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A 19th-century wooden church

Heritage wooden church renovation 

The Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord and Our Lady of Częstochowa in Krynica-Zdrój, Poland is a 19th-century wooden chapel of high heritage value. A comprehensive renovation was required after technical and conservation studies identified advanced deterioration of façade boards, roof structures, and selected load-bearing timber elements.

Originally constructed in 1863, the church is defined by vertical timber cladding, wooden shingle roofing, and a domed roof form characteristic of regional wooden sacral architecture. Archival imagery guided the restoration of the original colour scheme, proportions, and detailing. All renovation works were carried out following approval from the historic monuments conservator.

The project aimed to restore the chapel’s original architectural expression while upgrading structural integrity and fire safety in line with contemporary requirements—without altering the building’s historic material character.

 
Key facts
  • Type of Building:
    Church
  • Fire protection class: 
    B-s1,d0
  • Location:
    Krynica-Zdrój, Poland
  • Fire protected:
    Wooden façade, roof structures, and load-bearing timber
 
Conservation approach

The architectural and conservation strategy focused on:

  • Preserving the chapel’s original silhouette and material logic
  • Limiting material replacement to elements beyond repair
  • Restoring historic surface character using archival references
  • Integrating fire protection as a material performance requirement, not a visual layer
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Material continuity and repair strategy

The external timber cladding was dismantled to enable full inspection of the structural frame. Structurally compromised elements were selectively replaced with new timber components, matched in species, dimensions, and surface finish.

Façade boards were renewed using vertically oriented timber consistent with the original detailing. Roof works included dismantling the existing shingle covering, preserving and reusing original shingles where possible, and replacing only irreparable elements with new shingles fabricated to match the historic profile and laying pattern.

Temporary breathable protection layers were used during construction to safeguard the timber structure.

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Architectural process renovation

Integrating fire safety into historic timber

Fire protection was integrated at the material level. All structural and visible timber elements were treated with Norflam W310, providing fire-retardant performance while maintaining:

  • Natural wood appearance
  • Vapour permeability
  • Compatibility with heritage timber assemblies

This approach enabled compliance with fire safety requirements without introducing coatings or surface treatments that would compromise architectural authenticity.

 

Fire-protected elements

Structural timber: All load-bearing wooden elements were fire protected, including:

  • Primary timber frame
  • Roof structure (rafters, purlins, supporting members)
  • Structural elements within the domed roof volumes

These elements are critical for fire resistance and structural stability.

External wooden cladding: Fire protection was applied before installation to ensure full and uniform penetration, including:

  • All newly installed façade boards
  • Reused original boards where their condition allowed retention

 

Roof covering 

  • Original wooden shingles that were preserved and reused
  • New replacement shingles fabricated to match the historic profile

This ensured continuity of fire performance across the entire roof surface.

Secondary wooden elements 

  • Timber elements around openings (window and door surrounds)
  • Secondary framing elements exposed behind the cladding

What was deliberately not altered: Fire protection was applied in a way that did not form a surface coating, preserving the architectural and material expression of the timber. 

  • Interior finishes and historic interior elements (unless otherwise required by conservation rules)
  • Visible surface character, colour, and texture of the wood

“The renovation required precise coordination between conservation rules and technical safety. The applied fire protection solution allowed us to meet regulatory requirements without altering the chapel’s historic wooden character.”

 – Jarosław Małek, Tatran's Owner

 

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