Baroque Parsonage in the Lubusz Land

The former Protestant parsonage in Przecław, located in the Lubusz Voivodeship (Lubusz Land), dates back to 1770. 

This two-story Baroque building features a simple rectangular layout crowned by an original mansard roof covered with ceramic carp-shaped tiles. The roof structure bears historic carpenter’s marks and inscriptions, reflecting the craftsmanship of a bygone era. A prominent facade with a window accents the southern side of the roof. The upper floor walls are constructed using a traditional timber frame method. The building retains its historic window and door frames, although a comprehensive renovation is needed. Inside, original wooden beam ceilings with plank floors remain intact, with some rooms adorned by delicate stucco decorations. A winding wooden staircase with a balustraded handrail connects the floors. The south facade is arranged with six bays and features the main historic entrance doors, while the north facade has five bays and includes the secondary doors. The interior is organized into two corridors connected by a continuous hallway with original flooring. The east and west facades, also two stories high, are plastered and fitted with historic wooden windows. 

In the late 18th century, the building underwent significant renovations, including replacing the original shingle roof with tile roofing. Today, the structure requires restoration.

The foundation stone for the neighboring Protestant church was laid on August 29, 1768, to meet the needs of the local community. The church was consecrated on July 30, 1769, and construction of the parsonage began later that year. The parsonage’s roof was also updated in the late 18th century from shingles to tiles.

The first Protestant pastor was Johan Gottlob Wanderyer, with Alexander Maximilian von Schkopp serving as the church’s patron. He was succeeded by pastors Johann Gottlieb Richter and Ernst Wilhelm August Hoffmann from Babimost. From 1858, Ernst August Theodor Reiche from Konin served as pastor and resident of the parsonage. After World War II, the building was used as a residence and also served social functions—its owner made it available for educational purposes.

Since 1971, the parsonage has been a protected historic monument. It is recognized for its exceptional historical and scientific value, documenting innovative 18th-century engineering solutions. The complex, multi-part mansard roof structure is a rare example of its kind. Through its function, design, and careful timber frame construction, the building continues a long-standing tradition of craftsmanship. The ongoing loss of similar buildings makes this parsonage a unique monument on regional, national, and even European levels. It represents the tangible cultural heritage of the Protestant community present in this region since the mid-16th century.

Located centrally in the village, directly on the main street between the historic 14th-century Catholic Church of St. James and the former Protestant church, the parsonage is an important architectural, historical, and scientific landmark in Przecław’s townscape.

Its position along Poland’s most significant Christian pilgrimage route, the Way of St. James (Jakobsweg), makes the site a living testament to religious diversity. The close proximity of this monument, the Catholic, and the Protestant churches reflects a coexistence of different traditions and beliefs. The region’s multicultural heritage, along with monuments of other faiths—such as Orthodox and Greek Catholic communities relocated to nearby Przemków after World War II—underscores the area’s international character.