Church in Sułoszowa

The Church of the Sacred Heart in Sułoszowa is the third church on this site – and each of its predecessors disappeared in dramatic circumstances. The present building, with a tall tower in its façade, was designed by Stefan Szyller and Jan Sas-Zubrzycki, but neither lived to see it finished. It was consecrated on 17 November 1941, in the middle of the German occupation.

Three churches on one site

According to the medieval chronicler Jan Długosz, the parish was founded in 1315, and a church is recorded in 1325–1327. In the mid-16th century Stanisław Szafraniec, owner of Pieskowa Skała Castle and a supporter of Calvinism, turned it into a Protestant meeting house. The old church was pulled down in 1873 and a new one consecrated in 1884 – but that one burned down during the fighting of 1914.

The design for the next church dates from 1918 (some sources say 1925). Construction under parish priest Jan Danielewicz dragged on – the district dates it to 1935–1939, other sources to 1933–1939. The church was finished just before the war and consecrated by Bishop Czesław Kaczmarek of Kielce.

What to see

• An eclectic building of stone and brick, mainly in Neo-Renaissance and Baroque forms, with a tall tower in the façade.
• A three-aisled hall interior with two side chapels topped by domes with lanterns.
• A Baroque crucifix that survived from the previous church.
• Sculptural decoration by Wojciech Durek from the 1940s.
• An organ by Schlag & Söhne from around 1900 – older than the church itself.

Did you know?

The oldest church held the tombstone of Zuzanna Szafraniec from 1501, showing the deceased with the Dębno and Starykoń coats of arms. It was destroyed during the demolition of 1873; we know what it looked like thanks to a watercolour by Teodor Chrząński, painted during the first survey of historic monuments in the Kingdom of Poland. Sułoszowa itself is one of Poland's longest linear villages, stretching about 9 km along road 773.

Tripto tip

The church is an active parish church, so the easiest time to see the interior is during a service. 20–30 minutes is enough for a visit. The southern part of the village is Pieskowa Skała with its castle in Ojców National Park, and the Prądnik river rises within Sułoszowa – the church combines well with a trip down the valley.