Church of St Joseph the Betrothed of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Zalipie

The Church of St Joseph the Betrothed of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Zalipie is the parish church of a village known for its painted farmsteads. The parish was founded in 1925, and the present church was built from 1939 to 1948. One of its chapels has polychromes in the Zalipie style.

From chapel to church

Before the parish was founded, the faithful used a small chapel at the orphanage, in operation from about 1905. The parish was established in 1925.

Construction of the present church began in 1939, but was interrupted by the war. The work was completed in 1948, and the church was blessed on 2 July 1948. Next to the church stands a free-standing bell tower, and at the end of the 1970s a new presbytery was built by the church.

Painted decoration inside

The interior of the chapel is decorated with polychromes referring to Zalipie folk painting, that is, the colourful plant and geometric motifs for which the village is famous. The sources do not give the authors of the paintings or the date they were made.

Painted houses and farmsteads in the area are shown, among others, by the Felicja Curyłowa Farmstead no. 135, about a kilometre away.

Practical information

• Address: Zalipie 160, 33-263 Zalipie.
• The parish belongs to the Diocese of Tarnów and covers Zalipie, Niwki and part of Pilcza Żelichowska.
• Check with the parish the times of services and the possibility of viewing the interior outside Mass before your visit.