Church of Saints Cyril and Methodius in Bílovice nad Svitavou

The Church of Saints Cyril and Methodius is the Roman Catholic parish church of Bílovice nad Svitavou, a village in the Brno-venkov District of the South Moravian Region. It was built between 1908 and 1913 to a design by the Brno architect Antonín Blažka, who blended late Neo-Gothic forms with elements of Art Nouveau and early Modernism. The building was consecrated on 20 July 1913 by Julius Koubek, dean of Bystrc.

What does the church's architecture look like?

The church has a single-nave, non-oriented body on a rectangular ground plan, with a long side chapel attached on the western side. Its optical dominant is a 34-metre-high tower, visible from much of Bílovice. The facades combine stone masonry with bands of exposed brick, a distinctive technique typical of late historicist architecture at the turn of the 20th century, giving the building a striking two-tone appearance.

What happened to the church during and after the war?

In April 1945 the church was partially damaged when Soviet forces shelled the village during the final stage of the Second World War. Post-war repairs included the addition of a choir gallery in 1946. Inside, the church preserves a sculpture of Saint Wenceslas dating from the second half of the 17th century — the oldest object in the building, predating the church itself by more than two hundred years. In autumn 2021 the church received new stained-glass windows, the first publicly accessible work by the artist Bohumír Matal to be installed in Bílovice.

Is the church a protected monument?

The building was listed on the state register of cultural monuments in 1989, but in 2020 the Czech Ministry of Culture ruled that the original listing had been made belatedly, as a result of which the monument's protected status formally lapsed at the end of 1987. Despite this administrative reversal, the church remains an active parish church and the most recognisable architectural landmark of the village.

What is the church used for today?

The building continues to serve as the parish church of the Roman Catholic parish of Bílovice nad Svitavou, part of the Diocese of Brno, hosting regular Masses and services. Its tower is a landmark visible from the surrounding hills of the Svitava river valley.

Frequently asked questions

When was the church in Bílovice nad Svitavou built? Construction took place from 1908 to 1913, and the church was consecrated on 20 July 1913.

Who designed the building? It was designed by the Brno architect Antonín Blažka, combining Neo-Gothic, Art Nouveau and Modernist elements.

How tall is the church tower? The tower, the building's dominant feature, is 34 metres tall.

Was the church damaged during the war? Yes, it was partially damaged in April 1945 when the village was shelled by Soviet forces.

What can be seen inside the church? The most notable object is a sculpture of Saint Wenceslas from the second half of the 17th century, and since 2021 the interior has featured stained-glass windows by Bohumír Matal.

Is the church officially a listed monument? Not currently — in 2020 the Ministry of Culture found that its 1989 listing had been made belatedly, meaning its monument protection had already lapsed at the end of 1987.