Church of All Saints in Łaziska

The Church of All Saints in Łaziska is a historic Gothic Catholic church, one of the oldest wooden churches in Poland, built between 1466 and 1467. It belongs to the Parish of All Saints in the Gorzyce deanery of the Katowice Archdiocese. Considered a sacred gem of the Wodzisław region, the church is part of the Wooden Architecture Trail. The structure represents the typical Małopolska style of wooden churches, with a nearly square floor plan and a narrower, three-sided apse. A distinctive feature is its post-and-beam tower, topped with an onion dome. The interior is adorned with rich polychrome paintings from 1560, depicting biblical and secular scenes, including portraits of the founders. According to dendrochronological studies, the wood used in its construction dates back to 1466. The tower was added in 1507 and underwent reconstruction in 1748. The church has survived numerous historical upheavals, including World War II, when its bells were stolen. Interestingly, the northern wall of the nave features a glazed section covering a bullet hole, a remnant of the war. The interior is decorated with a late Baroque main altar, Neo-Gothic side altars, and 18th-century organs, which were rebuilt in the 19th century. Originally a subsidiary of the parish in Godów, the church gained independence in 1969, and its parish was officially established in 1978. Paintings uncovered in 1998 revealed the richness of its decorations, confirming its cultural significance. Despite modern modifications, the church retains many historical elements and stands as a testament to the regional tradition of wooden sacred architecture.