History

Kokoszkowy were located on a historic transport route from Gdańsk to Starogard Gdański (Grzymisław Route). Although the parish was founded in the times of the Teutonic Knights (after 1308), it was usually associated with the previous owners of Starogard and the surrounding area (Johannites). The church was erected around the mid-14th century; in 1587-1597, it was temporarily ruled by Lutherans; between 1653 and 1827 the parish was administered by the Dominicans of Tczew. The church underwent extensive renovations in the late 19th c., 1912-1913, and 1990s.

Description

The free-standing structure is oriented and located in the western part of the village, surrounded by a fenced graveyard (stone wall with brick gate posts). The Gothic church has one nave and was built on the floor plan in the shape of two rectangle (with dimensions approximating the shape of a square); the chancel is lower and features a sacristy to the north; a square porch adjoins the nave to the south; the tower was erected on a square plan and incorporated into the main body. The two-partite body is enclosed by buttresses and features a tower to the west. The chancel and the nave are covered with gable roofs; the tower is topped by an octagonal pyramid dome with a pinnacle. The chancel is lower than the nave and surmounted by a decorative gable to the east; the nave body features a wooden tower projecting beyond the roof ridge. The walls are built of fieldstone with additions made using the brick wall (such as both gables, door openings, window surrounds, wall crown). The tower is a wooden structure covered with weatherboards. The sacristy boasts the preserved pointed-arch barrel vault; the nave is covered with a flat ceiling; and the chancel is topped with a wooden barrel vault. The roofs of the church and annexes are clad with S-shaped roof tiles, and the tower roof with a copper sheet metal. All façades are fitted with massive buttresses. The stone and irregular face of the walls contrasts with the brick surrounds of the window openings (south façade). The east façade is topped by a five-axial gable decorated with pointed-arch blind windows and ornamental gables with a circular openwork section; the west façade is covered with weatherboards. The tower is incorporated into the wall face. A low rood arch clearly separates two spheres of the small interior. The entire structure is characterised by an uneven plastered surface of the walls, painted ceilings of the nave (a border with floral motifs), and the exposed fragment of a medieval wall painting on the eastern wall of the chancel. The moveable interior furnishings mostly date back to the 18th century (main altar, two side altars, two procession floats, baptismal font).

The monument is open to visitors. Viewing of the church is only possible before and after services.

compiled by Krystyna Babnis, Regional Branch of the National Heritage Board of Poland in Gdańsk, 06-10-2014.

Bibliography

• Diecezja chełmińska. Zarys historyczno-statystyczny, Pelplin 1927, s. 562
• Karta ewidencyjna. Kokoszkowy. Kościół par. św. Barbary, oprac. Krystyna Babnis, Justyna Czyszek, Gdańsk 1990, Archiwum OT NID w Gdańsku