The church was relocated in 1813 to higher ground to escape the floodwaters of the Muszynka River.
It is one of the oldest preserved wooden churches in the Lemko region of Poland.
The building uses a 'srubowa' construction method, where interlocking wooden logs are joined without the use of metal nails.
The interior contains a 17th-century icon depicting the Last Judgment, noted for its detailed traditional iconography.
The current structure includes elements from three different architectural phases: 1600, 1780, and 1813.
The Church of St. James the Less in Powroźnik is a historic wooden Lemko Greek Catholic church, currently functioning as a Roman Catholic church. Originally built in 1600, it was moved to its present location in 1813 due to flooding. It is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site as part of the Wooden Tserkvas of the Carpathian Region in Poland and Ukraine. The structure features a distinctive log-cabin construction technique using larch timber. The interior preserves original 17th and 18th-century polychrome wall paintings. A notable feature is the 18th-century iconostasis and a rare baroque-style interior design. The church's bell tower, dating from 1780, is an independent wooden structure within the churchyard. The site remains a protected monument under Polish heritage laws.
The view from the main entrance path captures the full profile of the wooden tower and the church roof in one frame.
Check the church exterior from the cemetery side to observe the unique construction details of the wooden shingles.
Combine your visit with a walk along the nearby Muszynka River valley for local landscape views.
Avoid visiting during active religious services unless participating in the liturgy.
The interior is typically accessible for visitors during the spring and summer tourist season; limited access during winter months.
Modest dress covering shoulders and knees is required; silence is mandatory inside the sanctuary.
