Church of Saints Procopius and Barbara (Kunčice pod Ondřejníkem)

The Church of Saints Procopius and Barbara in Kunčice pod Ondřejníkem is a wooden church that ended up in Moravian Silesia after a journey from a completely different corner of Europe. Located in the Frýdek-Místek District of the Moravian-Silesian Region, it counts among the region's most unusual sacred landmarks — simply because its story began hundreds of kilometers to the east.

Where did this church come from?

The building was constructed at the turn of the 17th and 18th centuries in Carpathian Ruthenia, in the village of Hliňanec, as a typical Carpathian Greek Catholic wooden church built in the Boyko architectural style — even though Kunčice itself lies outside the ethnic Boyko region. In 1928 the structure was purchased by Eduard Šebela, then general director of the Vítkovice coal mines. The wooden building was dismantled, transported to Moravian Silesia, and reassembled in Kunčice pod Ondřejníkem in 1931. This wasn't an isolated case — similar small Carpathian churches were relocated around the same time to the Kinský Gardens in Prague, as well as to Nová Paka, Blansko, Hradec Králové, and Dobříkov.

Why are the patrons miners?

On August 23, 1931, Bishop Jan Stavěl re-consecrated the relocated church, dedicating it to the patron saints of miners, Saint Procopius and Saint Barbara, and celebrated the first Mass in its new home. The choice of patrons was no coincidence: founder Eduard Šebela had deep ties to coal mining, and the Frýdek-Místek region had long been associated with extractive industry.

What is there to see?

The church's most distinctive feature is its three stepped towers — the tallest above the entrance, the smallest above the presbytery. This layout is not decorative alone: it reflects the interior's division into three separate sections, following Eastern liturgical rules. The entire structure is built in wood using traditional Carpathian carpentry techniques without nails, which is itself a rarity in this part of Moravia. Inside, the church has preserved its historic iconostasis — the icon-covered wall separating the nave from the sanctuary, a feature typical of Greek Catholic and Orthodox churches but rarely found in predominantly Roman Catholic Czechia.

How has the building been maintained?

At the turn of 2009 and 2010, the roof covering was repaired, protecting the wooden structure from moisture damage. Between 2014 and 2015, the iconostasis was restored, bringing back its original appearance and safeguarding the valuable painted panels.

How do you get there?

Kunčice pod Ondřejníkem sits in the Moravian-Silesian Beskids, close to Frýdek-Místek and Frýdlant nad Ostravicí, so driving from Ostrava or from the Polish side of the border usually takes under an hour. The church stands in a quiet rural setting at the foot of Ondřejník hill, making it a natural stop for anyone combining sightseeing with a trip into the Beskids.

Frequently asked questions

Can visitors go inside the church? It functions as an active parish church, so access to the interior depends on Mass times and opening hours — it's worth checking before you arrive.

Why is a Moravian church built entirely of wood? Because it isn't originally Moravian at all — it was brought here whole from Carpathian Ruthenia in 1931, making it an imported landmark rather than a product of local building tradition.

What do the three towers represent? They symbolize the church interior's threefold division according to Eastern liturgical practice, with each tower marking a distinct functional zone.

Who were the church's patron saints chosen for? Saints Procopius and Barbara are traditionally venerated as patrons of miners, reflecting both the founder's mining background and the region's industrial history.