Church of the Sacred Heart

Church of the Sacred Heart (Czech: Kostel Nejsvětějšího Srdce Páně), known locally as the Red Church (Červený kostel), stands in the Trnovany district of Teplice, in the Ústí nad Labem region of the Czech Republic. Its brick silhouette, topped by a 47-metre tower, has anchored the skyline of this part of town for more than a century.

Why is it called the "Red Church"?

The nickname has nothing to do with politics — it simply describes the building material. The church was built from red brick, with sandstone used for door frames, portals, and structural reinforcement. That contrast between deep red masonry and pale stone details gave the building such a distinctive look that locals started calling it the Red Church long before most people used its formal name.

When was it built, and who designed it?

The foundation stone was blessed on 7 December 1907, and the church was consecrated just two years later, on 24 December 1909 — a fast build for a structure of this scale. The tower was finished in 1910, while the interior, including its murals, wasn't fully completed until 1934. The architect was Gustav Adolf Jirsch, who worked locally in Teplice and designed the building in the Neo-Gothic style.

What does the church look like architecturally?

It's a three-nave basilica with a transept, a layout common to large Neo-Gothic parish churches of the era, chosen because it lets in generous light through tall side-nave windows while giving the interior a sense of scale. The tower rises 47 metres, and the building itself runs roughly 48 metres in length and 20-25 metres in width — making it one of the larger churches in the district and a dominant presence over the surrounding Trnovany streets.

Why was it built in Trnovany specifically?

The answer lies in the district's own history. Trnovany was industrializing rapidly in the late 19th century, drawing new residents and sharpening the rivalry between the local Catholic and Protestant communities. The Protestants moved first, building their own church — nicknamed the "Green Church" — between 1899 and 1905. The Catholic parish wasn't willing to be outdone and raised this much larger church just a few years later. The competing ambitions of both communities are considered one of the factors that helped Trnovany earn city status in 1910.

Is the church still in use today?

Yes. The Church of the Sacred Heart remains an active Roman Catholic parish church, part of the Diocese of Litoměřice. The Teplice-Trnovany parish holds regular services here, and the building continues to serve as a working place of worship rather than a museum piece.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is the Red Church located? On U Červeného kostela street in the Trnovany district of Teplice, in the Ústí nad Labem region.

Why is it nicknamed the "Red Church"? Because of its building material — red brick combined with sandstone details, which gives the facade its distinctive contrasting colour.

How tall is the church tower? 47 metres.

Who designed the church? Gustav Adolf Jirsch, a Teplice-based architect, working in the Neo-Gothic style.

Can visitors go inside? The church functions as an active Catholic parish, so interior access typically follows service hours rather than fixed visiting hours — it's worth checking locally before a visit.