The Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Juszkovo Grod

The Church of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos in Juszkowy Gród is an Orthodox parish church, located in the Gródek deanery of the Białystok-Gdańsk diocese of the Polish Autocephalous Orthodox Church. It was built in 1912, three years after the establishment of the parish, which was separated from a larger community in Jałówka. At the same time, a rectory and an outbuilding were constructed, and the interior of the church was adorned with a carved iconostasis. Unfortunately, after only three years of use, the church was abandoned due to the flight of its faithful. After Poland regained independence, the new authorities for a long time did not allow a return to the devastated church, but in 1930, they permitted its renovation, which was carried out by parishioners through voluntary contributions. The church remains active to this day, having undergone several renovations, with the most significant one in 1992 when the roof and domes were replaced. In 2003, the building was entered into the register of monuments as A-56. An architectural feature of the church is its cruciform plan, with a wooden log structure set on a stone foundation. The entrance to the church leads through a porch with a pediment, supported by two columns. The front part features a vestibule with a two-story bell tower: a lower, square section and an upper, octagonal one, topped with a pyramidal spire and a small dome. The main nave, which closes the transept rectangularly on both sides, is currently slightly smaller than the presbytery, which has two side sacristies. The church is accompanied by a tented roof over the central part, crowned with a lantern and an onion dome, as well as a multi-sloped roof over the presbytery, adorned with a turret featuring an onion dome. The church in Juszkowy Gród is an important point on the map of Orthodox culture in Poland and stands as a testament to the history of the local community, closely tied to the events of the early 20th century, repression, and renovations. It is not only a place of religious worship but also a cultural phenomenon, showcasing the architectural traditions of wooden churches in the region. Interestingly, the church has managed to survive many difficult years, and its renovations and the active participation of the faithful demonstrate the exceptional attachment of the local community to this temple.