Protestant church in Újezd u Brna

The Protestant church in Újezd u Brna is a modest brick church standing in what was once the independent village of Rychmanov, now part of Újezd u Brna in the Brno-venkov district of the South Moravian Region. It tells the story of a local Protestant community from the turn of the 20th century, and it still functions today as an active Evangelical church.

Where did the Protestant community in Rychmanov come from?

Rychmanov was, for much of its history, a largely Evangelical village. Its distinctive religious character goes back to the last quarter of the 18th century, when settlers arrived from the mountainous area around Polička, a region with strong non-Catholic traditions. For decades, however, the local believers had no church of their own. To attend services, they had to travel all the way to distant Nosislav, a demanding journey given the transport conditions of the time, especially for the elderly and children. This inconvenience eventually pushed the community to build a church of its own, right where they lived.

When was the church built, and who designed it?

Construction took place between 1905 and 1906, based on plans by Brno architect Adolf Bachar. The church was consecrated on September 8, 1906, marking the end of years of effort by the Rychmanov community to secure a place of worship of their own. Two decades later, in 1927, a new bell was installed, a sign that the congregation kept investing in the building over time. After 1942, a branch congregation was temporarily established at the church, showing that the building remained an active center of religious life throughout much of the 20th century.

What can you see at the site?

The church has a modest, functional form typical of Protestant sacred architecture, without the ornamentation common in many Catholic churches in the region, but with a clear, well-proportioned design. It stands as a good example of early 20th-century rural sacred architecture in Moravia, built on the initiative of a local community rather than commissioned by a noble family or a major diocese. Look out for the shape of the tower and the facade details, both characteristic of Adolf Bachar's work from this period in Moravia.

How do you get there?

The church is located in Újezd u Brna, a village close to Brno, in the Brno-venkov district. Its coordinates are 49.1036453, 16.7682172, which makes GPS navigation straightforward for anyone driving. Given the proximity to Brno, the drive typically takes somewhere between ten and twenty-odd minutes by car, and the surrounding Cezava region offers other sightseeing points, so a visit here can easily be combined with a longer trip through the area.

When is the best time to visit?

Since this is an active Evangelical church, any season works well for viewing the building from the outside; its shape and surroundings look good in both spring and autumn. If you want to see the interior or attend a service, it is worth checking the local congregation's opening hours or contact details in advance, since access to the interior outside of services can be limited.

Frequently asked questions

Is the church in Rychmanov still in use? Yes, it remains an active Evangelical church, though access to the interior outside of services may be limited.

Who designed the building? It was designed by Brno architect Adolf Bachar, with construction completed in 1906.

Why did the villagers decide to build their own church? Because they previously had to travel to distant Nosislav for services, which was impractical given how large the Evangelical population of the village was.

Are there other attractions nearby? Yes, Újezd u Brna lies in the Cezava region close to Brno, making it easy to combine a visit with other sightseeing points in the area.