Saint James church in Rozdziele, houten kerk in Polen
Saint James church in Rozdziele is a small wooden building constructed in the Gothic style, dating to the late 15th century. The structure features a narrow entrance section that widens toward a rounded altar area, flat wooden ceilings supported by beams, and a steep gabled roof covered with wooden shingles.
The church was built in the late 15th century and underwent significant expansion in the 16th century under King Zygmunt August. In the 1980s, skilled carpenters carefully dismantled and relocated the structure piece by piece from its original location in Królówka to Rozdziele, where it was faithfully reconstructed.
The church is dedicated to Saint James, whose figure appears in the main altar as the patron saint. Today it serves as a gathering place where visitors can connect with the rural religious traditions and wooden church craftsmanship that define this region.
The building sits in an open yard enclosed by a low wooden fence, making access straightforward. Visitors should approach quietly since the church remains an active place of worship and reflection, and the rural setting means coming during daylight hours provides the best experience.
A 17th-century confessional in the church was once used by Karol Wojtyla, the man who later became Pope John Paul II. This direct connection to one of the 20th century's most influential religious figures makes the space particularly meaningful for pilgrims and history enthusiasts.
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