History

The Landsberger Hollaender settlement, founded in 1686 and initially composed of three holdings, was a precursor of present-day Chwałowice. A more dynamic development of the village took place only in the second half of the 18th century, in the period of colonisation of the land located along the Warta river, administered by the Prussian king, Friedrich II. 395 persons lived in the village already in 1784. The church was built in 1790 as an Evangelical temple. At first, it belonged to the parish in Deszczno, while from the early 19th century to 1945 it functioned as an independent parish. After World War II, the church was taken over by the Catholics and consecrated on 13 June 1946. At that time the interiors were remodelled: side galleries and a valley of the pulpit-shaped altar were removed, plus the ceiling was clad in boards. In the early 21st century a major refurbishment was carried out, during which, among others, the organ gallery was renovated and the main altar and the baptismal font were subject to conservation works. 

Description

Chwałowice is a village with a dispersed settlement development, characteristic for waterlogged floodplains. The church is situated on a small, artificial elevation. To the west, there is a cemetery and a free-standing bell tower, located in place of a former wooden one. The church is oriented towards the east, has a timber-frame structure set on a floor plan resembling that of a square and featuring a porch on the south side. A tall hip roof stretches over the main body, while the roof over the porch is of a gable type. The interior is covered with a beamed ceiling. A gallery on the west side, with a Gothic Revival pipe organ casing from the second half of the 19th century, and a Late Baroque altar (of the pulpit type) have survived. 

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

compiled by Anna Jackiewicz, Regional Branch of the National Institute of Cultural Heritage in Zielona Góra.13.12.2017

Bibliography 

• Bujanowski Z. (ed.), Jenin, Lubczyno, Chwałowice na przestrzeni wieków, Jenin 2012, pp. 123-126.
• Szymańska-Dereń M., Kościoły zrębowe i szkieletowe województwa lubuskiego, Zielona Góra 2009, pp. 22-24.
• Wnuk K. (ed.), Kościoły Diecezji Zielonogórsko-Gorzowskiej. Nasze dziedzictwo, vol. 1, 2007, p. 160.