Praying Room of the Czech Brethren Church

Prayer House of the Congregation of the Czech Brethren Evangelical Church in Kyjov
The construction of the prayer house began in the spring of 1927 and was solemnly opened on November 25, 1928. The date 25.11.1928 was set as the date for the 10th anniversary of national freedom. The prayer house was to be an expression of gratitude for an independent democratic state and a desire to deepen freedom "internal, intellectual, and moral" with the aim of freedom for the sons and daughters of God. This cannot be achieved by human strength alone, but only by the power of the Holy Spirit, the giver and guardian of human freedom. This message continues to resonate in the congregation even 91 years after its opening.
The architectural design was created by the Brno architect - Josef Polášek, originally from Boršov, a significant representative of functionalism.
The original design by the architect fully complies with the principles of functionalism. The large hall, as it is called, has simple, perfectly balanced proportions, with four tall windows on both side walls and three rows of panels stacked above them; the windows create a striking rectangular whole, ideally connecting the internal and external space. In a raised recess on the front wall stands the "table of the Lord," which also serves as the pulpit, with the Kralická Bible resting on the table. The pulpit was added later. Also, two inscriptions - biblical verses - one above the pulpit and the other on the opposite wall above the entrance to the small hall, were inscribed later after repainting according to the architect Bareš’s design. Benches for presbyters lined all three walls of the recess. However, the prayer house is not entirely without symbols. They found their place as a colorful mosaic in two circular windows on the front and rear walls. Above the pulpit recess, there is a Bible and ears of grain - symbolizing both spiritual and earthly bread, while on the opposite wall, there is a chalice and grapevine with fruit - symbolizing the joy of the church community, directed towards the kingdom of God. This can be understood as a gift from Brother Gattermayer. Later, the windows were damaged by thrown stones, but they have been beautifully restored and still please us.
The musical instrument - a harmonium - stood at the back behind ten rows of ten-seat plain but quite comfortable benches. A larger two-manual harmonium was later moved forward by the then organist, Brother Bohumil Šiška. Today, beautiful small organs with four registers and a suspended pedal stand precisely there, a gift from the German Evangelical congregation in Desavě, made by Sauer.
During the construction, there was one change from the original design. At the request of the elders, the architect allowed the extension of a small room for the needs of the pastor, somewhat of a sacristy, which closed off the frontal wall to the right of the glass entrance doors. A room with double the volume was created, protruding from the front wall towards the street, just as it is today.