Church of Virgin Mary the Queen (Hrušovany u Brna)

Church of Virgin Mary the Queen in Hrušovany u Brna is a modern Roman Catholic church built at the turn of the 21st century in this village near Brno, in the Brno-venkov district of the South Moravian Region. It is a relatively young place of worship, and its construction was an unprecedented event in the village's centuries-long history.

Why did the village only get a church in the 20th century?

Throughout its history, Hrušovany u Brna never had its own parish church — the only structure connected to religious life in the village was a masonry bell tower built back in 1783. This changed at the end of the 1990s, when local residents and the Catholic community established a foundation dedicated to funding a new church. The fund was formally set up in 1997, and the symbolic launch of the project had national significance: the cornerstone for the future church was blessed by Pope John Paul II during a mass held on Letná plain in Prague as part of his pilgrimage to the Czech Republic.

Who designed the church and how was it built?

The design was created by Brno-based architect Lea Vojtová. Construction began in 2000, and the rough structure of the main nave was completed that same year. The tower followed in 2001, and in 2002 a bell was ceremonially installed — the same bell that still calls parishioners to services today. The entire building process was finished in 2004, unfolding in stages as the local community gradually raised the necessary funds.

When and by whom was the church consecrated?

The church was formally consecrated on 21 August 2004 by the Bishop of Brno, Vojtěch Cikrle. Since then, it has served as the main Catholic place of worship for the residents of Hrušovany u Brna, replacing the far more modest religious infrastructure the village had relied on for over two centuries — essentially just the 18th-century bell tower.

What should you know before visiting?

The church stands in the central part of Hrušovany u Brna, a village located close to Brno, which makes it easily reachable both for local residents and for visitors exploring the area around the Moravian capital. As an active parish church, it primarily serves the religious needs of the local community, and its relatively recent history makes it a notable example of contemporary sacred architecture in South Moravia, built thanks to a grassroots initiative of local residents.

Frequently asked questions

When was the church in Hrušovany u Brna built? Construction took place between 2000 and 2004: the main nave was built in 2000, the tower in 2001, and the bell installed in 2002. The whole project was completed and the church consecrated in 2004.

Who designed the church? The architect behind the project was Lea Vojtová from Brno.

Did Hrušovany u Brna have a church before this one? No — for centuries the village had no parish church of its own. The only earlier religious structure was a masonry bell tower dating from 1783.

Who consecrated the church, and when? The church was consecrated on 21 August 2004 by the Bishop of Brno, Vojtěch Cikrle.

What was Pope John Paul II's connection to the church's construction? In 1997 he blessed the church's cornerstone during a mass on Letná plain in Prague, symbolically marking the start of the building project.