After the completion of the construction, the main altar was built. The altar is surmounted by a massive cross with the Crucified as a part of it. There are two rows of 23 symmetrically arranged pews in the main nave . The three aisles are separated from each other by massive round columns. The ceiling of the main nave is coffered, the side aisles have flat ceilings. All three bells have been transferred from the old church of St. Martin. The oldest and largest, George, is original, dating back to the first half of the 18th century. The other two are of younger date.

The solemn consecration of the Church of Saints Cyril and Methodius took place on 8 October 1949 in the presence of the Archbishop of Nitra, Dr. Eduard Néczey. The father of the idea of the new church, vdp. Štefan Bitter.

The interior of the church has undergone significant changes in recent years. The Stations of the Cross have become part of it. The front of the sanctuary was filled with wooden sculptures of the Thessalonian saints. In 1976, Terchova´s stonemasons carved a sacrificial altar. In addition to the artistic imagery, the impressive windows evoke the Cyril and Methodius theme in the interior. They depict motifs from the Cyril and Methodius period of our history through etchings. Like the interior, the exterior of the church has changed beyond recognition over the years. From the last period we should mention especially the inventive flower pots, the epoxy statues of the faithful above the main entrance, or the sculpture of the Taking down of the Cross, located in front of the entrance to the sacristy. Since 1990, the main tower has been decorated with a gilded two-armed cross.

History of the Nativity scene in Terchová

An indispensable part of Christmas in Terchova in recent years is the Nativity scene, which on the eve of the most beautiful holiday of the year is installed in the local Roman Catholic church dedicated to Saint Cyril and Methodius. It is the work of local men, carvers, designers, electro-mechanics, who have put a piece of their own moulding and free time into this now widely – known project.

The idea to create a symbolic nativity scene was born before Christmas in 1976. Its author was a well-known village carver Štefan Hanuliak, who together with his friends Jozef Holúbek and Štefan Krištofík prepared a nice surprise for the local believers at Christmas of that year. They conceived their joint work in three parts. The first one presents the “old” Terchová with its crafts and characteristic colouring, the second one the “modest” Betlehem, the place of Jesus’ birth, and the third one the “sumptuous” Jerusalem. Over time, the plastic figures have been replaced by figures made of lime wood. It was the idea of the local clergyman, Vdp. Jozef Šabu. Since about the end of the 1970s, the designers have focused exclusively on lime wood. After the death of Štefan Hanuliak, his sons Jozef, Ján, František and their namesake Ján Hanuliak, followed up on the noble idea with the aforementioned masters.

Every year you can admire something new at the Nativity scene in Terchová. Religious scenes from Bethlehem and Jerusalem are added, the atmosphere of historical Terchova is evoked by other folk crafts and workshops of masters. And only the folk artists of Terchová know what the final form of the work will be. All three parts will continue to be tastefully supplemented with new bizarre scenes and figures.

Source: terchova.uteczmesta.eu