Church of Sacred Heart of Jesus Christ, Velký Osek

The Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Christ stands in Velký Osek, a village in the Kolín District of the Central Bohemian Region. Unlike many Czech churches that trace back centuries to monastic or noble foundations, this one is a distinctly 20th-century building, raised by the local community rather than inherited from an aristocratic patron.

How did the church come to be built?

The land for the new filial church was bought in 1932 by the local Union for the Construction of the Church, a citizens' association formed specifically for the project. Construction began in April 1934 under the Kolín-based builder Josef Záruba, and the entire cost was covered by a public collection among Velký Osek residents that raised 100,000 crowns — a substantial sum for a small community at the time. The building went up quickly: it was completed and consecrated the same year, on 29 June 1934, the feast day of Saints Peter and Paul, in a ceremony led by Dr. Jaroslav Kulač, a canon of St. Vitus Cathedral in Prague.

What will you see inside and out?

The church follows a simple, functional design typical of interwar parish buildings funded by local subscription rather than church or noble patronage: a rectangular nave joined to a rectangular presbytery, with a tower rising above the north facade. There's none of the ornamental heaviness of the Baroque churches scattered across the wider Kolín region — this is a modest, purpose-built place of worship.

Inside, the main altar carries a painting by the artist J. Obrovský, and a statue of the Virgin Mary was created by František Úprka, a Czech sculptor recognized for religious and folk-themed work. The choir loft holds an organ built by the workshop of Josef Rejny and Josef Černý, a piece of local craftsmanship that adds to the building's heritage value beyond its architecture alone.

How do you get there?

Velký Osek sits in the Kolín District, close to the town of Kolín itself and on the rail line connecting Prague to the eastern part of the country, so arriving by train is straightforward. The church stands in the village center and is easy to spot thanks to its tower over the north facade — no need to hunt for it down a side road, as is often the case with rural Czech chapels.

When should you visit?

As a filial church of the Roman Catholic parish of Kolín, it's used primarily for Mass and religious services, so it's worth checking the local schedule before visiting. A good opportunity to see the interior outside of service hours is the nationwide Night of Churches event, in which the Velký Osek church regularly takes part, opening its doors to visitors.

Since 2019, the building has been undergoing repairs, jointly funded and split evenly between the municipality of Velký Osek and the Roman Catholic parish of Kolín. Visitors planning a trip should keep in mind that parts of the facade or interior may be under scaffolding while the work continues.

Frequently asked questions

When was the church in Velký Osek built? Construction started in April 1934 and the church was consecrated on 29 June of the same year.

Who paid for the construction? The cost was covered entirely by a public collection among Velký Osek residents, which raised 100,000 crowns.

What is the most notable feature inside? The main altar painting by J. Obrovský, the statue of the Virgin Mary by František Úprka, and the historic organ built by the Rejny–Černý workshop.

Is the church currently open to visitors? Repairs have been underway since 2019, jointly funded by the municipality and the Kolín parish, so access may be temporarily limited — check the current Mass schedule or events like the Night of Churches before visiting.