St Nicholas' Church in Ślesin

The tall, sharply pointed red-brick tower is Ślesin's landmark – you can see it from the lakeside promenade and from the water of Lake Ślesin. The Church of St Nicholas the Bishop and the Good Shepherd was built in 1907–1910 in the Gothic Revival style, on the site of a Gothic church from 1604.

History

For centuries Ślesin belonged to the bishops of Poznań, and its parish has medieval roots. The Swedes burned a wooden church here in 1655; further churches followed. The present one was built in the early 20th century and consecrated in 1910. At the same time Father Jan Lagier, a community activist, worked in Ślesin and encouraged people to pave the streets – according to local tradition, children brought one stone each to school.

The interior was renewed at the end of the 20th century: the main altar, pulpit and lighting date from 1995, new wall paintings and gilding from 1997, and the stained glass from 1999.

What to see

• The front tower with its clock, pinnacles and tall spire.
• The brick façades on a stone base, with pointed windows.
• The late Baroque painting of St Nicholas from the late 18th century in a side altar – the oldest furnishing.
• The stained glass of 1999 and two side chapels.

Tripto tip

The church is on ul. Kościelna, a few minutes' walk from the market square and Napoleon's Arch. The interior is easiest to see before or after Mass. Allow 15–20 minutes, then walk down to the promenade on Lake Ślesin, where the church tower looks its best.