Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Karsibór

The Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Karsibór, a village in Wałcz municipality in Wałcz County, is a disused half-timbered church from the early 19th century, entered in the heritage register. Since 1987, when a new brick church was built next to it, the old building has been falling into ruin.

History and construction

The village was founded by the Golcs of Kłębowiec, and a church probably stood here as early as 1565; in 1629 it was served by Protestant pastors. The present half-timbered church was built in 1819, on a plinth of erratic boulders. At the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries the west wall was entirely replaced with a brick one and new windows were put in. To the hexagonal tower with a needle roof, one storey higher than the nave, the sacristy adjoins on the east; some of the walls were clad with boards.

The church was blessed as a Catholic church on 8 September 1945, and a year later a Baroque altar from the church in Wielboki was moved into it. The building was conserved in 1960, an annexe was added in 1978, and the roof was repaired around 1981.

Practical information

• Karsibór, the north-eastern part of the village, Wałcz municipality.
• The building is disused and decaying, so you should not assume that the interior is accessible; any access is arranged by the parish of St Lawrence in Rudki.
• Nearby, 0.7 km away, lies the manor park in Karsibór.