Schultz Czech-Slovak Mission Memories: Wooden Churches

Religion has played a major role in the history of Slovakia. The Roman Catholic church accounts for up to 60% of the population. And within the last few decades up to 80% Roman Catholics. Throughout the country we saw many Cathedrals, basilicas, monasteries, and churches. They are designed after European architecture such as Gothic, Baroque, and Renaissance.

Villages were built around houses of worship. In every village, town, or city, a church building is the center place. Even small villages of a couple hundred people will have a church in the center. Larger cities have several, often in the same block. These edifices are all made of stone, cement, and metal. Their steeples tall, strong and firm.

We heard Slovakia has the highest density of wooden churches in Europe. Many are UNESCO World Heritage sites, so naturally we had to take a drive and discover this for ourselves. We drove near the Poland border where at least ten of them are found in close proximity. You may wonder why there are a handful of wooden churches among such beautiful stone built churches. I had to research to find the answer.

In the seventh century, the Roman Catholic Emperor opposed other religions coming into the area. He dictated how other churches were allowed to build their churches. They were required to be built entirely of wood, and without the use of metal. The construction must be completed within one year and the building site could not be located in the center of town.

These small wooden Churches are made entirely of unpainted wood. The whole interior and exterior, even the smallest details were made of wood. What makes them unique is the fact, they were built without any nails.

We noticed a few similarities between the rustic looking churches. Each was built with a similar design and architecture. Some are surrounded by a unique wooden skirt fence about three feet high.

Each wooden church we saw has three belfries in onion shape, and the walls are all overlapped planks. The expertise of carpenters skill in making the buildings has left them standing today, most in very good shape.

The wooden churches are located on the outskirts of villages or in a more remote location. Some of the churches didn't appear to be used anymore as more modern ones were observed nearby.

At one locked wooden church, we had an old man approach us. He offered to open up the church and allowed us to walk inside. It was like entering a small cabin with hand painted religious mural interior. For a small donation he offered to ring the bells in the belfry.