Wooden Church in Podlesie

The wooden Church of St Giles in Podlesie near Lelów is part of the Wooden Architecture Trail of Silesian Voivodeship. It stands in a quiet village on the edge of the Kraków-Częstochowa Upland and the Włoszczowa Basin. The present church was built in 1728 through the foundation of Aleksander Tęgoborski and later substantially enlarged.

History and structure

Podlesie had an earlier church, recorded in documents from the 14th century and destroyed during the Swedish Deluge in 1657. The present building dates from the 18th century and was rebuilt or substantially altered in 1782–1787 when the earlier church proved too small. It is a log-built structure with a rectangular nave and narrower chancel. A free-standing wooden belfry from 1808 stands beside it.

What to see inside

The main feature is the Rococo high altar with a painting of St Giles among angels. Two Baroque side altars and other historic wooden fittings also survive. The present wall polychromy dates from 1960–1962, so the entire interior should not be described as 18th-century.

Visiting and contact

This is an active parish church, with no confirmed regular sightseeing hours. Before travelling, contact the parish at Podlesie 3, 42-235 Lelów, phone +48 34 355 86 55. Current listings give Sunday Masses at 9:00, 11:30 and 16:00, and weekday Mass at 18:00, or 16:30 in winter; schedules may change. There is no ticketing information. Visit outside services and respect the religious character of the site.