Saints Peter and Paul church

Saints Peter and Paul Church stands as the main religious landmark of Jeníkovice, a village in the Hradec Králové District, its slender prism-shaped tower rising above the south facade and visible from across the surrounding countryside. While the present structure dates to the mid-18th century, worship on this site goes back much further.

How old is the church?

The first written record of a chapel in Jeníkovice dates to 1385, when it served as a subsidiary of the parish in Třebechovice. By 1542 the building was dedicated to Saint Nicholas. The current Baroque church was built between 1741 and 1747, funded by Count Rudolf Joseph Colloredo. Construction dragged on until 1747, delayed by the Prussian war that swept through the region at the time.

Another turning point came in 1901, when the nave's vault collapsed. The damaged section was rebuilt in Neo-Renaissance style under the direction of builder V. Reichl of Hradec Králové. The cornerstone for the new nave was laid on 5 May 1901, and the rebuilt church was solemnly consecrated on 6 October of the same year by Bishop Eduard Brynych.

What can visitors see inside?

The interior blends 18th-century Baroque elements with the Neo-Renaissance work from the 1901 reconstruction. The centerpiece is the Baroque main altar dedicated to Saints Peter and Paul, carried over from the church's earlier furnishings, featuring a painting by Antonín Müller. Flanking it are statues of Saints Prokop and Wojtěch, two figures widely venerated in Czech religious tradition. The furnishings also include a Neo-Renaissance side altar and a newer pulpit, both added during the turn-of-the-century rebuild.

One of the oldest surviving pieces is a stone baptismal font dating to the 15th century or earlier, a direct link to the parish's medieval origins. An organ completes the interior, adding a solemn accent to services held here.

What's the story behind the bells?

The tower holds a notable history of its own. The older of its bells, cast in 1528 by bellfounder Jan Hlaváč of Hradec Králové, weighs 435 kilograms and still hangs in the tower today. A second bell, cast in 1535, was confiscated during the First World War for the war industry and never returned. The 1528 bell faced a similar threat during the Second World War, when it was seized by German occupying forces — but in 1946 it was found on Manina Island in Prague and brought back to Jeníkovice, where it continues to serve the parish.

What else is worth seeing near the church?

Two mature linden trees stand in front of the building, each carrying its own historical meaning. One was planted in 1849 to mark the abolition of serfdom, while the other dates to 1918, commemorating Czechoslovak independence. Both trees remain a living piece of local history and a popular photo spot for visitors passing through the village.

Frequently asked questions

Was the church always dedicated to Saints Peter and Paul? No. In 1542 the building was dedicated to Saint Nicholas; the current dedication to Saints Peter and Paul came later.

When was today's church built? The Baroque structure dates from 1741–1747, though the nave was partly rebuilt in Neo-Renaissance style after the vault collapsed in 1901.

Do any original bells survive? Yes. The 1528 bell by Jan Hlaváč still hangs in the tower — it survived both world wars and returned to Jeníkovice in 1946 after being found in Prague.

What else should visitors look for besides the church itself? Two historic linden trees stand outside, planted to commemorate the abolition of serfdom in 1849 and Czechoslovak independence in 1918.