About this place
The Church of the Czechoslovak Hussite Church in Kolín is a functionalist landmark standing on Husovo náměstí, in the southeastern part of the town's historic centre. Also known locally as the Husův sbor, it ranks among the most striking examples of functionalist sacred architecture in the Czech Republic and draws visitors interested both in the local Hussite congregation's history and in interwar modernist design.
How did this church come to be built in Kolín?
The town council granted the congregation a building plot on 20 April 1927, a step pushed through by the parish's third priest, Jan Amos Tabach. The first design, by architect František Potůček, was rejected twice by the council. Approval finally went to a plan submitted by Prague architect Vladimír Walenfels, a former student of Jan Kotěra. The foundation stone was laid on 28 June 1931, and builder Josef Záruba completed the structure between August 1931 and June 1932 — the whole church went up in under a year.
What makes the building's architecture distinctive?
The church's overall form was shaped to resemble a seated dove when viewed from outside, a symbolic reference to the Holy Spirit rendered through pure architectural massing rather than literal ornament. The western entrance facade is rectangular, rising into a slender 27-metre tower crowned with a Hussite sun and chalice, both traditional emblems of the Hussite movement. In front of the church stands a monument to Master Jan Hus by František Bílek, one of the leading Czech sculptors of the twentieth century.
What does the interior look like?
Inside, a rectangular hall measuring 17 by 12 metres is covered by a shell-like vault that climbs gradually from five metres above the presbytery to twelve metres above the choir loft, an effect meant to draw the space upward. The interior finish stays plain and true to the functionalist idiom of the period, without heavy decoration. In 1954 the Organa production cooperative of Kutná Hora built a two-manual organ with twenty-three stops for the church, and it is still used during services today.
Can visitors go inside?
The church is open to visitors during services, held regularly on Sundays at 9:00 AM. That is the most reliable way to see the interior and hear the historic organ in use. Access outside service times may be limited, so a Sunday morning visit is the safest bet for anyone planning to stop by.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was the Church of the Czechoslovak Hussite Church in Kolín built? Construction ran from August 1931 to June 1932, with the foundation stone laid on 28 June 1931.
Who designed the building? The realized design came from Prague architect Vladimír Walenfels, a student of Jan Kotěra. An earlier proposal by architect František Potůček had been rejected twice by the town council.
Why does the church have such an unusual shape? Its exterior form was designed to evoke a seated dove, a symbolic gesture expressed purely through architecture rather than figurative decoration.
When can visitors enter the church? The building is accessible during services, which take place regularly on Sundays starting at 9:00 AM.
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