St James's Church, Człuchów

Człuchów's parish church has an unusual shape because in 1926 it was turned through 90 degrees. A new nave was built at right angles to the Baroque church of 1647, and the old nave became a transept. Inside, Baroque furnishings from the 17th and 18th centuries survive, and the tower holds a bell from 1522.

History

The first mention of a church here dates from 1209 – a wooden church built under the dukes of Pomerania. From 1550 to 1603 it belonged to the Protestants. The brick church was funded by the starost Jakub Wejher and built in 1644–1647. A tower was added in the early 18th century.

In 1926–1927 the church was rebuilt to plans by Fenner, a Człuchów master builder. The new nave was placed at right angles to the existing church, so the axis, originally pointing east, now runs north–south. The walls were raised by 4 metres and the tower from 25 to 38.5 metres. Two stained-glass windows by Theo Landmann were made at the same time: the Baptism of Christ and Christ the King.

What to look for

• The entrance from Wejhera Street under a vaulted porch, with the Latin inscription "Pax Christi in regno Christi" and a statue of St James in a niche.
• The chancel arch marking the boundary between the old church and the 1926 nave.
• Richly decorated wooden ceilings over the three aisles.
• Baroque side altars from around 1660 – St James and Christ Crucified – and a Renaissance patron's pew in the chancel.
• The pulpit with figures of the four evangelists, a Baroque confessional and a font whose lid is topped by a figure.
• Two coffin portraits and the Baroque tower cupola with a clock.

Did you know?

The bell of 1522 is more than a century older than the brick church. In 1964 parish priest Antoni Wołek Wacławski acquired an image of Our Lady of Jasna Góra for the church and started restoring its historic furnishings.

Tripto tip

The church stands at the north-west corner of the market square, a few hundred metres from the ruins of the Teutonic castle with the Regional Museum. Twenty to thirty minutes is enough for the interior; it is easiest to get in before or after services. To appreciate the unusual outline with the tower, walk round the church from the market square side. Afterwards, walk to the Louise Wood park by the lake.