Kostel sv. Bartolomeje / St. Bartholomew's Church - Teplice (North Bohemia) - Lutheran Churches on Waymarking.com

Monumental neo-Romanesque brick St. Bartholomew's Church (Kostel sv. Bartolomeje), built in 1861-1864, was principal Lutheran church in Teplice until its desecration in 1990.

St. Bartholomew's Church is an elegant neo-Romanesque basilica stands on one of the town's highest knolls, forming significantly Teplice's skyline. The originator of the building was the German architect Friedrich August Stüler, whom the Prussian King Friedrich Wilhelm IV probably recommended for the design elaboration. Friedrich Wilhelm IV regularly visited Teplice's spas and both morally and financially supported the idea of building a new Lutheran church. August Stüler was one of the eminent architects of his time – he worked as the Prussian king's court architect and, apart from a series of other designs, he elaborated plans for the Old National Gallery in Berlin.

"The Peace Church of Bartholomew the Apostle" was the building's full name. The architect designed it as an early Christian basilica, with Romanesque decoration and an airy columned foyer, rather unusual in our country. The slender steeple was added to the church only eighteen years later in 1882.

When, after World War II, German inhabitants had to leave Czechoslovakia ingloriously, the church fell to the Czechoslovak Hussite Church. However, as early as 1965 the congregation started to lack sufficient resources for its maintenance, which is why they transferred their activities into the neighbouring parish office's chapel, where they have been active to date. In 1990, the church was sold to a new owner, who established an upscale restaurant there. Later, the restaurant catered even for techno parties and entertained lovers of other dance styles. After the company's bankruptcy, the church changed hands again and the new owner is looking for its new utilization – only occasionally it is used for concerts and private social events.