Church of St Joseph the Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Dziwnów

The Church of St Joseph the Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Dziwnów is a church of 1977 whose shape refers to a boat. It refers to the symbolism of the Church and to the work of the fishermen, who make up a large part of the parish.

History

The first church in Dziwnów was built at the end of the 19th century. Destroyed during the Second World War, it was pulled down in the 1950s. After 1945 services were held in the sea rescue station. In the 1970s construction of a new church began on the site of the former one, to a design by Eng. Otto Odon; the parish was established on 25 April 1973, and the church was consecrated on 28 August 1977 by Bishop Jerzy Stroba.

Mosaics and sgraffito by Kazimierz Bieńkowski

It is a hall church with a rectangular chancel and windows of square and rectangular shapes, filled with stained glass. In the chancel there is a mosaic with the Holy Family, and beneath it a gold-and-silver tabernacle. The Stations of the Cross opposite the choir have 14 stations made in the sgraffito technique and are topped with a mosaic of the Resurrection. The author of the mosaics and sgraffito is Kazimierz Bieńkowski. In the side altar stands a wooden cross with sculptures of Our Lady of Sorrows and St John, and next to it figures of Our Lady of Fatima and St Joseph.

Practical information

• Location: Dziwnów, Kamień Pomorski deanery.
• The church is in use: check the service times with the parish.
• Dziwnów also has a drawbridge, and in neighbouring Dziwnówek the Church of St Maximilian Maria Kolbe.