Introduction
The Collegiate Basilica of the Transfiguration of the Lord in Brzozow is a historic Roman Catholic Church located in the Brzozów region. This Baroque-style church was constructed between 1676 and 1686, with its consecration taking place in 1688. Over the years, the church has become a notable architectural landmark. The two towers, which stand proudly on the façade, were added later, between 1718 and 1724. Built with a combination of brick and stone, the church is plastered and oriented in a way typical of Baroque basilicas. Inside, the church features a three-nave layout, with a prominent two-tower façade. On either side of the nave are two chapels built in the late Baroque style. One chapel is dedicated to Our Lady of the Fiery, while the other honors the Sacred Heart of Jesus and St. Vincent de Paul. This beautiful structure not only serves as a place of worship but also as a testament to the artistic and architectural heritage of the region.
The Origins of Brzozów and Its Parish
Brzozow is in the Strzyzow-Dynowskie Foothills, a part of the old Sanok region, in the Stobnica Valley. After Poland annexed Ruthenia, King Casimir the Great began settling the borderlands, giving rise to the town. On October 2, 1359, a location charter granted 50 Franconian lans of land to Stefan Wojost, who was tasked with founding a village under Magdeburg law in a forest clearing called Brzozowa. This area developed quickly due to its location along key trade routes, especially the one from Lviv to Hungary. Although no precise date has been found, some historians believe that Brzozów’s parish was one of the earliest in the Przemyl diocese, possibly established prior to 1375. Two lans were reserved for the church rector, laying the groundwork for civil administration and a parish. Based on a visitation record from 1699 that mentioned a chapel built by Janusz of Lubin in that year, Father Mrowiski attributes the first church in the present-day Stara Wie to Father ubieski, who served as bishop of Przemyl.
Brzozow’s Growth and the Role of the Bishops
The Przemysl diocese was big, but it didn’t have enough people or money. Its first bishop, Erik Winsen, worked hard to raise money for the bishopric. The bishops of Przemyl received five villages, including Brzozowa, from Queen Mary of Hungary in 1384. Additionally, these villages were freed from secular control. Before 1386, Brzozów gained town rights though we don’t know exactly who granted them. The new town sat on 12 Franconian lans (roughly 290 hectares), just south of the original village area. For over 400 years, Brzozów remained under the care of the Przemyśl bishops, who significantly shaped its development. At the town’s northern entrance, a manor house was constructed by Bishop Chrzstowski (1435–1452). Brzozów then became a residence for the bishops. Over time, many bishops chose to live there permanently. Bishop Sierakowski even informed the Vatican in 1744 that Brzozów had become the official residence of the bishop. The town also served as an administrative hub for the bishops’ local estate, which included Stara Wieś, Blizne, Domaradz, and Golcowa.
The First Churches and the “Fiery” Painting
The town’s first church within its borders likely dates to the early 15th century, possibly founded by Bishop Chrząstowski. It was a wooden structure dedicated to Corpus Christi and stood where the current church does today. On March 12, 1657, during an attack by George II Rákóczi of Transylvania’s troops, that church was destroyed by fire. After surviving the rubble, a painting of Our Lady of Consolation came to be known as Our Lady of the Fiery. In 1858, it was crowned with bishop’s crowns and became an important symbol of devotion.
The Brick Basilica: Construction, Problems, and Additions
During Canon Stanisaw Bogusawski’s reign in Brzozów, construction of the current brick church began in 1676, funded by Bishop Stanisaw Sarnowski. When the bishop was moved to Kujawy in 1677, the church’s main structure was already partly completed. Father Bartlomiej Misiaowicz was entrusted with carrying out his inheritance of 100,000 zloty. The church was dedicated on May 30, 1688, by Bishop Stanislaw Zbski, and it was given the name “Transfiguration of the Lord.” The original design, probably created by Jakub Solari, had two transept chapels and a single nave. However, the primary walls began to exhibit cracks. The issue was not resolved by the addition of buttresses. Later, construction nearby for a seminary caused more instability. To strengthen the building, two side aisles and chapels were added with help from Bishop Wacław Hieronim Sierakowski. Brzozów received missionary priests from Bishop Sierakowski in 1745, and by 1760, they had established the second seminary in the entire Przemyl diocese. It was here that Ignacy Krasicki, future Bishop of Warmia, was ordained on May 19, 1757. Later, Bishop Michał Wodzicki reinforced the vault with iron ties. Before that, in 1723, Bishop Krzysztof Szembek convened a diocesan synod in Brzozów and converted the church into a collegiate one with the blessing of the Przemyl chapter. Additionally, he finished the front twin towers.
Decline Under Austrian Rule and Later Restoration
Brzozów and the Sanok region came under Austrian rule following the First Partition of Poland in 1772. Brzozów’s influence waned despite Bishop Kierski repairing the church’s roof and installing a new stone floor. By 1788, the Austrians dissolved the collegiate chapter and the seminary. The missionary priests were removed, weakening both the parish and the town. The bishops spent less time in Brzozów after that. In honor of the 100th anniversary of its relocation to the side chapel, the painting of Our Lady of the Fire was solemnly crowned once more in 1858. The ceremony was led by Father Józef Ziemiański and approved by Bishop Wierzchlejewski. Between 1902 and 1905, the church underwent renovations altars were repainted, and the floor was replaced. During the interwar years, the parish supported several Catholic organizations, which helped the poor and served the local community.
War, Heroism, and Modern Times
From 1939, the parish hosted a kindergarten run by the Sisters Servants of the Blessed Virgin Mary from Stara Wieś. Sister Celestyna Faron, who worked there, joined the resistance and distributed underground newspapers. She was arrested in 1942 and died in Auschwitz in 1944. Pope John Paul II later beatified her.During the German occupation, religious life was restricted. In early 1941, the church was closed under the excuse of a typhus outbreak. Despite this, Masses were still held in secret every morning through a side door. Father Kociak, the vicar, led a local charity group to support those in need. Meanwhile, with Przemyśl under Soviet control, the local seminary was relocated to Brzozów-Zdrój. A “forest seminary” opened on May 10, 1940, where 93 priests were ordained during the war. By the late 1960s, the church was in danger of collapsing. A full renovation took place between 1969 and 1972, thanks to Father Julian Pudła and Father Tomasz Zięba. The structure was reinforced with concrete ring beams, pillars were stabilized, and a new vault was added. Interior renovations followed, including restoring the high altar, side altars, pews, and organ. Between 2000 and 2004, the facade and surrounding area were also improved. On April 3, 1975, Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński restored the church’s status as a collegiate church with permission from the Vatican. In 1988, Brzozów celebrated the 300th anniversary of the church’s consecration, joined by Archbishop Ignacy Tokarczuk and other bishops, along with a large number of faithful. Another big celebration came in 1993, marking 300 years since the death of Father Bartłomiej Misiałowicz. It included a solemn Mass, a scientific session about his legacy, and the opening of the parish library named in his honor.
Architecture of Basilica of the Transfiguration of the Lord, Brzozów, Poland
Organs of the Collegiate Basilica
The organ case is above the main entrance in the western portion of the nave. The first mention of the organ comes from a post-visitation report by Bishop Doenhoff in 1699. According to Father Moliński, who visited the parish on the bishop’s authority, the organ was located in the choir loft above the large door. The report also notes that the organ case was decorated with a figure of an angel holding up the instrument. A more detailed description of the organ was recorded in 1745, where it was described as a “black-painted carpentry structure.” The elaborately decorated Baroque organ case was from the late 17th century. The finial featured a sculpture of King David playing the harp, reflecting his musical and poetic talents, as well as two musical angels with violins and trumpets. The design also included numerous horns with cartilage-auricular ornamentation. These sculptures were probably crafted in a local workshop in Krosno. The choir loft’s length was about a third the length of the organ case, which was quite small. The organ underwent a number of renovations over time. Notably, the organ was restored in 1865 and 1902, the latter by an organist from nearby Jasionów named Alojzy Konieczny. During this restoration, Konieczny added a second manual and four new stops, increasing the total number of stops to 16. The organ was rebuilt once more during the church’s major renovation in 1969. Rev. realized that the instrument’s condition had deteriorated. Dr. Jan Chwałek from Lublin was asked to evaluate it. His assessment concluded that the organ was neither of high musical nor technical quality, nor did it match the size of the church, both architecturally and sonically. Józef Cynar, an organ builder from Wrocław, took on the task of restoring the organ. He redesigned the organ’s casing, expanding it to better fit the church’s monumental space. The new design was approved by conservation authorities, and elements of the original organ case were incorporated. However, one element, the angel supporting the organ, mentioned in the 1699 description, was not included in the new casing. This angel is now planned to be displayed in the future Parish Museum. The figures of King David and the musical angels were reinstalled in the finial following the restoration. The organ’s preserved central section and ornamental ears were transferred from the previous casing. The entire structure was placed on a new reinforced concrete platform. Henryk Cipora from Krzywe restored the sculptures and decorative elements, and Józef and Stanisaw Pudo from Korczyna made the new organ case. Adam Kruk and Janusz Kasper from Krakow carefully preserved the historic gilding and sculptures.
The Pulpit of Brzozów Church
The Brzozów pulpit stands out as one of the most visually stunning pulpits from its time. Among its contemporaries, such as those in the parish churches of Krosno and Biecz, and St. Mary’s and St. Joseph’s Churches in Kraków, the Brzozów pulpit has the richest iconography. It’s especially ornate, with a high artistic quality that art historians believe was crafted by local artisans from Krosno and Brzozów, possibly students of Hankisz from Kraków.The iconography on the pulpit is rich and intricate. The decorations are full of plant motifs like vine leaves, fruit, and acanthus leaves, alongside columns and angel heads. These design elements help convey the deeper meanings behind the sculptures. The body of the pulpit is adorned with gilded and polychrome sculptures of significant religious figures, including Christ with the insignia of royal power, the Four Evangelists, Saints Peter and Paul, and a representation of the Immaculate Conception of Mary. Before the dogma of the Immaculate Conception was officially declared, the cult of Mary’s Immaculate Conception had been growing in Poland since the 16th century. Above these, the pulpit features sculptures of Saints Joachim and Anne, the parents of the Virgin Mary. From these figures grows a vibrant vine that forms a backrest for a medallion featuring the Virgin Mary and Child. The canopy of the pulpit is decorated with acanthus leaves and topped by an openwork lantern with a sculpture of a pelican feeding its young symbolizing Christ. At the very top stands Saint Michael the Archangel, portrayed as a knight in full armor, holding a trumpet in one hand and a shield inscribed with “Mi-ka-el” in the other, symbolizing his victory over Satan. Also included is a sculpture of the Dove of the Holy Spirit in the canopy. All of these elements come together to symbolically represent the pulpit’s purpose: a place for preaching, with these figures pointing to the source of the divine word. The quality of the pulpit’s sculptures is mostly good, though the faces are crafted with skill, while the arms and legs appear less refined. This may suggest that some of the figures were completed by apprentices in a sculpture workshop. Originally, the structural parts of the pulpit were painted black, but in 1905, they were repainted dark green, with the exception of the canopy. According to historical documents, the only significant restoration of the pulpit took place between 1902 and 1905, carried out by architect Stanisław Majerski. The work primarily involved minor conservation and repainting, during which time two additional angel heads, differing in quality from the rest of the sculptures, were added. In 1991–1992, the pulpit underwent a major conservation project. The Strużyński Monument Conservation Institute from Kraków took on the task, with the cooperation of the parish priest, parish representatives, and experts from the Ministry of Culture and Art. The conservation team decided to completely remove the later repainting and restore the sculptures to their original polychrome appearance. Significant damage to the original polychrome was found, particularly on the legs of some sculptures, such as the figure of St. Matthew, where the paint had completely worn off. After the sculptures were cleaned, impregnated, and the woodwork filled, the dark green repainting from 1905 was retained, but redone in the correct original colors. The gilding was also restored, bringing it back to its original matt and glossy finish.
Baptismal font in the chapel of St. Anne
Inside St. Anne’s Chapel, you’ll find a beautiful Baroque baptismal font that dates back to the turn of the 17th and 18th centuries. The font’s cover was first listed in the church’s inventory in 1699, and the black marble base was recorded as early as 1745. The font has undergone several renovations over the years, including work by Majerski in 1905, and more recently in 1978 by Adam Kruk and Juliusz Kasper from Kraków. The font is placed in the corner of the chapel, a location it has occupied since after 1750. Its circular base is made of black Dębica marble, and it sits on a balustered shaft. The bowl itself is fluted, and inside it is a tin water cistern. The cover is openwork and wooden, strongly arched in the shape of a dome, and gilded. It is beautifully decorated with acanthus leaves, rosettes, palmettes, and astragals. At the top of the cover, there’s a carved figural group depicting the Baptism of Christ. On the circular base, there’s a sculptural scene with Christ and St. John the Baptist. Christ is positioned lower, with his hands folded across his chest, looking bowed. Above him, St. John the Baptist stands, holding a banner in his left hand and a bowl in his raised right hand, from which he pours water onto Christ’s head. Both figures are depicted half-naked, draped in long, flowing gold cloaks.
Epitaphs
An epitaph to honor Father Bartlomiej Misiaowicz was funded by his executors in recognition of his accomplishments. During a recent church renovation, this oil-on-canvas epitaph was discovered. Sadly, it had been stored improperly for a long time, and there were concerns about whether it could be restored. The epitaph was restored to its original splendor as a result of Barbara Palusiska of Krosno’s expert conservation work. On a blue background, the text and the surrounding Rococo ornamentation are painted in gold and yellow. Since the church only had one nave at the time, the epitaph was originally hung on the side wall of the main nave beneath Father Misiaowicz’s portrait. After the renovation, it was moved to a spot opposite the portrait, in the passage between the main nave and the side aisle. In the mid-18th century, during work likely related to the church’s expansion, the remains of Father Misiałowicz were discovered. According to historical records, he had been buried in front of the main altar, most likely in the existing crypt in the chancel. When his remains were exhumed, his hands naturally became mummified. These hands were put in a coffin that had been made just for them. The coffin was made of soft wood and was painted a dark ash-gray marble color with lighter veins. The inside of the coffin was swathed in red silk. The coffin bears an inscription: “Hands of Mr. X Bart. During the exhumation, Misiaowicz, a former Parish Priest of Brzozów, was discovered half-destroyed in the Great Altar. “Died October 10, 1693” is written in paint that is slightly lighter than the background on the side of the coffin. This inscription most likely dates from a later time. The coffin is now kept in the sacristy after being conserved at Antoni Guzik’s Kraków studio. Przemyl Bishop Waclaw Hieronim Sierakowski also provided funding for a stone memorial to this extraordinary priest. Father Misiaowicz had a significant influence not only on the Brzozów parish but also on the diocese as a whole. In 1993, to mark the 300th anniversary of Father Misiałowicz’s death, the Brzozów parish held anniversary ceremonies. The newly constructed catechetical building was named in Father Misiaowicz’s honor during the ceremony, which was attended by Archbishop Ignacy Tokarczuk. His mummified hands were placed in a brass coffin with a glass window beneath the newly renovated stone epitaph. On either side of the original stone epitaph, which bears a Latin inscription, there are two stone tablets with a Polish translation of the text, done by Father Józef Częczek and Father Franciszek Woźniak. Father Jakub Szczniak, a Warsaw priest, traveled through Brzozów in 1994. Father Misiaowicz was so moved by the sight of his hands that he wrote a Stations of the Cross dedicated to human hands and their significance to God and humanity for the Brzozów collegiate church.
Feast Day
Feast Day : 6 August
The main feast day of the Basilica of the Transfiguration of the Lord in Brzozów, Poland, is celebrated on August 6th, which is the Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord. This day holds great significance for the basilica and its faithful, marking a special occasion for devotion and celebration.
Church Mass Timing
Monday to Saturday : 6:30 AM, 4:00 PM, 6:00 PM
Sunday : 6:00 AM, 8:00 AM, 9:30 AM, 11:00 AM, 12:15 PM, 4:00 PM, 6:00 PM
Church Opening Time:
Monday to Saturday : 4:00 pm, 7:00 pm.
Sunday : 6:30 am, 7:00 pm.
Contact Info
Address : Collegiate Basilica of the Transfiguration of the Lord in Brzozów
Mickiewicza 29, 36-200 Brzozów, Poland
Phone : +48 13 434 16 34
Accommodations
Connectivities
Airway
Basilica of the Transfiguration of the Lord, Brzozów, Poland to Rzeszów-Jasionka Airport Jasionka, distance between 1 hr 16 min (72.6 km) via DK19.
Railway
Basilica of the Transfiguration of the Lord, Brzozów, Poland to Sanok Railway Station, distance between 31 min (23.1 km) via DW886.
