Church of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist and the Mother of God in Poniszowice

The Church of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist and Our Lady of Częstochowa in Poniszowice, located in the Rudziniec commune in the Silesian Voivodeship, is a gem of 15th-century wooden architecture, included on the Wooden Architecture Route. The history of this church dates back to 1175, and the current structure was built in 1499. Over the centuries, it has undergone numerous renovations and reconstructions, including the addition of a side chapel in 1650 and a patrons' gallery in 1852. Architecturally, the church is an oriented log structure with a square nave and a three-sided chancel. A distinctive feature is its shingled roof with an octagonal belfry. The church's furnishings, including the Baroque main altar from 1655, are rich in detail, featuring paintings of Our Lady of Częstochowa, St. Barbara, and the Resurrection of Christ. The bell tower from 1570, admired for its construction, houses historic bells, the oldest of which dates back to 1536. The church's surroundings are also noteworthy, with a cemetery enclosed by a stone wall built in the 19th century and a "hunger cross" from 1844. The church in Poniszowice is not only a place of worship but also an important element of local culture and history, bearing witness to centuries of continuous change.