Imagine you are standing where Na Doubkové and Bieblova streets meet. Here before you stands the Evangelický kostel. This is not just any church. This is a testament to faith community and perseverance.
The Evangelický kostel we see today was built between 1930 and 1931. It is a house of worship for the Evangelical Church of Czech Brethren in Smíchov. The church’s story began much earlier in 1909. At that time Smíchov was a separate municipality outside Prague.
Initially it started as a preaching station of the church in Klimentská street. After the Evangelical Church of Czech Brethren was established in 1918 the station fell under the administration of the church in Salvátorská street. In 1921 Smíchov established its own branch. It became an independent parish in 1924.
The early congregations met in a Smíchov school. As the number of worshipers grew they moved to the chapel in the Na Zatlance gymnasium. By 1926 the congregation had over 3500 members. It was clear they needed their own church.
The city of Prague donated a plot of land on the northern slope of Pavi vrch. Several designs were submitted. Filip Křížek created the ideological design. His son Jaroslav Křížek an architect developed it in 1929.
Construction costs reached 1.5 million crowns. The church did not have enough money. They decided to issue lottery tickets to help raise funds. The lottery was held on February 17 1928 and raised 200000 crowns. The church still had to take out a loan. It took until World War II to pay it off.
The cornerstone was laid on October 5 1930. Construction was swift. Sadly Filip Křížek died in May 1931. A black banner flew over the construction site in his memory. On September 28 1931 the new Evangelický kostel was inaugurated. University professor František Bednář preached the first sermon. The church was dedicated by Josef Souček the highest representative of the church.
From its opening the Evangelický kostel was named “House of J. A. Comenius”. It also went by “Jubilee Temple of the Lord” on the invitation to the opening. This name commemorated the 150th anniversary of the Patent of Tolerance.
In 1940 the Smíchov church introduced nurseries during services. This was the first of its kind in the Evangelical Church. Mothers could enjoy the service without distraction.
During World War II two resistance groups operated within the Evangelický kostel. One was the communist group Předvoj. The other was the Intelligence Brigade. Some members of this group were from the Smíchov church.
The building is designed in the neo-classicist style. The floor plan is in the shape of an L with a square tower in the southwest corner. At the time it was one of the largest in the church. Its design is reminiscent of a tolerant house of prayer. Above the main entrance facing Bieblova Street are the Bible and a gilded chalice. These symbols refer to the Czech Reformation. There is also a Bible quote: “The Word of the Lord remains forever”.
Inside the Evangelický kostel you will find a worship hall for 500 people. It has a shallow altar niche. Large rectangular windows line the sides. The hall includes a spacious gallery with pipe organs. The original furnishings include a table for the Lord a pulpit and a chair for the preacher. These are made of artificial red marble. The cornerstone of the church is set into the base of the pulpit.
In front of the Evangelický kostel stands a statue of Milada Horáková. She was a member of the Smíchov church. The statue was created by Olbram Zoubek. It was unveiled on October 10 2010.
The Evangelický kostel continues to serve as a place of worship. It also hosts concerts. The church connects to the Night of Churches regularly. It stands as a beacon of faith and a testament to the strength of community.