Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross

The Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross is a small Roman Catholic church in Brno-Slatina, an eastern district of Brno in the Czech Republic. Its plain, mid-20th-century exterior hides a grassroots history — the building exists thanks to the efforts of local residents who turned a cemetery chapel into a proper parish church.

Where did the church come from?

The story begins with a chapel and mortuary built in Slatina in 1914. As the local community grew, the small building proved too limited for its needs. Following an initiative first led by František Kachlík, chairman of the local church association, and later carried forward by parish priest František Křehlík, the decision was made in 1947 to convert the structure into a full church. The original chapel and mortuary became the presbytery, and a new nave was added to it.

How was it built?

Construction took place in 1947, and the bell tower was added in mid-1948. The church interior measures 36 meters in length, 7.40 meters in width, and 5.40 meters in height — modest proportions typical of small parish churches built for local communities in that era. The church was consecrated on September 19, 1948, in a ceremony led by capitular vicar Josef Kratochvíl.

Did the building change afterward?

Yes. In 1994, the church was extended with a new sacristy and oratory, adapting the space to the parish's ongoing needs. Despite this addition, the building has kept its plain character, without elaborate decoration — a fairly typical example of post-war sacred architecture in what was then Czechoslovakia, built for function rather than grandeur.

What is its status today?

The Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross is not an independent parish. It operates as a filial church under the parish of Brno-Líšeň, a neighboring district of Brno. Services are held here regularly, while day-to-day administration is handled by the parish priest of Brno-Líšeň.

Why is it worth a visit?

This is not a typical stop on Brno's tourist map — there are no Gothic vaults or Baroque altars here like those found in the historic city center. Its appeal lies elsewhere, in the simplicity and authenticity of a local story: a small district's residents securing their own place of worship during difficult post-war years by transforming a modest cemetery chapel into a full-sized church. For travelers exploring Slatina as part of a walk through Brno's eastern districts, it offers a glimpse of a quieter, less-visited side of the city.

How to get there?

Brno-Slatina lies in the eastern part of Brno and is well connected to the city center by public transport. The church stands within the district, close to its main residential streets, making it easy to reach whether traveling by public transport or by car.

Frequently asked questions

When was the church in Brno-Slatina built? The current church was created in 1947 by converting an existing 1914 chapel and mortuary, with the bell tower added in mid-1948.

Who consecrated the church? It was consecrated on September 19, 1948, by capitular vicar Josef Kratochvíl.

Is the church an independent parish? No — it is a filial church belonging to the parish of Brno-Líšeň.

What changes has the church undergone since its consecration? In 1994 it was extended with a new sacristy and oratory to serve the growing needs of the parish community.