The photograph shows the state of the chapel in December 2004.
The oldest surviving building in our village. It was built in 1664 (inscription in the upper part). A bell dated 1739 hangs in the gable, and on the bell frame there is an inscription (rebuilt Chudala, year 1969). Until July of that year the bell called people to prayer three times a day (Angelus). It was and still is also our bell for the dying. Until 1982, in the month of May, we gathered in the early evening on the road in front of the chapel for the “May devotions”, which, as I remember, were led by the late Jadwiga Bias (born in September 1916). The place in front of the chapel was also the assembly point before a pilgrimage or procession. Every procession took a cross, which was carried at the front, and a painting in the middle. Behind the painting walked the leader of the procession, striking up the singing, then the other participants.
To complete the history of our bell tower, it should be mentioned that it, too, was damaged in the Second World War. The painting was also hit by projectiles, and several splinters tore the frame. The image of Our Lady of Częstochowa itself was left intact. Mr Józef Kansy (carpenter) repaired the damaged ornaments. Some carpentry work was also done by Mr Kornek from Górki. According to oral tradition the painting was brought from Częstochowa by Mr Roch Malik, who at that time, in 1905, was the guide on processions and pilgrimages. He was probably also its donor. On the back of the painting of Our Lady of Częstochowa there is a second painting, of St. Roch, his patron saint.
The walls damaged after the Second World War were repaired under the direction of the then village head, Mr Joachim Kornek, with money obtained from leasing apple trees on the “boundaries”. It was a sum of about 4000 złoty. At this point we should also remember the late Gerad Dusza, who for many years served as bell-ringer and caretaker of the chapel. After his death the task was taken over by Antoni Smolin (until he fell ill). Today the bell-ringer is an electronic control unit with a motor drive.
The photograph was probably taken in the early 1930s. The third from the left is Cecylia Zmarzły-Schikora, my father’s sister, born 1913, who now lives in Stade. Below, the smallest one with the basket is Jadwiga Kiwus from Folwark. Unfortunately she is now in a wheelchair and lives in Opole, where her nephew looks after her.
