RĘBOWO - St John the Baptist Church

The church in Rębowo was built in the 16th century. According to historians, it must have been built in the place of another building which must have been destroyed. Even though the church operated for many years, it was not a separate parish. It was erected in the 20th century, for only four years, before it went back to the rank of a chapel of ease. Since 1973 it has been operating as an autonomous parish again.

3D WALK History

"

CHURCH

IN RĘBOWO

The parish of Rębowo has witnessed the Mazovian history since the time when King Ladislaus the Short ruled Poland. Members of the Canons Regular of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem served in the parish and administered it since 1320 until the first half of the 19th century. They were also called the guardians of the Holy Sepulchre; they originated from Miechów. This Order was brought to Poland in the 12th century by the knight called Jaksa from the family of Gryfici. The magnate assigned funds to start their first priory in Miechów, which in turn became the source of their informal name “miechowici”. It is worth mentioning that even though for centuries the structure and the number of the order evolved – it was even dissolved – it still operates today as an association of the clergy and lay members. Its main seat is still located in Miechów.

The church in Rębowo was built in the 16th century. According to historians, it must have been built in the place of another building which must have been destroyed. Even though the church operated for many years, it was not a separate parish. It was erected in the 20th century, for only four years, before it went back to the rank of a chapel of ease. Since 1973 it has been operating as an autonomous parish again.

This square plan church has three aisles. You can see from a distance a quadrilateral turret with a tin tented roof. The sacristy was added to the presbytery from the north, and a porch was added from the west.

The interior of the Rębowo church is in big contrast to the modest and charming wooden architecture of the outside of the building. The visitors will be struck by a rich play of Baroque ornaments and details. Bright colours of floral ornaments make serious and elegant side altars in classical white and gold more joyful. The main altar however, made in manneristic style, stands out due to the use of blue. Its central part holds a copy of the painting of Our Lady of Częstochowa from 1871. It is a screen of another, even more precious work of art: the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary from 1672.

Other gems of sacred art not to be missed when visiting the church: sculptures of the Crucifixion Group (to be found on the rood beam), two holy water stoups from the middle of the 16th century (one Baroque made of marble, the other Gothic made of granite) and a 17th century Baroque baptismal font. The campanile located in front of the church dates back to the 18th century.