Franciscan church in Chudnov

The city of Chudnov was first mentioned in Ipatiev Chronicle in 1257. Ancient sources claim that the name of the city comes from the word Chudo (Miracle). The miracle was that the city survived a major Tatar attack. The city is full of exciting sights that are exceptionally interesting for tourists.

Franciscan church in Chudnov was constructed by Prince Janusz Sangushko in the early XVII century. He ruled the construction of the Catholic wooden church. However, thic church was not meant to survive after the numerous Cossack’s attacks. It was ruined after several years since the construction. In its place Franciscan church was constructed in 1760 by Auxiliary Bishop Gorchinskiy. Franciscan church was also known as Church of the Finding of the Holy Cross. The history of the church includes a visit from the last Polish kings August Poniatowski on his way to Kanev to meet Ekaterina II, the Russian Empress. In 1832 Franciscan church was shut down and destroyed. And later, following an order by Soviet officials, the church was completely demolished.

Franciscan church and monastery in Chudnov looks like a vintage three-storeyd building with a bell tower. The roof of the church is shaped as an arc, and the lower tier is decorated with a small round sight glass made of stained glass. The church stands on an area that is densely covered in woodland. Neat paved park alleys lead to the old impressive building. There are large trimmed flowerbeds between the alleys. The church is surrounded with a fence made of restored stone pillars and an arc above the gates. Architectural style of the pillars and the arc matches the style of the building.

Nowadays Franciscan church and monastery in Chudnov belong to the Catholic parish of the Finding of the Cross. Several years ago they started reconstruction that is still ongoing. City authorities often help the community by donating money to the reconstruction.

Address of the Franciscan church: Zhitomir region, Chudnov district, Chudnov, Pushkin lane, 5.