The new church in Litomyšl will open on the first weekend of December

Litomyšl (Svitavy) - The new church of the Church of Brethren in Litomyšl will be opened on the first weekend of December after two years of construction. A ceremonial service will take place on Saturday, December 4th, and the church will be open to the public the following day. Pastor Daniel Smetana told journalists today.
    "We want to open the church to the general public on Sunday at 10:00. There will be an opportunity to attend the ceremonial service, after which visitors can tour the church, and from 17:00 there will be performances by two bands," said Smetana.
    Construction began in November 2008 based on a design by architect Zdeněk Franěk near the city bypass towards Svitavy. The project includes a hall for approximately 150 people, two multipurpose club rooms, and a social vestibule with facilities. On the second floor, there is an apartment for the pastor and his family. The unusual appearance of the church is primarily created by the alternately sloped shed roofs, which resemble a ramp. A large glass cross crafted by Václav Cígler will be placed at the highest point.
    The construction costs will reach 19.5 million crowns. The funds come from about half from church sources and its collections, 4.4 million crowns have been donated by foundations and endowment funds, and the church borrowed seven million from non-profit organizations and private individuals. The remaining finances were provided by the European Union and the proceeds from a public collection. The land for construction was donated by the city of Litomyšl.
    According to Jana Macková, the head of the church construction preparation team, the fundraising will not end with the opening of the church. "We will need about 1.5 million crowns for interior furnishings, furniture, or sound systems. The chairs, a total of 180, have currently been loaned to us by the organizers of the Smetanova Litomyšl festival," said Macková.
    The church is also expected to be used for lectures, exhibitions, educational events, and theater performances. The city hall has also agreed with the church that the church will serve as a funeral ceremony hall during burials.