Sborový dům Milíče z Kroměříže

Sborový dům Milíče z Kroměříže is a modern congregation house of the Evangelical Church of Czech Brethren, located in Prague's South Town (Jižní Město), within the Chodov cadastral district. The building stands on Donovalská street, next to the park surrounding the medieval Chodov Fortress (Chodovská tvrz), surrounded by the panel-block housing typical of this part of Prague 11. It is a distinctive landmark for visitors interested in the Czech capital's less obvious, contemporary religious architecture.

Is this Prague or Warsaw?

The name can confuse visitors, since "Praga" is also the name of a district in Warsaw, Poland. Here, however, the reference is entirely to Czech Prague — the capital of the Czech Republic, specifically its south-eastern housing estate of Jižní Město within the Prague 11 administrative district. The site's coordinates place it firmly in Chodov, Czech Republic, with no connection to any location in Poland.

Who was the building named after?

The congregation house bears the name of Jan Milíč of Kroměříž, a 14th-century Czech preacher and religious reformer regarded as one of the spiritual forerunners of the Hussite movement and a predecessor of Jan Hus. Choosing him as patron underlines the building's connection to the long Czech tradition of religious reform that the modern Czech Brethren church continues.

When was it built and what does it look like?

The cornerstone was laid on 30 March 2003, and the building reached shell completion by September of that same year. The formal opening followed on 7–8 October 2006. The structure has two floors plus a usable attic, and its most recognizable feature is a 19-metre tower housing a staircase and an elevator. At the heart of the building is a circular-sector assembly hall with a table at its center and concentric rows of seating, a layout designed to foster a communal atmosphere during services; it accommodates up to 170 people.

What happens here today?

The building remains an active place of worship for the local Czech Brethren congregation of Jižní Město. Regular Sunday services take place here, alongside Bible study sessions and discussions on faith. Beyond its religious role, the house also functions as a neighborhood cultural and social hub, hosting community gatherings and other events open to residents of the surrounding estate.

What else is worth seeing nearby?

Right next to the congregation house lies the park surrounding Chodov Fortress (Chodovská tvrz), a medieval defensive structure that survived amid the postwar panel-block development of Jižní Město, offering a striking architectural contrast to the modern religious building beside it. Pairing a visit to both sites makes for an interesting walk through this rarely-touristed, authentic corner of Prague 11.

Frequently asked questions

Is this located in Warsaw? No. Although the name "Praga" reminds some visitors of Warsaw's Praga district, this building stands in Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic, in the Chodov area.

Who was the building's namesake? Jan Milíč of Kroměříž, a medieval Czech preacher and reformer considered one of the spiritual forerunners of the Hussite movement.

How many people can the main hall hold? The assembly hall seats up to 170 people.

Which church does the building belong to? The Evangelical Church of Czech Brethren, specifically the congregation active in Prague's Jižní Město.

When did the building open? It formally opened on 7–8 October 2006, although construction began back in 2003.