Remember this place. Svatá Terezie z Lisieux is more than just a church. It is a testament to faith and devotion in Prague-Kobylisy.
Svatá Terezie z Lisieux stands as a beacon. It is dedicated to Saint Thérèse of Lisieux. The church is a vital part of the Kobylisy community. Salesians of Don Bosco manage the parish to which Svatá Terezie z Lisieux belongs.
Let’s step back to 1926. Antonín Ženíšek donated land to “Charitas.” This land was for building a church. Later, he sold more land at a third of the price. The “Dílo blahoslavené Anežky Přemyslovny” society acquired these lands. Their mission was to construct new churches on Prague’s outskirts.
In 1932, the society approached the Salesians. The Salesians had begun working in Bohemia in 1927. The society wanted them to build an institute and a church. Initially, the Salesians declined. They lacked sufficient personnel for such a project.
Later, the “Spolek pro vystavění a udržování římskokatolického kostela v Praze 8 – Kobylisích” was founded. On December 8, 1934, Cardinal Karel Kašpar consecrated the church’s foundation stone. The Salesians came to Prague at Cardinal Kašpar’s request. In 1936, the “Spolek pracovníků salesiánských v ČSR” was established. The Salesian society took over the land. They announced a competition for the construction contractor on May 11, 1936. The contract with V. Nekvasil was signed on June 27, 1936. Čeněk Vořech designed the chapel. It was intended as a temporary structure. Four designs for the church’s completion existed, but none were realized.
Construction of the Salesian institute began in July 1936. Štěpán Trochta oversaw the construction. He became the institute’s first director. The complex included the chapel of St. Terezička. It was accessible to the public. The first excavation for the chapel began on July 17, 1936. Archbishop Kašpar consecrated it on October 24, 1937.
In 1938, the first two bells were brought. Five were planned. In March 1942, the German army requisitioned one or both bells and melted them down. On December 1, 1946, the Kobylisy parish was established. Štěpán Trochta had requested this in February 1942. Establishing a religious administration was a condition for acquiring the land. Cyril Ondra, a Salesian, was appointed the first pastor.
In 1950, the state seized the entire complex. The institute was abolished. However, the chapel continued as a parish church. A chaplain from Saint Antonín served here. From 1967, the Bohnice pastor served. In 1969, Jan Vývoda, a Salesian, joined the parish. Under his leadership, the parish became one of the most active in Prague.
On April 22, 1990, Pope John Paul II consecrated a new foundation stone. It was for a new church during his visit to Prague. Law 338/1991 Coll. legally returned the institute to the Salesians on August 1, 1991. Karel Herbst became the director of the institute and pastor of the Kobylisy parish. On February 16, 1992, the chapel was transferred from the parish to the Salesians.
Reconstruction of Svatá Terezie z Lisieux began in 1997. The western part was expanded. It created pastoral facilities. The main chapel was enlarged northward. Existing administrative areas were rebuilt eastward. This increased seating capacity from about 150 to 300. After connecting the old and new parts, the worship space’s orientation changed. It shifted from west-east to north-south.
Václav Mašek designed the reconstruction. Antonín Klouda designed the interior. Jan Exnar created the stained glass. Antonín Pavlica’s firm carried out the construction. In 2001, three bells were installed. They were named Panna Maria Pomocnice křesťanů, sv. Jan Bosco, and sv. Terezička. A carillon with fourteen bells was added. Bishop Jaroslav Škarvada consecrated the bells on October 26, 2001.
The expanded Svatá Terezie z Lisieux was consecrated on October 23, 2000. On September 1, 2001, Prague-Troja was transferred. It moved from the Bohnice parish to the Kobylisy parish. Josef Brtník was the Kobylisy pastor from June 2002 to 2016. On September 1, 2002, the Salesians also took over the administration of the neighboring Bohnice parish.
This church stands as the first in the Czech Republic. It is dedicated to the patron of missions, Saint Thérèse of Lisieux. Remember her “little way” of spiritual childhood. Consider her profound trust in God’s love as you reflect within these walls.