Church of Saint Joseph

The Church of Saint Joseph in Úherce is a Neo-Romanesque filial church standing in the northwestern corner of the village square in Úherce, a small settlement in the Pilsen Region, roughly 1.5 km south of Nýřany. Built at the turn of the 20th century, it remains the most recognizable landmark of this modest village.

What was on this site before the current church was built?

Úherce first appears in written records in 1213, when King Přemysl Otakar I confirmed the donation of the village to a convent of Premonstratensian nuns in Chotěšov. For centuries the settlement was tied to that religious order, and an earlier Baroque church once stood on the village square. That older building eventually fell into such disrepair that it had to be closed to worshippers in 1899 and was demolished the following year to clear space for a new construction.

When and how was today's church built?

The foundation stone of the new church was laid on 19 March 1900 — deliberately chosen as the feast day of Saint Joseph, the church's patron. The design, in the Neo-Romanesque style, came from architect František Josef Erhart. Construction was completed in 1901, and the new building replaced the demolished Baroque church on the very same spot, in the corner of the village square.

What condition is the church in today?

The church has not been used for regular services for some time and is currently in poor structural condition. Since 2006 it has been cared for by a dedicated foundation established to restore the building, the Nadace pro obnovu kostela sv. Josefa v Úhercích. Repair work is carried out with financial support from the Czech Ministry of Culture, the municipality of Úherce, and other sponsors, gradually saving the monument from further decay.

Where exactly is the church located?

The church stands on the village square of Úherce, in the Pilsen Region, close to the town of Nýřany (about 1.5 km to the north). Its geographic coordinates are 49.701072 N, 13.214022 E, which makes it easy to locate for visitors arriving by car or on foot along the surrounding village routes.

Frequently asked questions

What is the church in Úherce called and who is it dedicated to? It is the Church of Saint Joseph (Czech: Kostel svatého Josefa), a Neo-Romanesque building dedicated to the saint whose feast day, 19 March, was chosen for the laying of the foundation stone.

Who designed the church? The building was designed by architect František Josef Erhart, who chose the Neo-Romanesque style for the new church raised between 1900 and 1901.

Did an earlier church stand on this site? Yes. A Baroque church previously stood in the same location; it was closed in 1899 due to its poor condition and demolished in 1900 to make way for the new Neo-Romanesque building.

Can the church be visited today, or does it hold services? The church is not currently used by a parish for regular worship and is in poor condition. Since 2006 a dedicated foundation has been working to restore it, with support from the Ministry of Culture and the municipality of Úherce.

How do you get to the church in Úherce? Úherce lies about 1.5 km south of Nýřany in the Pilsen Region; the church stands directly on the village square, at coordinates 49.701072 N, 13.214022 E.