Church of St Catherine in Marcinkowice

The Church of St Catherine in Marcinkowice, in Tuczno municipality, is a brick parish church from the early 17th century, entered in the heritage register. In an area where for centuries building was mainly in timber and half-timbering, it was one of the few brick-built sacral buildings between the Drawa and the Gwda.

History

The first mentions of a church in the village date from the 14th century. After a period when the church was occupied by Protestants, a Catholic parish priest was installed here in 1596. From 1607 it was served by the Jesuits from Tuczno. The present church was completed in 1627 in the late Gothic style, and the founder was Andrzej Tuczyński of Tuczno. The building was later rebuilt in the Renaissance spirit. The heritage register dates the church to the turn of the 16th and 17th centuries, and the monuments map gives the year 1628, so both dates can be found in other descriptions.

In the crypt local landowners were buried, among them members of the Golc family. The entrance to the crypts was concreted over after 1945.

Architecture and furnishings

The chancel is closed on three sides, the walls are supported by buttresses, and the interior is covered by rib vaults. The main altar is wooden, carved, and at its top stands a figure of the patron saint, St Catherine. In the picture field is the Coronation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, attributed to the Gdańsk painter Herman Han, surrounded by columns with a vine motif and gilded lily flowers. The painting probably came to the church around 1627-1628. The two smaller altars are also historic. Twelve cannonballs from the fighting at Malbork are set into the wall, arranged in a cross.

Nearby

Not far away lies, among others, the Church of St James the Apostle in Bronikowo.

Practical information

• Location: Marcinkowice, Tuczno municipality, Wałcz County.
• Service times and visiting hours for the interior are given by the parish of St Catherine.