Protestant church in Zlín

The Protestant Church in Zlín is one of the most notable examples of interwar sacred architecture in the Czech Republic, standing at the intersection of Štefánikova and Slovenská streets in the city centre.

What is the history behind the church?

The building was designed in the 1930s by architect Vladimír Karfík, a figure closely tied to the Baťa company and its modernist projects across Zlín during that era. The church was formally opened on Easter Monday, 29 March 1937. Its construction was made possible with substantial support from the Baťa company, which covered half the cost of the land for the Evangelical congregation and paid entirely for building the parsonage. Among the individual donors, Jan Antonín Baťa contributed the largest single sum — five thousand crowns.

What makes the building worth seeing?

The church is widely regarded as one of the most successful sacred buildings of Czechoslovak interwar architecture. Its design reflects the functionalist simplicity and carefully balanced proportions typical of the era, fitting naturally into the surrounding urban fabric of Baťa's modernist Zlín. At the same time, the building sets itself apart in one deliberate way: unlike most Baťa-era structures, which rely heavily on exposed red brick, this church omits that material entirely. It's a conscious design choice that gives the church a distinct visual identity compared to the factory buildings and housing blocks from the same period nearby. Visitors can appreciate the restrained, undecorated façade characteristic of 1930s functionalism, and how the structure engages with its surroundings without copying their material language.

Is the church still in use today?

Yes. The building continues to serve its liturgical purpose. It is used not only by the Evangelical Church of Czech Brethren, for which it was originally built, but also by the Czechoslovak Hussite Church. This shared use underlines the building's ongoing role as a living place of worship rather than purely a historical monument.

How do you get there, and when should you visit?

The church stands in the centre of Zlín, at the corner of Štefánikova and Slovenská streets, close to other landmark examples of Baťa-era functionalist architecture — making it a natural stop on a walking route through the city's modernist heritage. Because the building is an active place of worship, it's worth checking locally announced visiting hours, or timing a visit around services or open events such as the Night of Churches, when sacred buildings across the city welcome visitors more broadly.

Frequently asked questions

Who designed the Protestant Church in Zlín? The building was designed by architect Vladimír Karfík, known for his work with the Baťa company on modernist projects throughout Zlín.

When was the church opened? It was formally opened on Easter Monday, 29 March 1937.

Why did the Baťa company support the construction of this Protestant church? The Baťa company invested heavily in Zlín's infrastructure for its workers; for this church specifically, it covered half the cost of the land and fully funded the parsonage, while Jan Antonín Baťa personally donated five thousand crowns.

Are services still held at the church? Yes, the building is actively used by both the Evangelical Church of Czech Brethren and the Czechoslovak Hussite Church.