Church of Corpus Christi

The Church of Corpus Christi in Počátky is a small cemetery church standing on Žižkova Street, right on the grounds of the town's cemetery. It's easy to walk past without noticing if you're only passing through the main streets — but it holds several centuries of local history from this corner of the Vysočina region.

How old is this church and where did it come from?

The church was built in the second half of the 16th century. The earliest written record of it dates back to 1565 and survives in the town's orphan-fund registers, which note that a certain Pavel Havrda donated money toward repairing the church and its adjoining ossuary. A charnel house next to a cemetery church was a common arrangement at the time — burial space around the building was often limited, and after some years remains were moved into structures like this one.

By the end of the 17th century, the building had fallen into disrepair, prompting a thorough Baroque reconstruction between 1705 and 1711. The work is attributed to Domenico de Angelis, a name typical of the Italian builders who were active across Bohemia and Moravia in that period. Very little of the original 16th-century structure survived the rebuild — mainly a doorway carved with the coat of arms of the Lords of Hradec, the noble family who once owned the surrounding estates.

What will you find inside and outside?

The church has a three-nave layout closed off by a triangular presbytery — meaning the interior is divided into three parallel sections, and the altar end doesn't finish in a flat wall but in an angled, polygonal one. This is a common feature of Baroque reworkings of older, Gothic-rooted churches.

The interior furnishings were paid for by Vincenc Švehla, a parish priest from Smíchov in Prague. Thanks to his funding, five altars were completed in 1713–1714, their creation attributed to sculptor František Baugut. These altars, made shortly after the Baroque rebuild, remain the church's main artistic feature today.

Since the church sits within an active cemetery, visitors should behave accordingly when stopping by. The building has been listed as a protected cultural monument since 1963, confirming its historical and architectural value to the region.

How do you get there, and what else is nearby?

The church stands on Žižkova Street in Počátky, right next to the cemetery — a useful landmark while exploring the town on foot. Notably, this is also the starting point of a local nature and heritage trail called "Cestou starých soukenických mistrů Počáteckých" (Along the Path of the Old Cloth-Making Masters of Počátky), which traces the town's centuries-long tradition of textile craftsmanship. It's an easy way to pair a visit to the church with a short walk exploring the area's history.

When is the best time to visit?

Since this is a cemetery church rather than the town's main parish church, access can be limited — it's best to plan a daytime visit when the cemetery grounds are open. For anyone interested in sacred architecture or regional history, it makes a worthwhile addition to a walk around central Počátky.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where exactly is the Church of Corpus Christi in Počátky? On Žižkova Street, within the grounds of the local cemetery.

How old is the church? Construction dates to the second half of the 16th century, with the first written mention from 1565. Its current Baroque appearance comes from a reconstruction carried out between 1705 and 1711.

What's the most valuable feature inside? Five altars from 1713–1714, attributed to sculptor František Baugut and funded by parish priest Vincenc Švehla.

Is there anything else worth seeing nearby? Yes — a heritage trail dedicated to the town's historic cloth-making masters begins right at the church, making it a good spot to combine with a short walk.