The parish in Brno is preparing to renovate St. James' Church for 131 million, the city will contribute

Brno - The Church of St. James the Greater in Brno is set to undergo reconstruction costing 131 million crowns. It will affect the roof, windows, and stone elements. This was announced to reporters today by Pastor Jan Pacner. The St. James Parish has received a European grant from the Integrated Regional Operational Program amounting to 112 million, and according to the mayor's deputy, Petr Hladík (KDU-ČSL), Brno intends to contribute ten million. The church has a tower of over ninety meters, and the city plans to include a publicly accessible viewpoint at a height of 42 meters in collaboration with the parish. The work is expected to begin at the start of next year and conclude in early 2024.

In 2015 and 2016, interior repairs were carried out. "Many areas of the exterior are in very poor condition. The reconstruction is therefore necessary. More than 80 percent of the costs will be covered by a state grant, and the parish itself will contribute at least ten million crowns. We are planning to announce a collection and involve sponsors from businesses and small donors," said Pacner.

The city will discuss the 10 million contribution at the council and city assembly. "The city leadership has agreed with the parish to contribute 10 million crowns to secure funding for this construction. The Church of St. James is one of Brno's landmarks and is a frequently sought-after destination not only for Brno residents but also for tourists. Therefore, it is in the city's interest to participate in the preservation of this national cultural monument," Hladík stated.

According to him, panels explaining the reasons for the reconstruction and the progress of individual repairs will gradually appear in the church. "Informational and donation pages will also be created on the website, as well as an electronic system for collecting contributions. During special occasions, such as the Night of Churches, there will be attractive video projections. Once the reconstruction is completed, we would like to open the new St. James viewpoint in the tower to the public," Hladík added.

The Church of St. James is an impressive building measuring 54 meters in length. The tower reaches a height of approximately 94 meters. The current form of the church was developed in the 16th century when the patronage was taken over from the Cistercian monastery in Oslavany by the city of Brno.