St. John the Baptist Church in Buczek

The Church of St. John the Baptist is a Roman Catholic temple located in Buczek, belonging to the Zelów deanery of the Archdiocese of Łódź. It is a Gothic structure with an oriented layout, consisting of a single nave and a narrower rectangular presbytery. The architecture of the church is distinguished by late Renaissance chapels on the southern and northern sides, reflecting the style of the 17th century. The southern chapel, vaulted with an eight-sided dome, was built by the Walewski family, while the northern chapel, covered with a flat ceiling, was founded by the Gomuliński family. The unique roof structure is noteworthy: it is gabled over the nave, while the chapels are covered with tented roofs. The founders of the church were the Buczkowski family, whose tombs are located beneath the presbytery. The history of the temple spans many centuries, and the church has undergone numerous renovations. In the 18th century, side altars were added, and the main altar, created in 1620, features depictions of the Madonna and Child, St. Anthony of Padua, and the scene of the Baptism of Christ. Memorial plaques are mounted on the walls, including one dedicated to Zdzisław Walewski, as well as a plaque commemorating the comprehensive renovation of the church carried out between 1978 and 1980. Also of interest is the pulpit from the early 18th century and the polychrome ceiling in the Walewski Chapel, which references the themes of the Litany of Loreto. The cultural significance of this place is emphasized by various paintings and plaques that testify to the local history and commemorate important figures associated with the parish. Additionally, the quadrangular tower with an octagonal upper section and the semicircularly closed windows lend the temple a unique character. The Church of St. John the Baptist not only serves religious functions but is also an important historical and cultural landmark, reflecting the rich history of the region and the local community.