Protestant church in Strmilov

The Protestant Church in Strmilov is a modest but distinctive place of worship belonging to the Evangelical Church of Czech Brethren, standing on Studentská street in Strmilov, a small town in South Bohemia, Czech Republic. It is a completely different building from the Catholic Church of Saint Giles located in the same town — the two churches sit close together but differ in denomination, history and architecture, which makes them easy to mix up when planning a visit.

What is the history of the Protestant church in Strmilov?

The foundation stone was laid on 19 July 1914, just before the outbreak of the First World War. Despite the difficult period, construction moved forward quickly and the church was consecrated on 25 July 1915. The building was raised on the initiative of the local Protestant congregation, which needed its own place of worship separate from the town's long-established Catholic parish.

What does the church look like architecturally?

The church is a single-nave building on a rectangular floor plan. Unlike most traditional Catholic churches, it is not oriented along the classic east–west axis — its presbytery was attached at a right angle toward the northwest. A slender, prism-shaped tower rises above the entrance facade and is the most recognizable feature of the building from the outside. The interior is kept simple, in line with Protestant liturgical aesthetics, and is fitted with an organ.

What else can visitors see around the church?

Next to the church stands the parsonage, and beyond it, across a meadow, lies a small cemetery connected to the congregation. In the church garden, look out for a metal sculpture by Jaroslav Pechar depicting a figure playing a jaw harp (locally called "nohejka"), a small folk stringed instrument. It is an unusual artistic touch, rarely found at religious sites of this scale, and makes a handy landmark for anyone locating the church in this small town.

Who should visit this church?

The Protestant church in Strmilov will appeal mainly to visitors interested in early 20th-century sacred architecture and to travelers exploring the Vysočina region and the South Bohemian borderland, who often combine this stop with nearby Jindřichův Hradec or Český Rudolec. It is also a worthwhile stop for anyone curious about the religious diversity found in small Czech towns — two separate congregations, each with their own church building, exist side by side here.

Frequently asked questions

Which denomination does the church in Strmilov belong to? The building belongs to the Evangelical Church of Czech Brethren, a Reformed Protestant church, not to the town's Catholic parish.

When was the Protestant church in Strmilov built? Construction began in 1914 and the church was consecrated in 1915.

Is this the same building as the Church of Saint Giles in Strmilov? No. The Church of Saint Giles is a separate Catholic building in the same town — the Protestant church stands elsewhere and differs in both architecture and history.

What can visitors see near the church besides the building itself? The parsonage, a small cemetery across the meadow, and a sculpture by Jaroslav Pechar in the church garden.