St. Clement's Parish in Zawoja

The Parish of St. Clement the Pope and Martyr in Zawoja is part of the Archdiocese of Kraków, serving approximately four thousand faithful and actively engaging young people through various groups, including the Living Rosary Association and the Catholic Youth Association. The parish's history dates back to 1819, when it was officially established. The first church, a wooden structure built between 1757 and 1759, was designed in the shape of a cross with a transept and consecrated in 1825. It was admired for its architecture, which reflected the Baroque style with elements characteristic of Italian tradition. The current church, funded by the Habsburgs and constructed in 1888 on the site of the previous one, combines German and Swiss influences in its proportions and decoration. Inside, visitors can admire polychrome works from the 1930s as well as Late Baroque furnishings, including the main altar featuring a painting of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Throughout its history, the parish has been visited by prominent figures, including Karol Wojtyła (the future Pope John Paul II), who came to Zawoja multiple times. The parish also endured tragic events, such as the famine and epidemic of 1847, which claimed the lives of many parishioners and deeply affected the work of the then pastor, Fr. Marcin Leśniak. The Parish of St. Clement in Zawoja is not only a center of rich religious and cultural traditions but also home to numerous brotherhoods and organizations that promote Christian values, making it a vital hub for spiritual and cultural life in the region.