| Transfiguration Church | |
|---|---|
Фарны касцёл Праабражэння Гасподняга | |
 Transfiguration Church, the pointed windows mark the older chapels from the Gothic period | |
 Transfiguration Church | |
| Location | Novogrudok |
| Country | Belarus |
| Denomination | Catholic Church |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Active |
TheTransfiguration Roman Catholic Church (Belarusian:Фарны касцёл Праабражэння Гасподняга) inNovogrudok,Belarus, is aBaroque church erected in 1712–1723, replacing an earlierGothic building from the late 14th century, and originally consecrated under the title of Corpus Christi. Two Gothic chapels survive and are included in the Baroque building.
In 1799, the poetAdam Mickiewicz was baptized in this church.
Closed in 1857, re-opened in 1906. Currently active.
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Vytautas the Great founded the church in 1395 on the site of a former pagan temple.[1] In 1422Władysław II Jagiełło married here his fourth wifeSophia of Halshany, establishing theJagiellonian dynasty. In 1643 localcastellan Jan Rudamina added a marblebas-relief in commemoration of the Navahrudaks knights fallen in theBattle of Khotyn in 1621.[2]
In 1712-1740 the church was rebuilt.[2] The local masons Jakub Boksza, Jerzy Urłowski, Andrzej Szarecki, Jerzy Stepkowski headed the construction. The keystone was consecrated on July 14, 1714, by the bishopMatzey Anzuta [pl]. The building was designed as a one-nave basilica with roundapse and two towers at the main facade. Two older faceted towers of XIV century were also included into the new building.[3]
On February 12, 1799, the poetAdam Mickiewicz was baptised here.[4] In 1812 during theFrench invasion of RussiaNapoleon’s troops used the church as a food storage. After the war the services in the church were resumed, but in 1864 it was closed again in the aftermath of theJanuary Uprising.[3]
The building decayed until 1906. In 1921 it was reconstructed by princeStanisław Albrecht Radziwiłł and architect Bayle. The bishopZygmunt Łoziński consecrated the restored church in 1922. In 1929 it was given to theSisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth.
During theWorld War II the city was occupied bythe Nazis. The sisterhood organized a clandestine school for Polish children with lessons on history and Polish language. On August 1, 1943, theGestapo executed 11 nuns and the school’s principal. The burial place of theMartyrs of Nowogródek existed near the church until 1991.[5]
Under theSoviets the church was closed in 1948 and reopened only in 1984. The services were resumed in 1992. The latest restoration was completed in 1998.
53°36′05″N25°49′49″E / 53.60139°N 25.83028°E /53.60139; 25.83028
