Wooden Church of St. Lawrence in Zacharzowice

Key information

The filial Church of St. Lawrence in Zacharzowice is one of the oldest wooden churches in Upper Silesia. It stands on Wiejska Street beside an active cemetery. Its main value is the authentic, almost unchanged structure from the third quarter of the 16th century and furnishings from several periods.

History and architecture

The first reference to a parish church in Zacharzowice dates from 1447. The present church was built in the third quarter of the 16th century; dendrochronological research from 2008 confirmed the date. It was erected for the Protestant community and passed to Catholics in 1629, when it was joined with the church in nearby Sieroty. This oriented log-built church has a square nave, a narrower three-sided presbytery, a north-side sacristy and a western post-built tower. Open shingled arcades surround the nave and presbytery.

Interior and planning your visit

The interior has wooden ceilings with patronal polychromy from the 1960s. Look for the Neo-Baroque high altar from 1897 with an image of St. Lawrence, a Late Baroque side altar from before 1720, a Late Gothic triptych cabinet from 1510 and a Baroque pulpit from 1687. The church belongs to the Wooden Architecture Trail of Silesia. As a filial church it has no confirmed fixed sightseeing hours. The National Heritage Board says the interior can be viewed directly before and after Mass; confirm access before travelling. Address: Wiejska Street, 44-187 Zacharzowice, Poland. Respect the place of worship and the active cemetery.