St. John the Evangelist's Church, Paczków, Gothic church in Paczków, Poland.
St. John the Evangelist's Church is a brick hall church modeled on Wrocław's Holy Cross Church, with a short nave, a long choir ending in a 5/10 apse, and a transept tower on the north side. Its facade is defined by tall stepped buttresses and an attic parapet. Inside, the nave has star vaults, the aisles net and star vaults from 1472, and the choir rare net vaults dated 1491.
Construction of the present church began around 1361 and was completed by about 1380, funded by Bishop Preczlaw of Pogarell; the church was consecrated in 1389. In the 16th century, during the Turkish wars, it was fortified with shield walls and an attic. The tower, completed in 1389 with a 120-meter spire, now has a 64-meter Baroque helm.
The church's name honours John the Evangelist, though the original dedication also included the Virgin Mary and John the Baptist. The 'Tatar Well' inside the southern nave recalls legends of residents drawing water and sheltering there during enemy attacks. The Baroque chapel added in 1701 was a vow to St Roch after a plague epidemic.
The church stands within Paczków's old town, a short walk from the ring road and market square. Entry is through the south porch; the round "Tatar" well sits in the southern nave, and the 64-metre tower is the landmark to aim for. As an active parish church, it is best visited outside Mass times.
The two-nave design is a defining feature of this church that sets it apart from contemporary structures in the region. This layout historically allowed more worshippers to have a clear view of the altar.
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