Church of Saint Procopius

The Church of Saint Procopius stands in the village of Dlouhá Třebová, in the Ústí nad Orlicí District of the Pardubice Region in eastern Bohemia. Built in a neo-Gothic style, it is the most recognisable landmark in the village and serves as a branch church dedicated to Dlouhá Třebová's patron saint, Saint Procopius.

When was the church built?

Talk of building a proper church in the village dates back to the early 19th century, but the project took decades to materialise. The foundations were laid between 1868 and 1870, yet construction was not finished until 1905–1906. The finished building followed the pseudo-Gothic (neo-Gothic) style that was fashionable for rural parish churches across Bohemia and Moravia around the turn of the 20th century.

What does the church look like today?

The church's current appearance dates from a major renovation completed in 2002. The façade was repainted snow-white with cream-coloured architectural trim, while the roof was finished in a steel-grey tone. The combination makes the building stand out clearly against the surrounding village rooftops and open countryside, visible from some distance away.

Why is the church's bell historically significant?

Mounted in the bell tower is a bell named Prokop, cast in 1753 – more than a century before the church itself was completed. It came from an earlier, decommissioned belfry and was only installed in its current tower once the new building was finished. During the First World War, Austro-Hungarian authorities ordered church bells across the empire to be confiscated and melted down for the war effort. Residents of Dlouhá Třebová took the bell down under cover of night and hid it, saving it from destruction. Because of this, Prokop survives to this day and is considered the oldest technical monument in the entire village.

What else is worth knowing about the area?

The church sits among typical rural buildings for the region. Nearby stands a statue of Saint Procopius, itself protected as a cultural monument alongside the church. Together the two form a small but well-preserved piece of local religious heritage, occasionally seen by travellers passing through the Ústí nad Orlicí District on routes toward Pardubice or Hradec Králové. For anyone touring eastern Bohemia, it is a modest yet historically interesting example of rural sacred architecture.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which saint is the church dedicated to? The church is dedicated to Saint Procopius, the patron saint of Dlouhá Třebová.

When was the church completed? Foundations were laid between 1868 and 1870, but construction was only finished in 1905–1906.

What is the oldest surviving element of the church? The bell named Prokop, cast in 1753, predates the church building itself and is considered the village's oldest technical monument. It was hidden by local residents during the First World War to save it from confiscation.

Has the church been renovated recently? Yes, a major renovation completed in 2002 gave it its current white façade with cream trim and steel-grey roof.