Church of Our Lady Mother of the Church in Żelisławiec

The Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary Mother of the Church in Żelisławiec was built of granite ashlar in the second half of the 13th century. After the Second World War it fell into ruin, but in 1977 it was rebuilt and today serves as a filial church of the parish of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus in Gardno.

Medieval form

It is a hall building on a rectangular plan, with a gable roof and a profiled plinth running around the walls. In the south elevation there is a portal with two stepped reveals. In the side walls there are three windows each, formerly pointed-arch, later rebuilt as rectangular. In the east elevation a large Gothic window has survived, divided by brick mullions into three parts. Above it can be seen a decoration in the form of a blind arcade in the shape of an equal-armed cross, set between four smaller pointed blind arcades. The smaller window in the north wall, at the height of the chancel, is presumably a trace of a passage to a former sacristy.

Tower, interior and cemetery

The tower on the west side was added in the 19th century. Inside there is a wooden gallery with stairs leading to the tower, and the historic furnishings have not survived. The church adjoins a cemetery surrounded by a stone wall with two gates and a wicket.

Ruin and rebuilding

After the war the building fell into ruin. It was rebuilt in 1977, and on 11 May of that year the church was consecrated by Bishop Jerzy Stroba. The addition “dec. ruina” (ruin) in the name in the registers is therefore out of date: the church stands rebuilt and is in use.

Practical information

• Address: Żelisławiec, Binowska Street, Stare Czarnowo municipality, Gryfino County.
• Nearest, about 1 km away, stands the church in Kartno.
• Service times and the possibility of entering the interior should be checked with the parish.