St. George's Church in Bilgoraj

The Church of St. George in Biłgoraj is a Roman Catholic temple that serves as the parish church for the local parish in the Diocese of Zamość-Lubaczów. Built between 1790 and 1793 as a Uniate church, it is a historical monument registered in the heritage record. Its architecture is based on a Latin cross plan, made of brick covered with plaster, featuring three naves and stylized neo-baroque altars. Inside, there are biblical paintings, fragments of 19th-century polychrome, and commemorative plaques. The church is surrounded by a wall, and nearby are the parish house and a historic cross from 1841. The history of the church is tumultuous; after its construction, it served as a Uniate church, later as an Orthodox church, and after 1919, it was transferred to the Catholic side. From 1940 to 1945, it was again an Orthodox church before finally being returned to Catholic hands in 1945. In 1984, it was established as the Parish of St. George, and in the following years, it was expanded with side naves. Today, numerous religious services are held in the temple, and its proximity to educational institutions makes it a meeting place for children and youth. Interestingly, between 2008 and 2015, a new Orthodox church was built in the nearby Solska Wilderness, referencing the name of the former Uniate church. The Church of St. George is not only an important cultural element of Biłgoraj but also a place of historical memory, associated with various religious and social events.