Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross in Widawa

The Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross in Widawa is a Roman Catholic parish church belonging to the Widawa deanery in the Archdiocese of Łódź. Its construction took place between 1678 and 1709, and the church represents the Baroque style. It was designed by an unknown architect, and its oriented, single-nave structure with a narrower presbytery and a semicircular closure highlights typical features of Baroque architecture. The entrance to the temple is located on the western side, through a square-shaped vestibule. In 1731, the church was consecrated by Bishop Franciszek Kraszkowski, the suffragan bishop of Gniezno. The interior of the church is distinguished by a richly decorated main altar, featuring a sculpted group of the Crucifixion along with figures of St. Adalbert and St. Stanislaus. The founder of this work was Stanisław Karsznicki, the standard-bearer of Wieluń. The church also houses four carved side altars, adorned with paintings and a figure of Jesus. The Baroque-style pulpit dates back to the early 18th century, while the organ, also Baroque, has 15 voices and is decorated with a clock and sculptures of playing women. A historically valuable piece is the late Renaissance bronze baptismal font, made in 1600 by Michał Otman of Kraków and donated by Walenty Widawski, rector of the Kraków Academy. The Stations of the Cross in the church are made of plaster. The Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross in Widawa is an important element of local cultural heritage, serving as a testament to Baroque architecture and the history of the region. Its interior is not only a place of prayer but also a treasury of sacred art, attracting both the faithful and tourists. Interestingly, despite its historical character, the temple has withstood the test of time and continues its activities to this day, serving not only as a witness to history but also as a place of religious activity for the local community.