History

History and the present state of Catholic Church in Postoloprty

The oldest history of roman catholic church has connection with the Benedicts monastery Porta apostolorum (the gate of Apostles), that was on this place since 11th century till May 13th, 1420, when it was destroyed by the Hussites and was never restored again. At time of its high prosperity, the monastery was very rich in matter of historical monuments. There was one of the biggest libraries in central Europe and also the famous “Porta Apostolorum”, i.e. the entrance portal to the monastery church, which had on tympanum the life-size figures of 12 Apostles (according to tradition they were made of pure silver). The monastery was also the place where charity and love to neighbor, especially the poor as was the habit of Benedictines. The monastery also provided a work opportunity for many citizens of Postoloprty and villages in neighborhood.

The second small church noted by history was a small church of St Andrew recorded in 1384 which probably stood on the place of today’s swimming pool. At the end of 15th century the church was abolished and on its place there was built third church – the parish church dedicated to the Holy Trinity with a municipal cemetery around it. The church of the Holy Trinity was demolished in 1792 because of its poor state and on its place there was built cemetery chapel. After hundred years it was moved outside of the city to the place of today’s cemetery.

Next church was near the fortress and later castle. It was a gothic church dedicated to St Francis of Assisi that served for divine serves mostly to aristocracy, for example the Sternbergs and Schwarzenbergs. The crypt under the church served as burial place for the members of local aristocracy and also clergy. The church of St Francis existed from the second half of 15th century until 1746, when it was demolished to be replaced by the new church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, which is standing there up to this day.

The church of the Holy Trinity and church of St Francis are seen on the pictures (veduta) above made in 1727 by the sculptor Mr. Meinolf. Today it is placed in City Hall of Postoloprty. In 1740 the parish of Postoloprty was promoted to dean’s office and there was built the new parish house near the new church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, near the castle and the main square with town hall.

The church of Assumption of the Virgin Mary is the fifth one. Prince Joseph Schwarzenberg has built it for two reasons: 1. the old parish church of the Holy Trinity was in bad state and was not worth of restoration. 2. Prince Joseph made a promise that if he will get a male heir he will build a new monumental church. That male descendent (prince John) was really born to prince couple and the Austrian architect Alto Monte laid the foundation stone of the new parish church on October 13th, 1746. The building took seven years to finish and it was consecrated on September 16th, 1753.

Parish priests – deacons of Postoloprty

List of Parish priests – deacons of Postoloprty from December 1st, 1740, when the parish of Postoloprty has been promoted to deanship by decret of archbishop of Prague, Msgre. Jan Gustav:

1/ Jakub Johann Endler from 1737 to 1754 – 17 years
2/ Karel Sonntag from 1754 to 1761 – 7 years
3/ Adalbert Gebhart from 1761 to 1768 – 7 years
4/ Franz Zeppel from 1768 to 1775 – 7 years
5/ Jan Naxer from 1775 to 1790 – 15 years
6/ Karel Fuka from 1790 to 1793 – 3 years
7/ Josef Panernepl from 1793 to 1811 – 18 years
8/ Jan Jeltsch from 1811 to 1822 – 11 years
9/ Franz Apltauer – from 1822 to 1830 – 8 years
10/ Martin Blaško from 1830 to 1841 – 11 years
11/ Josef Köhler from 1841 to 1855 – 14 years
12/ Josef Vačkář from 1855 to 1869 – 14 years
13/ Josef Klein from 1869 to 1869 – 1 year
14/ Václav Weiss from 1870 to 1889 – 19 years
15/ Josef Tschochner from 1889 to 1895 – 6 years
16/ František Polívka from 1895 to 1895 – l year
17/ František Vlasák from 1895 to 1914 – 19 years
18/ Matheus Würstl from 1914 to 1941 – 27 years
19/ D Alois Thomas from 1941 to 1945 – 4 years
20/ Franz Rech in 1945 – less than l year
21/ Jan Schroller from 1945 to 1946 – l year
22/ František Kolář from 1946 to 1953 – 7 years
23/ Stanislav Rozkopal from 1953 to 1964 – 11 years
24/ František Klapuch from 1964 to 1972 – 8 years
25/ Josef Petrucha from 1972 to 1974 – 2 years
26/ Rudolf Prey from 1974 to 2013 – 39 years
27/ Josef Peňáz from 2013 to 2015 – 1,5 years
28/ Radim Vondráček from 2015 to present day

Deanship of the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary in Postoloprty had 26 priests since 1740 to present day. They served there for from 1 to 31 years. Thanks to the Lord to everyone, who sowed the seeds of God’s word in the deanship and to everyone, who gave the sacraments and served the God’s people – church as teacher, pastor or priest! Let the God bless all dead priests, give them everlasting life and rest in peace!