The Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Gorajec is one of the oldest preserved churches in Poland. Built in 1586, it underwent numerous reconstructions and modifications throughout its history. The church in Gorajec was a filial of Żuków. However, it is known that until the end of the 18th century, there was an independent parish here for some time [1, p. 78], [2, p. 585].

During the restoration conducted between 1992 and 2002, paintings from the first quarter of the 17th century were discovered behind the iconostasis. This discovery made it possible to date the church to the 16th century (previously, its creation was tentatively dated to around 1660). At the same time, the restorers dismantled the side aisles added in 1903, restoring the church’s authentic appearance.

The church is a three-domed structure: the domes above the narthex and nave are quadrilateral (the one above the nave features a single break), while the dome above the sanctuary is octagonal. The domes are topped with blind lanterns, surmounted by finials with metal crosses. All roof structures are clad in shingles. Around the entire perimeter of the church runs a wide arcade, supported by the protruding beams of the log construction. Part of the church’s interior decorations, including icons such as The Baptism (19th century), Christ Pantocrator (17th century), and two fragments of The Annunciation (17th century), are preserved in the museum in Łańcut (Muzeum — Zamek w Łańcucie) [1, p. 79].

The churchyard is surrounded by a characteristic wooden fence (reconstructed in 2006) with an entrance gate. The original bell tower has not survived. Currently, the churchyard features a bell tower built in 1863, which was relocated in 1994 from Majdan Sieniawski [3, pp. 75–76].

Today, the church functions as a filial Catholic church.

Sources:

1. Styrna J, Mamoń A. Zabytki ziemi lubaczowskiej. Przemiany w latach 1904—2004 na podstawie rękopisu Karola Notza. Kraków, Biblioteka Fundacji św. Włodzimierza, tom 9, 2004. 230 с.

2. Блажейовський Д. Історичний шематизм Перемиської єпархії (з додатком Апостольської Адміністрації Лемківщини) 1828—1939. Львів : Каменяр, 1995. 1008 с.

3. Zieliński K. Leksykon drewnianej architektury sakralnej województwa podkarpackiego. Carpathia. 2015. 408 S.

O. Svidzinska