Evangelical church

The Evangelical Church in Hlučín, nicknamed the Red Church (Czech: Červený kostel), is one of three heritage-protected churches in the Czech town of Hlučín, in the Moravian-Silesian Region. It takes its name from the raw, unplastered red brick used in its construction, and it is a distinct building from the town's Catholic Church of St. John the Baptist.

How to get there?

Hlučín lies in the Moravian-Silesian Region, in the Opava District, close to the Polish border and a short distance from Ostrava. The town is well connected by regional roads, and the Red Church stands in its central area, making it an easy stop on foot during a visit to the town. It pairs naturally with a look at Hlučín's other historic buildings, including the nearby Catholic parish church.

Why was this church built?

The church was built at the initiative of Hlučín's local Evangelical community, which for years had to make do with services held only once a month by a deacon traveling in from Racibórz (Ratibor). The desire for a permanent place of worship of their own led to the decision to build a church in the town. The foundation stone was laid on 3 June 1862, and construction, overseen by Vilém Wetekamp, administrator of the Rothschild family estates in Benešov, was completed in a remarkably short time. The design came from the Berlin architect Eduard Römer (1814–1895).

What is there to see?

The building follows the historicist, pseudo-style trend common in 19th-century church architecture and was laid out on a Greek-cross plan, meaning its four arms are of equal length. A polygonal turret rises where the roof ridges meet, capped with a sharp, pointed spire. The whole structure is left in exposed brick rather than plastered, giving it the warm, reddish tone visible from a distance that gave rise to its popular name.

How has the building changed over time?

In 1995, the local Evangelical congregation, unable to cover the cost of necessary repairs, handed the church over to the town of Hlučín. Between 1996 and 2001, it underwent extensive reconstruction that halted the building's deterioration and restored its presentable appearance. Since then, the Red Church has served as a multi-purpose cultural venue for the town, hosting events for residents and visitors rather than functioning solely as a place of worship.

When to visit?

Since the church now operates as a cultural center, it's worth checking the local events schedule before visiting if you want to see the interior during an open event or exhibition. The building's exterior, with its distinctive red brick facade and turret, is worth seeing at any time of year, and a walk through central Hlučín can easily be combined with a visit to nearby landmarks.

Frequently asked questions

Why is it called the Red Church? Because of its building material — the church was constructed from raw, unplastered red brick, which gave it its distinctive look and its local nickname.

When was the church built? The foundation stone was laid on 3 June 1862, and construction was completed quickly under the supervision of Vilém Wetekamp, following a design by Berlin architect Eduard Römer.

Is this the same church as the Catholic church in Hlučín? No. The Red Church is a separate Evangelical building, distinct from the Catholic Church of St. John the Baptist located in the same town.

What is the church used for today? Since being handed over to the town in 1995 and reconstructed between 1996 and 2001, the building has served as a multi-purpose cultural center for Hlučín.