Church of Saint Andrew (Jestřebí)

St. Andrew's Church in Jestřebí is a classicist parish church standing in the village of Jestřebí, in the Česká Lípa District of the Liberec Region in northern Czechia. The building is protected as a cultural monument of the Czech Republic and has served as the local parish church for more than two centuries.

What is the history of the church in Jestřebí?

The first parish church in this area, in the former settlement of Krušina (today's Jestřebí), stood on rocky ground below the local castle, near the cemetery that is still in use today. It was most likely dedicated to the Virgin Mary and disappeared sometime in the 17th century. After it was lost, local residents had to travel to nearby Pavlovice to attend services.

Construction of the current church was ordered by Emperor Joseph II. The classicist building was completed in 1780, and once the interior was finished, it was consecrated on 30 November 1781 by Wenzel Hock, archdeacon of Hornopolicko. Services began soon after, although the building work was only fully finished in 1790, when its interior was painted by the noted Jesuit painter Josef Kramolín.

What does the interior look like?

The church holds three altars. The main altar, dedicated to St. Andrew, features illusionistic classicist architecture. On either side of the triumphal arch stand two side altars — the Sacred Heart of Jesus on the right and the Virgin Mary on the left. The overall design reflects the classicist style typical of churches built during the Josephine church reforms of the late 18th century.

Why is it worth a visit?

The church in Jestřebí is a good example of sacral architecture from the era of the Josephine reforms, when new parish churches were built across the Habsburg monarchy to replace older buildings that were too small or had fallen into disrepair. Josef Kramolín's interior paintings add artistic value to the structure, combining classicist architecture with the illusionistic wall painting characteristic of the period. For visitors interested in the history of the Českolipsko region and 18th-century sacral architecture, the church is worth a short stop while exploring the area around Jestřebí and its nearby castle.

Frequently asked questions

When was St. Andrew's Church in Jestřebí built? Construction was completed in 1780, and the church was consecrated on 30 November 1781. The interior, including its paintings, was finished in 1790.

Who ordered the church to be built? Emperor Joseph II ordered the construction of the new parish church.

How many altars does the church have? The interior contains three altars: the main altar of St. Andrew and two side altars dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Virgin Mary.

Was there an earlier church in Jestřebí? Yes. An older parish church stood on rocky ground below the castle, near today's cemetery, likely dedicated to the Virgin Mary. It disappeared during the 17th century.

Who painted the church interior? The interior was painted by the Jesuit painter Josef Kramolín in 1790.