Kristův kostel

The Evangelical Church in Ostrava is one of the most distinctive religious buildings in the Czech part of Upper Silesia, popularly nicknamed the "Red Church" by locals. Built in a Neo-Renaissance style at the start of the 20th century, its brick facade stands out sharply against the stuccoed, historicist and Art Nouveau architecture surrounding it in central Ostrava.

Why was the church built?

The building went up between 1905 and 1907 for a Protestant congregation that was growing rapidly as Ostrava industrialized and workers poured into the city's mines and steelworks. The design was chosen through an architectural competition announced in 1904, which drew roughly a hundred submissions. The winning entry came from the Vienna-based architects Karl Troll and Ludvík Faigl, whose concept blended forms borrowed from Dutch Renaissance architecture with contemporary Art Nouveau touches — a combination that gave the church its unmistakable silhouette.

Where does the nickname "Red Church" come from?

The name has nothing to do with religious symbolism; it simply reflects the color of the exposed brick used for the facade. While many neighboring buildings were finished with light-colored plaster, this church kept its raw brick surface, and Ostrava residents quickly started calling it the "Red Church" instead of using its formal name. A second, equally common name — the Church of Christ — refers directly to its dedication.

How was it built on such waterlogged ground?

The site chosen for the church sat on heavily saturated soil, a serious engineering problem by early-20th-century standards. To secure a stable foundation, builders drove several hundred wooden piles deep into the ground before laying the structure on top of them. That foundation work has held up remarkably well — the building has stood in good structural condition for well over a century despite the difficult terrain.

What happened to the church after World War II?

The building's history mirrors the turbulent postwar history of the region. Originally tied to Ostrava's German-speaking Evangelical congregation, it changed hands after 1945 amid the broader postwar transfer of property previously belonging to German-speaking religious communities in Silesia. In the following decades, Czech Protestant congregations used the building, including the Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession.

Is it a protected monument?

Yes — the church was entered into the Czech Republic's register of cultural monuments on 3 May 1958, formally recognizing its architectural and historical value. Located in the Ostrava-město district, right in the city center, it remains an active place of worship while also drawing visitors interested in the historicist and Art Nouveau architecture of Upper Silesia.

Frequently asked questions

When was the Evangelical Church in Ostrava built? Construction took place between 1905 and 1907.

Who designed the church? The design, selected through an architectural competition, came from Karl Troll and Ludvík Faigl.

Why is it called the "Red Church"? Because of the color of its exposed brick facade, which contrasts with the surrounding buildings.

Is the building a protected monument? Yes, it has been listed in the Czech register of cultural monuments since 3 May 1958.

What architectural style does the church represent? Neo-Renaissance, drawing on Dutch Renaissance forms with Art Nouveau influences.