearby

Right next door stands the Palace in Zebrzydowice, and in neighbouring Kończyce Małe the castle.

Practical information

• Address: Księdza Antoniego Janusza 13, Zebrzydowice.
• The church is active, and information on access to the interior is given by the parish on its website.