Church of Saint Joseph

Church of Saint Joseph stands in Krasice, a district of Prostějov in the Prostějov District of the Olomouc Region in Moravia. It is a small neo-Gothic church built in the late 19th century on the site of an earlier baroque chapel.

Where exactly is the church located?

The building stands on Filippovo náměstí in Krasice, a formerly independent village that was incorporated into Prostějov in 1950. The church's coordinates are approximately 49.467°N, 17.083°E. Krasice lies west of Prostějov's historic center and still retains the layout of its old village square, around which the district's buildings are grouped today.

What is the history behind the church?

An earlier baroque chapel with the same dedication, dating from 1715, once stood on this spot, at what was then the village's main crossroads. As the growing local community outgrew the small chapel, its patron, Františka Všetičková, financed the construction of a new, larger church in its place. The foundation stone was laid on 3 June 1893, and the church was consecrated on 28 October 1894. The older chapel itself was not demolished until much later, in 1948. The church underwent a major restoration in 1993.

What does the church's architecture look like?

The church is a single-nave neo-Gothic building with a non-oriented layout, meaning its axis does not follow the traditional east-west alignment used in most church architecture. One of its distinctive features is a slender, four-sided tower set into the eastern facade, rather than above the main entrance as is common elsewhere. The chancel is polygonal and set slightly back from the main body of the nave, with a sacristy attached along the same axis. The overall composition follows the tall, vertical proportions typical of late 19th-century sacred architecture.

What can visitors see around the church?

A statue of Saint John of Nepomuk stands in front of the entrance - a saint widely venerated across the former Czech and Moravian lands and often placed near churches and bridges. A decorative cross also stands on the church grounds. The building is well preserved today and can be freely viewed from the outside.

Why is it worth a stop?

The Church of Saint Joseph is a modest but coherently designed example of late 19th-century historicist sacred architecture, still standing more than 130 years after its consecration. For visitors exploring Prostějov and its outlying districts, it offers a glimpse of how formerly independent villages such as Krasice once had their own centers of religious life, long before being absorbed into the growing town.

Frequently Asked Questions

When was the Church of Saint Joseph in Krasice built? The foundation stone was laid on 3 June 1893, and the church was consecrated on 28 October 1894.

What stood on this site before the church? An earlier baroque chapel with the same dedication, built in 1715, stood here until it was demolished in 1948.

In what architectural style was the church built? It was built in the neo-Gothic style, with a single-nave, non-oriented interior layout.

Where exactly is the church located? It stands on Filippovo náměstí in Krasice, a district of Prostějov in the Prostějov District of the Olomouc Region.

Is there anything else to see near the church? Yes, a statue of Saint John of Nepomuk stands in front of the entrance, and a decorative cross is located on the church grounds.