Church of Saint Margaret in Zhoř

The Church of Saint Margaret stands at the heart of the village of Zhoř, in the Jihlava district of the Vysočina region in the Czech Republic. It is a modest parish church with a surprisingly long history, sitting at coordinates 49.442519, 15.771594.

Where exactly is the church located?

The building sits right in the centre of Zhoř, within today's Jihlava district. It serves as the parish church of the Roman Catholic parish of Zhoř u Jihlavy, which covers the village itself along with the surrounding settlements that belong to the parish.

What is the history behind the church?

The first written mention of the village of Zhoř dates back to 1298. Just decades later, in 1339, records already describe a parish here with a Romanesque church dedicated to Saint Margaret — early evidence of how long this site has served as a place of worship. Around 1400, a Romanesque church stood on the very spot where the present building now stands, dedicated to the same patron saint.

The parish's fortunes changed in 1552, when the village passed into the hands of the Protestant Chroustenský family of Malovary. As a result, the parish went without a resident priest until 1620 — nearly seven decades without permanent clergy. The church owes its present appearance to a rebuilding carried out in 1765, which gave the building the form visitors see today.

What does the church look like today?

It is a single-nave, late Baroque building. Rectangular annexes flank the chancel on either side, while a prismatic tower rises on the west front — a distinctive silhouette visible from a distance as one approaches the village.

What is known about the church bells?

The tradition of bells in the church goes back to the 14th century, when the first ones were hung. Over time the set was expanded: a bell dedicated to Saint Florian was added in 1802, another dedicated to Saint Leopold followed in 1848, and a further bell joined the church in 1888. This history of additions shows that, despite its modest size, the village continued investing in its church's furnishings over the centuries.

Why is Zhoř worth a visit?

The Church of Saint Margaret is a good example of a rural church where several historical layers overlap: Romanesque origins reaching back to the Middle Ages, a Protestant era without a resident priest, and finally a Baroque rebuilding that shaped the structure into its current form. For anyone interested in the sacred architecture of the Vysočina region, it offers an authentic stop away from the main tourist routes.

Frequently asked questions

Who is the church in Zhoř dedicated to? The church is dedicated to Saint Margaret and serves as the parish church of the Roman Catholic parish of Zhoř u Jihlavy.

How old is the church? A parish with a Romanesque church of the same dedication is documented as early as 1339, and around 1400 a Romanesque building stood on the present site. The church's current late Baroque form dates from a rebuilding in 1765.

Did the church always have a resident priest? No. Between 1552 and 1620, while the village belonged to the Protestant Chroustenský family of Malovary, the parish had no resident clergy.

What architectural style does the church represent? It is a single-nave, late Baroque building with rectangular annexes beside the chancel and a prismatic tower on its west side.

Have any historic bells survived in the church? Yes, the tradition of bells dates back to the 14th century, with further bells — dedicated to Saint Florian and Saint Leopold — added in 1802 and 1848, and another one in 1888.