Church of St Maximilian Maria Kolbe in Stolec

The Church of St Maximilian Maria Kolbe in Stolec is a former Evangelical church, today a branch of the parish in Bukowo. The baroque building was erected in 1731-1735 at the foundation of Jürgen Berndt von Ramin, on the site of a 15th-century church pulled down at the beginning of the 18th century.

A hall body and a half-timbered tower

The brick, plastered church is a hall without a separate chancel, measuring 24 by 12.5 m. In the western part of the body is set a half-timbered tower, originally with a double helmet with two lanterns. On both sides of it are crypts, the northern of which was built of stones from the previous church. At the corners rusticated pilaster strips can be seen, and the windows are closed with a segmental arch.

Destruction after 1945 and rebuilding

The earlier furnishings included a pulpit altar of 1735, silver chalices and three bells. In 1945 the church was damaged, and then fell into ruin. Of the furnishings two candlesticks and an epitaph of 1668 survived, which in 1973 went to the National Museum in Szczecin. Two sculptures of cherubim and curtains from the altar were handed over to Szczecin Cathedral. In 1981 the helmet of the tower, which was in poor condition, was taken down and the interior renovated, and in 1982 the church was consecrated for Catholics.

The cemetery by the church

Around it stands a former cemetery behind a stone wall, with a baroque gate in the south-east corner. On it a neoclassical monument to Jürgen Berndt von Ramin (died 1792) has survived, with a portrait in a laurel wreath, a weeping angel and a putto. Lime, oak, ash and beech trees grow here.

Practical information

• Village: Stolec, Dobra municipality. The church is entered in the heritage register.
• Right next door, about 300 m away, stands the palace in Stolec.
• Service times and opening hours are given by the parish in Bukowo.