History

The parish in Lututów was established in 1406 by the archbishop of Gniezno, Mikołaj Kurowski. The present-day church (the fourth on this site and the first made of brick) was built between 1910 and 1917. It was designed by Jarosław Wojciechowski - an architect and a conservator-restorer. The church was consecrated in 1927. During the Second World War, the Nazis used the church as a prison for Jews and then as a grain warehouse. They also stored weapons there.

Description

The temple is situated in the centre of the village. It is oriented. The church area is surrounded by a low, contemporary iron fence set on a foundation.

Romanesque Revival.

The church was built on a plan resembling the Latin cross, but the spaces between the transept and the chancel are filled with semicircular annexes (the chapel and the sacristy). It is three-nave and four-bay. The church is not cellared. From the west, the principal block is adjoined by a three-part porch. From the east, it is flanked by two small chapels. The chancel is terminated by an apse with an ambulatory. On the sides of the church porch there are: a circular staircase, placed in a tower on a square plan, and a chapel with a similar floor plan. The temple has the form of a pseudo basilica. The chancel is lower than the principal block. The towers in the façade differ with their height (5 and 6 storeys). 

The church was built from ceramic bricks laid with lime mortar. The walls are plastered inside. Brick net vaults were used in the nave and in the chancel, rib vaults in the aisles, and stellar ones in the chapels. The wooden roof truss was assembled using straining beams and purlins. The roofs (mostly gable and conical) are clad with galvanized sheet metal.

The elevations are not plastered. All openings in the elevations have a semicircular top. The western elevation serves as the façade. It is preceded by an arcaded, five-span portico, covered with a shed roof. From the south, it is adjoined by a low, circular turret. Above the portico, there is a square decorative panel containing a rosette with an image of the Virgin Mary. In the next storey, there are three narrow window openings. The one in the middle is the highest. The central part of the façade is crowned with a triangular gable decorated with an arcaded frieze. Such ornamentation is also used on particular storeys of the towers that form the side parts of the façade. The northern tower is taller. Its last, octagonal storey is covered with a cupola. On its fourth storey, there is a clock. The highest, circular part of the southern tower is covered with a dome roof. The southern and northern elevations are also embellished with arcaded friezes. They are divided into three storeys by friezes, while particular spans are delimited by pilaster strips. On each of the surfaces between the pilaster strips, in the second storey, there are three windows surrounded by arcaded panels, with the central of the three windows being the highest. In the top storey above each treble window, there is one small window. Behind the nave, there are towers on a square floor plan, covered with four-hipped roofs. The walls of the semicircular elements of the eastern elevation are pierced by numerous window openings placed in arcaded panels.

The naves are separated by massive brick pillars supporting the arcades. The walls of the chancel are covered with paintings by an unknown author showing scenes from the life of the apostles Peter and Paul

The most valuable item of the fixtures and fittings is the 17th-century painting depicting Our Lady of Lututów with the Child, which is considered to have miraculous powers. It is placed in the 18th-century Baroque side altar. There is also a 17th century painting with a scene of the Crucifixion. Other noteworthy features include the epitaph with a cannonball dedicated to the Biernacki family (under the choir gallery). Most of the fixtures and fittings come from the period of the construction of the temple (organ, altar, pulpit).

The church can be viewed from outside without restrictions. It can be visited inside before and after church services or upon prior arrangement with the parish priest.

Compiled by Anna Michalska, Regional Branch of the National Institute of Cultural Heritage in Łódź.4 May 2020

Bibliography

• Olejnik T., Lututów i jego dzieje, Wieluń 2003
• Stefański K., record sheet of the immovable monument, Roman-Catholic Church of the Apostles Peter and Paul in Lututów, 1992