St Michael the Archangel's Church in Niemica

St Michael the Archangel's Church stands in Niemica in Golczewo municipality. Today it is a filial church of the parish of Christ the King in Kozielice, and until 1945 it served Protestants. It was entered in the heritage register in 1963.

From a church of 1564 to a building of 1795

The earliest mention refers to a foundation in 1564, in which the von Flemming-Schnatow and von Steinwehr families took part. In 1647 construction of the tower was completed, as recorded in the chronicle and in an inscription on it. In 1780 a design for a new church was drawn up by David Gilly, but construction was interrupted when the old timber-frame building collapsed in 1784. The new church was completed in 1795 and was rebuilt in 1848.

The church's history also includes losses. In 1920 the north gallery collapsed together with the vaulted tomb beneath it, and the massive dome of the Kopplin choir on the north side was demolished. In the late 1930s the tower was renovated. As a Catholic church it was consecrated on 29 September 1946.

The building and interior

The church is of timber-frame construction with brick infill, that is Fachwerk, and has a rectangular plan. By the west façade stands a tower, square in plan, with a pyramidal spire, built of wood and weatherboarded. The roof is a gable roof, broken above the east gable. Nineteenth-century stained glass has survived in the windows, and the interior is covered by a beamed ceiling.

In the chancel, on a small raised platform with a balustrade, stand a wooden altar table and a lectern. A painting of the crucified Christ hangs there, and beside it a wooden tabernacle decorated with gold and a painting of Our Lady of Częstochowa. On the right is a painting of St Michael the Archangel with a sword. The interior is distinguished by a stone font and a metal crucifix. A cemetery surrounds the church.

Nearby

In Golczewo municipality, a few kilometres from Niemica, stands the Castle Tower in Golczewo, and the Palace in Gadomie is also close by.

Practical information

• Village: Niemica, Golczewo municipality, Kamień County.
• A filial church of the parish in Kozielice; the parish gives information on service times and on access to the interior.