Church of Holy Spirit (Arnultovice)

Church of the Holy Spirit is a small neo-Renaissance church in Arnultovice, a part of the town of Nový Bor in the Česká Lípa district of the Liberec Region, northern Czechia. It stands on raised ground above the village, on Štursova street.

When was the church in Arnultovice built?

The building went up between 1887 and 1888, raised by the local community for the Old Catholic Church. It was originally dedicated to Our Lady of Perpetual Help and served as a modest prayer chapel for the residents of Arnultovice.

How did ownership of the church change over time?

At some point the building passed into the hands of the town of Nový Bor, which held onto it for decades before handing it over free of charge to a local religious community in 2006. The following year, in 2007, the church underwent a major renovation costing 700,000 Czech korunas, carried out with help from the local congregation of the Evangelical Church of Czech Brethren.

Where does its current dedication come from?

Once the renovation was finished, the church was reconsecrated on 8 May 2008 under a new dedication — to the Holy Spirit. The ceremony was led by Bishop Štěpán Klásek of the Czechoslovak Hussite Church, and it is this congregation that has used the building as its parish church in Nový Bor ever since.

What does the church look like architecturally?

The building is built in the neo-Renaissance style typical of small churches raised in the region toward the end of the 19th century. Its elevated position above the rest of Arnultovice makes it visible from several points around the village and gives it a clear presence in this part of Nový Bor.

Who uses the church today, and when are services held?

The Nový Bor congregation of the Czechoslovak Hussite Church now runs the church. Services take place on Sundays at 9 am, aimed mainly at younger churchgoers, and on Thursdays at 6 pm. In summer, the local congregation of the Evangelical Church of Czech Brethren also holds its own services here.

How do you get there, and what should visitors know beforehand?

Arnultovice is a part of Nový Bor, a town in the Česká Lípa district of the Liberec Region in northern Czechia. The church stands on Štursova street, visible from the main routes through the village, making it easy to find on foot or by car from the centre of Nový Bor. Since it's a small, active parish church rather than a museum piece, the best times to see the interior are around service times or during events that open churches to visitors, such as the annual Night of Churches (Noc kostelů).

Frequently asked questions

How old is the church in Arnultovice? It was built between 1887 and 1888, making it well over 130 years old.

Was it always dedicated to the Holy Spirit? No. As an Old Catholic chapel it was originally dedicated to Our Lady of Perpetual Help; the current dedication dates only from its 2008 reconsecration.

Who looks after the church today? It has belonged to a local religious community since 2006, and since 2008 it has mainly been used by the Nový Bor congregation of the Czechoslovak Hussite Church.

When are services held? Sundays at 9 am and Thursdays at 6 pm, plus summer services held by the local Evangelical congregation.