Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross in Brzeziny

The Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross in Brzeziny is a Gothic brick temple belonging to the Roman Catholic Parish of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross in the Łódź Voivodeship. Built in the first half of the 14th century in the Gothic style, its history is rich and full of transformations. During the Renaissance, the church underwent its first major renovation, which included the construction of the Lasocki and Miedziak chapels. These unique mausoleums with catacombs were funded by Stanisław Lasocki, the then owner of Brzeziny. In 1515, the Chapel of Our Lady of the Rosary was added, modeled after the Sigismund Chapel in Kraków's Wawel Cathedral, and in 1619, the Chapel of the Holy Cross was built. In the mid-19th century, the church was closed due to damage but was reconsecrated on October 30, 1853, after reconstruction and continues to function to this day. Architecturally, the church is a single-nave structure with a low chancel, a two-story sacristy, and a small vestibule. Although originally built in the Gothic style, it has undergone numerous renovations and now combines elements of Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque. A significant feature is the Renaissance Lasocki Chapel with a dome inspired by St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. The interior of the church retains many valuable furnishings, including Baroque organs from the 17th century, a Gothic sculpture of Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane from around 1500, and a 16th-century sculpture of St. Nicholas of Bari. The Lasocki and Miedziak chapels house tomb sculptures from the 16th and 17th centuries, as well as the tomb of Urszula z Maciejowskich Leżeńska, crafted by Jan Michałowicz of Urzędów. Interestingly, despite numerous renovations, the church continues to serve the Catholic community in Brzeziny while remaining an important cultural and historical landmark of the region. This site stands out not only for its rich furnishings but also for its fascinating history, reflecting the architectural and social changes the area has undergone over the centuries.