From the Studies of Parish Churches in the Włocławek Archdeaconry at the Beginning of the 18th Century

Abstract

In the Włocławek archdeaconry, with whose area our study is concerned, according to the records of the general inspection carried out in 1711, 40% parish churches were built of stone, or more frequently of brick (28 of the 70 described). Almost all the towns, and especially the ones under the king's patronage, had churches made of bricks or stones. The condition of the churches varied: from newly built to completely ruined ones. Most (62%) of the discussed parish churches had three altars. Almost all the remaining ones, especially the ones made of stone or brick, had more altars (from four to eight). As far as the invocations are concerned, most often the churches were dedicated to the Virgin Mary (especially of the Assumption); and of other saints – to St. James the Apostle. Also most paintings (or more rarely statues) in the main and side altars contained pictures of the Virgin Mary (almost in each church, in some of them two), and then of St. Anna. The cult of particular saints in the parishes should probably be connected with those pictures, and in many cases with the fraternities.

Many more problems are connected with the churches, especially the parish ones, than were discussed in the article. They include first of all the churches' furniture, their functionality, or even their very decorations. These points require further detailed research.