Church of St. Martin in Widawa

Saint Martin's Church is a Roman Catholic religious building, operating as a filial church within the Parish of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. Its history dates back to the years 1440–1464, when it was built in the Gothic style by the Habdank Widawski family. The consecration of the church took place in 1476 and was conducted by the auxiliary bishop of Gniezno, Andrzej of Opalenica. The church faced a difficult period when it was destroyed by fire in 1802, but it was successfully rebuilt in 1846, albeit without a distinct architectural style. The structure is single-naved, with an interior consisting of a narrower rectangular presbytery and two square side chapels. On the western side of the presbytery, there are a sacristy and a treasury. The church's furnishings include an interesting 19th-century main altar, a side altar with sculptures and paintings from the late 18th century, as well as a stone holy water font and Baroque candlesticks. In recent years, the church has undergone a series of renovation works, particularly under the guidance of Father Jarosław Leśniak, who took over the parish in 2014. These works included the restoration of the altars, repairs to the roofs and ceilings, improvements to the flooring, and conservation of the pulpit and the turret. Every year, on November 11, Mass is celebrated in the church in honor of its patron saint—Saint Martin—coinciding with the celebrations of National Independence Day, highlighting the unique connection between local religious tradition and an important historical event. The church not only serves a religious function but also stands as a significant element of the region's cultural heritage, with a rich history and architecture worth exploring.