The feature belongs to a small group of timber-frame churches in the Lubuskie Voivodeship.  

History of the structure

The earliest known mention of Osiecznica, dating back to 1202, concerns the handing over of the village to the Cistercian order in Lubiąż by a castellan Wilczek. The first temple was erected there probably in the early 14th century. The present church was most likely erected in 1816. The temple design is attributed to Karl Friedrich Schinkel. It is possible that it was an attempt to design a specimen church for the timber-framing structure (German: Normalkirche). On 29 July 1947 the church was consecrated and became a filial church of the parish in Krosno Odrzańskie. A full-scale renovation was carried out, consisting in replacing window joinery (pointed-arch windows were replaced with simple, multi-section ones) and doors in the north façade. Another significant redevelopment of the temple was carried out in 1980. A new altarpiece was created at that time, plus a sacristy and a utility annex were delimited inside. In 1981 the church was designated as an independent parish. In 1992 the interior was clad in wood panelling, later new floor tiles were laid and a masonry porch was erected in front of the side entrance.

Site description

The church of St Peter and Paul Apostles is situated in the southern part of the village, on a hill on the right bank of the Odra river. The temple is oriented towards the east, set on a rectangular floor plan and its silhouette is inspired by the basilica architectural form. The middle, taller part is covered with a gable roof, while the lower, side sections are topped with mono-pitched roofs. The roof ridge above the western part features a turret. The porch, covered with a gable roof, is located at the north façade. The church has a timber frame structure filled with bricks. The walls of the aisles, in sections under cornices, feature structural reinforcements consisting of braces made in the form of the Cross of St Andrew, enriched by distinctive ornamentations. Rectangular windows feature dense, square-shaped fragmentation. The aisleless interior includes galleries running along the three walls. A post-conciliar altarpiece is found on the west side, in place of a former pulpit-shaped altar. The entire temple is clad in wooden paneling.

Visitor access. Limited access to the historic building. Viewing of the church interior is only possible by prior telephone arrangement.

Author of the note: compiled by Piotr Pachut, Regional Branch of the National Institute of Cultural Heritage in Zielona Góra, 11-08-2017

Bibliography

• Szymańska-Dereń M., Kościoły zrębowe i szkieletowe województwa lubuskiego, Zielona Góra 2009, pp. 80-82.
• Tymczyj A, Schematyzm diecezji Zielonogórsko-Gorzowskiej, Zielona Góra 1995, pp. 352-353.