Wooden Church of St Joseph in Baborów

The weathervane on the turret is cut with the date "1700" – the year building began. The wooden cemetery church of St Joseph in Baborów (listed in some heritage registers as the church of St Joseph and St Barbara) was built in 1700–1702 on the unusual plan of a Greek cross, with four equal arms. Inside, early 18th-century Baroque paintings survive, including the martyrdom of St Barbara and the Virgin handing out scapulars against the backdrop of Mount Carmel.

History

The church was funded by the parish priest of Baborów, Father Szymon Piotr Motłoch, and the timber was donated by Katharina von Larisch. The shingle roof was replaced with slate in 1802 and 1890, major repairs were carried out in 1912, 1920 and 1995–1996, and further work took place in 2023. Since 1946 the church has been in the care of the Carmelite friars. It is a chapel of ease of the parish of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary and stands in the historic cemetery on ul. Kościuszki.

Architecture

The church has log walls on a masonry base and – unlike most old churches – is not oriented, meaning its chancel does not face east. The arms of the cross are formed by two chapels, of the Angels and of Our Lady of the Scapular. The three-sided chancel has a sacristy with a patron's gallery above it, and there is a porch at the front. The small bell turret with its onion dome and lantern was moved from the crossing to the front of the roof.

What to look for inside

• Early 18th-century wall paintings, attributed to a painter named Krauze: St Joseph with the Christ Child and angels in the chancel; St Michael the Archangel, a Guardian Angel with a pilgrim, Our Lady of the Scapular and the martyrdom of St Barbara in the nave, with cherubs holding tablets of quotations between them.
• Baroque furnishings: the high altar and four side altars, a painted pulpit, sculptures and paintings, 14 Stations of the Cross and a wooden chandelier.
• The organ case from about 1800 on a choir loft resting on two posts.
• The building date above the door and the false barrel vault over the nave.

Tripto tip

The church is in regular use and has no fixed visiting hours – the easiest way to see the interior is to come for a service or contact the parish or the Carmelites in advance. You can view the outside freely; the best view of the building and its turret is from the cemetery gate. Admission is free. Allow 20–30 minutes. Remember this is a working cemetery, so please keep quiet. Baborów lies in the Głubczyce area on the road from Głubczyce to Racibórz; in town, the parish church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary and the town hall are also worth a look.