Wooden monuments
GÓRZNO LIKE A MOUNTAIN TOWN
While entering the church one surely feel as if… in the mountains. This impression is caused by an unusual “mountain-style” décor of walls and flat, wooden ceiling. In the 1930s the interior of the building was decorated with pine wood planks with mountain-style ornaments.
This atmosphere was additionally emphasized in 2008 when new benches inspired by the folk art from the mountain region were put in the nave. This idea was given by parishioners who went for a pilgrimage to the Mother of God from Jasna Góra in Bachledówka near Zakopane.
A generous founder of this extraordinary paneling, Kazimierz Lipski, wanted to commemorate the marriage of his daughter Anna with a count of Raszewo, Władysław Czarnecki. As the local legend has it, the contractors were highlanders from the Podhale region.
MIRACULOUS COMFORTER FROM GÓRZNO
In the baroque main altar dated to the second half of the 18th century the central place is reserved for the image of Our Lady Comforter. This miraculous painting was made in the middle of the 18th century and it was inspired by a popular image of Our Lady of the Snows.
According to 15th century tradition, the first time Our Lady Comforter manifested Herself to St. Monica whose husband Patricius had just died. Madonna dressed in black robes promised consolation to all who would wear a leather belt to honor Her (similar to the one She was wearing).
The comforter from Górzno is surrounded by full-posture sculptures of four saints, made a century earlier. It seems that the realistic figures are Madonna’s retinue, her guardians and companions from the altar.
– To the left of Our Lady Comforter there are St. John of Nepomuk (who is holding a cross) and St. Peter (with keys and a book).
– To the right – St. Paul (holding a sword and a book) and St. Lawrence (with his attribute, i.e. the gridiron).
– In the crowing there is one other saint companion: the patron saint of the church, Apostle Matthew.
BABTIZM WITH AN ANGEL
Near the left side altar below the historical pulpit there is an 18th century baptismal font. It is hard to miss because its unusual shape catches attention. The font has a form of a full-bodied angel who is holding the basin (cf. a similar object in Starygród).
The artist first created the lifelike statue and later gilded especially the basin for holy water. Thus he signalized on what one has to focus during the ceremony of Christian baptism.
- Details perfectly worked out: feathers on the wings, sandal straps, draped material of the robe attest to great artistry of the sculptor and a harmonious sense of proportion.
- The basin resembles the “horn of plenty” from which flowers are overhanging – presumably a symbol of Water of Life, that is water which sanctifies the life of the newly-baptized.
