Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross in Malnia

The rood beam of the wooden church in Malnia still bears the German words "Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott" ("A mighty fortress is our God"), the opening line of Martin Luther's famous hymn. It is a reminder that the church was built for a Protestant congregation in Kostów near Kluczbork, before it was taken apart and rebuilt on the roof of a Catholic church by the Oder. The two-level complex in Malnia, in the Gogolin municipality, is one of the most unusual churches in the Opole region: a modern lower Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross below, and the historic church of St Francis on top.

The church from Kostów

The upper church was built in 1801–1804 in the village of Kostów as a Protestant church funded by Baron Antoni von Strachwitz. It was the youngest of a group of wooden former Protestant churches in that area. In 1976–1978 it was dismantled and reconstructed in Malnia under the supervision of the regional heritage conservator. Little original timber came from Kostów, and much of it was badly decayed, so the church was rebuilt according to the surviving plans. The project was led by the parish priest, Monsignor Franciszek Dusza.

Two churches, one above the other

The decision to build a church in Malnia was taken in 1957. The lower Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, largely set into the slope, was consecrated on 15 October 1978 by Alfons Nossol, Bishop of Opole. Its reinforced-concrete structure carries the entire upper church, and daylight enters through side light wells with skylights and stained-glass windows. The two levels have no internal connection: outside steps lead up to the terrace in front of the wooden church. A mission cross was erected there in 1979, and the parish was established on 1 August 1981.

What to look out for

• The rood beam with the line from Luther's hymn and a Crucifixion group.
• Log walls joined with interlocking corner notches and left exposed outside, plus a shingle roof and a turret with an onion-shaped cap and lantern.
• Galleries and the organ loft on wooden posts, with a wavy balustrade.
• The view from the north: from this side you see best how the lower church acts like a plinth for the wooden one.

Blessed Józef Cebula

Father Józef Cebula, a Missionary Oblate of Mary Immaculate, was born in Malnia on 23 March 1902. He was killed on 28 April 1941 in the German concentration camp of Mauthausen-Gusen, and on 13 June 1999 Pope John Paul II beatified him. The parish keeps his memory alive.

Tripto tip

The church stands on a rise in the southern part of the village, about 500 m from the A4 motorway bridge over the Oder, so it is easy to find. It is a working parish church, so visit the interiors before or after Mass, and ask the parish about opening the wooden church outside service times. Allow 30–45 minutes for both levels and a walk around.