Zhytomyr region is not always associated with popular tourist routes, but it is here that places capable of surprising even experienced travelers are hidden. One of them is the Church of Saint Clara in the village of Horodkivka, Andrushivka hromada, a Neo-Gothic landmark combining history, drama, and a special atmosphere.
The temple stands away from tourist flows, which is why it has preserved its authenticity. It rises on a hill above a pond near the road to Berdychiv, is clearly visible from afar, and resembles a medieval castle.
A village with a long history
Previously, Horodkivka was called Khalaimhorodok. The first known owners of these lands were the Lozovytskyi gentry. In 1482, the village was destroyed by Tatars and stood deserted for a long time; later it suffered again during the Cossack wars of the mid-17th century. In the 18th and 19th centuries, the estate belonged to the Ivanovskyi family.
History of construction: a vision that outlived its author
The idea to build the church belonged to the Polish memoirist writer Yevstakhii Ivanovskyi. He wanted to consecrate the temple in honor of Saint Clara, the patron saint of his mother, Klara Ivanovska. Before that, a masonry chapel from 1818 stood in this place. Ivanovskyi himself did not manage to realize the plan — he died in 1903, and his will was fulfilled by his heirs, Anna and Romuald Zhmigrodzkyi.
Construction lasted from 1910 to 1913. Polish craftsmen worked together with the residents of Horodkivka and the neighboring village of Zherdeli; the work was led by builder E. Yablonskyi and technologist A. Khodak. The Russian authorities did not grant permission for construction for a long time, so obtaining it cost considerable effort.
Soviet times: from a shrine to a warehouse
In 1935, the Soviet authorities closed the parish. The bells were removed, the statue of the Mother of God was thrown into the pond, and the building was turned into a village club.
During the Second World War, in 1943, services resumed — they were conducted by Father Yosyp Kozynskyi, who also helped exiled priests. The temple operated until 1959.
In 1961, the church was closed again and turned into a collective farm granary. The organ was destroyed, the icons were painted over, and the interior was essentially ruined.
Revival of the shrine
In 1989, the church was returned to the Roman Catholic community. Believers repaired the roof at their own expense, gradually restored the interior, and returned the preserved items.
Today the temple is active, cared for by the Discalced Carmelite Fathers, and the parish belongs to the Ruzhyn deanery of the Kyiv-Zhytomyr diocese. In 2013, the church celebrated its centenary — believers from surrounding parishes, guests from Kyiv and Poland gathered for the celebration.
Architecture: Gothic with Art Nouveau elements
The Church of Saint Clara is an example of Neo-Gothic architecture with elements of the Romanesque style, Art Nouveau, and eclecticism. It holds the status of an architectural landmark of local significance.
The red brick building stands on a masonry foundation, and the roof is covered with red tiles manufactured in Poland.
Special attention is drawn to:
- massive forged doors resembling medieval gates;
- buttresses that create the effect of a Gothic castle;
- the high bell tower, which once had three bells — the largest weighing about 150 kg.
The windows were once decorated with colorful stained glass, rare for rural temples, and a crystal chandelier hung under the ceiling. After restoration, the interior is once again filled with religious painting, and the organ sounds in the temple. A plaque with the names of the people who contributed to the construction is walled into the wall.
Interesting facts
- The church is named after Saint Clare, the patroness of the founder’s mother, Klara of the Ivanowski family.
- Yevstahiy Ivanowski is buried on the church grounds.
- Among the relics are a piece of the relics of Pope John Paul II, ancient icons, and a harpsichord.
- Local residents carefully maintain the grounds and decorate them with flowers.
How to get there
The church stands on Shkilna Street, in the part of Horodkivka called Zherdeli. It is most convenient to get here from Andrushivka — about 15 km via Halchyn and Nekhoroshch. The road is narrow in places, but passable for cars. It is better to travel by private car or taxi: public transport runs irregularly.
What to see nearby
The trip should be combined with other places in the region. In Halchyn, on the way to Horodkivka, is the estate of Michał Czajkowski (Sadik Pasha), in Andrushivka is the Berzynsky-Tereshchenko Palace, and in Berdychiv is the Monastery of the Discalced Carmelites, one of the most famous shrines in Ukraine.
It is also worth taking a walk around Horodkivka itself: the pond, hills, and rural landscapes create an atmosphere of peace.
Why you should go
The Church of Saint Clare is not only an architectural monument, but a place with a complex history that has survived decline and rebirth. It combines silence, beauty, and a sense of time — without crowds of tourists, but with a feeling of authenticity.
