Church of Saint Catherina of Alexandria

The Church of Saint Catherine of Alexandria is a Baroque parish church standing in Skršice, a small village that is administratively part of České Meziříčí in the Hradec Králové Region of eastern Czechia. The single-nave building, topped with a rectangular tower on its west front, is one of the few surviving brick-and-stone witnesses to a parish history stretching back many centuries, and it is listed as a Czech cultural monument.

How old is this church really?

The parish in Skršice is first documented in 1352, making it one of the older parishes in the region. A church, however, stood here even earlier: a wooden building is believed to have been erected around 1300. That timber structure survived for centuries, but by the mid-18th century it was in such poor condition that it threatened to collapse and was ultimately torn down.

Where did the present stone church come from?

The new church was funded by Count Rudolf Colloredo. The foundation stone was laid on 8 September 1748, and the finished building was consecrated on 25 November 1752. What emerged was a Baroque, single-nave church with a presbytery, a sacristy on the north side, and a chapel on the south side, with a rectangular tower built into the west façade — the feature that still makes the church visible from a distance today.

What is worth seeing inside?

The interior furnishings — the main altar and the pulpit — date from the time of construction and remain in Baroque style. The figural decoration, including the altar statues of the church's patronesses, Saint Catherine and Saint Barbara, along with the carved decoration of the pulpit, was added in 1755. It is the work of František Decker, a sculptor active in Hradec Králové known for church commissions across the region. In front of the church stands a separate statue of the Virgin Mary from 1749, created by Matyáš Braun and František Pacák — Braun's involvement is notable, since he ranks among the most important sculptors of Czech Baroque art, a fairly high-profile name for such a small village ensemble.

How do you get to the church in Skršice?

Skršice lies right next to České Meziříčí, the municipality it belongs to, in the Hradec Králové Region of eastern Czechia. The church stands along the main road running through the village, so it is easy to spot — its tower is visible from afar and serves as a natural landmark for anyone passing through the area. The most convenient approach is by car from České Meziříčí or nearby Opočno; the surrounding Podorlicko area has a well-developed network of local roads connecting its smaller villages.

When is the best time to visit?

The church is best combined with a wider trip through Podorlicko, a region known for its Baroque sacral architecture and quiet, scenic villages. Since this is an active parish church, the interior is generally accessible during services or by prior arrangement with the parish office in České Meziříčí, while the exterior and the surrounding statue of the Virgin Mary can be viewed year-round.

Frequently asked questions

How old is the church in Skršice? The current stone building dates from 1748–1752, but the parish has existed here since at least 1352, and an earlier wooden church stood on the site as far back as around 1300.

Who paid for the current church building? Count Rudolf Colloredo funded the construction after the earlier wooden church began to threaten collapse.

What is the most valuable part of the furnishings? The Baroque main altar and pulpit, decorated in 1755 with statues of Saint Catherine and Saint Barbara by sculptor František Decker, plus the 1749 statue of the Virgin Mary in front of the church by Matyáš Braun and František Pacák.

Is the church a protected monument? Yes, it is listed in the register of cultural monuments of the Czech Republic.