Christ the Good Shepherd Church in Krościenko nad Dunajcem

The Parish Church of Christ the Good Shepherd in Krościenko nad Dunajcem is a monumental structure with a usable area of 1,200 m², built between 1982 and 1998 according to the design of engineer and architect Antoni Mazur. Its architecture is inspired by the highest peak of the Pieniny Mountains – Trzy Korony (Three Crowns) – which gives it a distinctive silhouette. The church has two levels, with a spacious interior that includes a presbytery, a main nave, a side chapel, and a two-level choir loft. In the altar area, a monumental gate and a statue of Christ the Good Shepherd are placed, while the decorative altar and pulpit are made of white marble. The stained-glass window depicting the Good Shepherd, designed by Professor Andrzej Ziębiński, and the bronze baptismal font by Professor Wincenty Kućma further enhance the artistic value of the interior. The lower church serves cultural functions, featuring an event hall and the sarcophagus of Father Franciszek Blachnicki, the founder of the Light-Life Movement, as well as a 17th-century Stations of the Cross. The tall tower (64 m) is equipped with three bells, including the largest one dedicated to John Paul II. The history of the church's construction is long and full of twists and turns, beginning over 100 years ago, with discussions about a new building intensifying after World War II. The cornerstone was blessed by John Paul II in 1980. Beyond its religious role, the church has become a cultural venue – since 2010, it has hosted the Summer Festival "Pieniny-Kultura-Sacrum," making it an important landmark on the region's cultural map. The church also holds the status of a votive offering for the salvation of John Paul II, underscoring its religious and cultural significance in the life of the local community. It is also worth noting interesting initiatives, such as the statue of the Virgin Mary, which was placed in conditions hidden from the communist authorities.