The feature was designed as a Classicist temple by Gustav Cardinal von Widdern. Karl Friedrich Schinkel introduced amendments to the design.

History of the structure

Built in years 1828-1833, it was erected to replace an older Evangelical chapel from 1609. The church was destroyed in the town fire of 1666. In that same year, with the assistance of Evangelicals from Torun, Gdansk and Leipzig as well as local townspeople, it was rebuilt. After subsequent fires the temple was reconstructed in 1733 and, for the last time - owing to the help of Wilhelm III and private donations, in the years 1828-1833.  Gustav Cardinal von Widdern prepared the design of the church. Karl Friedrich Schinkel gave the building its final form. After the introduced amendments, the designed temple obtained features of a “typical church”. Consecration of the temple took place in 1834, on Wilhelm III birthday.  After 1945 the temple was taken over by the Catholic Church, it obtained a patron in the person of St Adalbert and functioned under the supervision of the parish of St John the Baptist in Międzyrzecz. In 1978 the church attained the status of a parish church.  

Site description

The Classicist church of St Adalbert is incorporated in the north market frontage, but is slightly receded vis-à-vis the line of the frontage. It is an aisleless temple, set on a rectangular floor plan and features a separate internal apse. On the axis of the building, on the south side, a quadrangular tower was added. It is covered with an obelisk cupola topped with a sphere supporting a cross. The three-axial front façade is crowned with a massive triangular tympanum. The double-stacked arcade features entrances and windows illuminating the interior. The motif of a stacked arcade is repeated in the church tower. The façades are articulated with crowning and inter-storey cornices. Inside, rhythmically ordered fluted pillars draw attention to the altar, which features a copy of the “Ascension of Christ” painting. The temple includes flat ceilings; only the apse features a semi-circular faux coffered ceiling.  Stairwells leading to galleries are added on the sides of the bell tower. 

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, 31-08-2017

Bibliography

• Zabytki północnej części województwa lubuskiego, Lewczuk J., Skaziński B. (eds.) Zielona Góra-Gorzów Wlkp. 2004, pp. 92-93.
• Opaska J.,  Projekty typowe, Karl Friedricha Schinkla i świątynie ewangelickie w Międzyrzeczu, Gliśnie i Rogozińcu,  [in:] Ziemia międzyrzecka. Śladami historii, Międzyrzecz 2006, pp. 245-265.