St John the Baptist's Church in Pawłowice

St John the Baptist's Church in Pawłowice is a brick parish church from the end of the 16th century, entered in the heritage register. The brick Gothic building stands on ulica Zjednoczenia and is one of the oldest monuments in the village.

From a wooden church to a brick one

It is assumed that the first, wooden church stood here between the 13th and 14th centuries and was pulled down in 1611, with its elements moved to Golasowice. The present building was erected through the efforts of Stanisław Pawłowski, Bishop of Olomouc, who came from Pawłowice. The work was completed in 1596, and the consecration took place only a hundred years later, in 1696.

Destruction of 1945

In March 1945 a retreating German unit blew up the church. The chancel survived with its 16th-century polychrome, which shows the founders: the Duke of Cieszyn Adam Wenceslaus and Bishop Pawłowski. The church was rebuilt in 1945-1946, but without the tower, which was added only in 1993. The painting in the high altar, depicting the baptism of Jesus, was painted by the Pawłowice artist Wiktor Barczyński.

Practical information

• Address: ulica Zjednoczenia 52, Pawłowice.
• It is an active parish church, so visiting the interior depends on the parish schedule. Check the dates with the parish before your visit.
• Nearby: the church in Krzyżowice and the church in Studzionka.