ACTIVE FAITH in the heart of Europe
… with youthful energy
… with respect for tradition
… with an understanding of the world we live in
… with care for others
… with joy in life
ABOUT US
Gifted by faith, called to serve
We are a living, Christ-centered Lutheran church situated in the borderlands of the Czech Republic, bridging cultures, languages, and generations.
Welcome to the Silesian Evangelical Church of Augsburg Confession!
Our community consists of 21 congregations, located primarily in the historic region of Těšín (Cieszyn) Silesia, making us the largest Lutheran church in the Czech Republic. Our identity is shaped by a rich heritage of faith, resilience, and intercultural community, historically serving primarily both Czech- and Polish-speaking believers.
We stand firmly on the authority of the Bible and the historic truths of the Reformation—confessing salvation by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. But more than history and tradition, we are a dynamic community of local congregations dedicated to following Jesus in the 21st century.
Our journey →
Meet us where we are. Plan Your Visit.
PARISH LIFE: Growing in faith and ministry
We are an active community of faith with the heart for young and old, believers as well as seekers. Weekly some 2500 people are worshipping together in our churches. 10 000 people feel associated with us in the region.
What to expect on a Sunday?
EDUCATION: Learning and growing
We provide religious education in 76 public schools with 1,000+ children every week, additionally to 4 church kindergartens, 1 church elementary school and 2 special education schools run by Silesian Diaconia.
Our educational activities
DIACONIA: Care and practical help
Our charitable organizations provide hundreds of professional social and therapeutic services across the region. Every day, we offer a professional and compassionate helping hand to those who find themselves in difficult life situations.
Our charities
MISSION: Sharing hope beyond our borders
We aim at establishing new mission projects (inland cities), and provide support for missionaries and mission agencies mainly in Eastern Europe, Africa, and elsewhere.
Our mission
ECUMENICAL COOPERATION
We are members of many ecumenical bodies and keep active contacts with a wide range of cooperating partners in mission, education and diaconia.
Our ecumenical engagement
MEDIA: Reaching out to the world
Get the feel of our ministry through our online presence and publishing activities.
Our MediaWhat to Expect on a Sunday
Worship Style
A blend of traditional liturgical elements and contemporary Christian music, anchored by the reading of Scripture and Christ-centered preaching.
The Lord’s Supper (Communion)
Celebrated regularly; as a confessional Lutheran church, we practice open communion generally welcoming all baptized believers who trust in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
Language Support
While most services are held in Czech or Polish, many of our pastors and members speak English. Contact us ahead of your visit, and we will gladly arrange someone to translate or guide you through the worship.
16th century
The Lutheran Reformation reaches Těšín/Cieszyn Silesia
Protestantism soon became a dominant part of local life and gave the world influential and courageous personalities like Jiří Třanovský, the so called „Slavic Luther“, author of a popular songbook used for 300 years.
17th century
Persecution and forest churches
During long period of religious persecution, all Protestant churches were taken away (1654) and pastors were expelled. For decades, believers gathered secretly in forests and mountains to hear God's Word and celebrate worship.
18th century
Church of Jesus in Cieszyn
The construction of the only protestant church in the whole Habsburg Empire in 1709 became an important milestone for Protestants in the broad region, influencing a. O. some of the later Moravian Brethren.
19th century
Restoration
After almost 150 years of persecution the Edict of Toleration from 1781 brought a time of greater religious freedom and renewal of protestant communities. Many congregations were quickly established with new churches and schools being built.
20th century
Political changes and new borders
The church continued to live through political change, wars, new borders, the division of Těšín/Cieszyn Silesia between Czechoslovakia and Poland, and the rise and fall of Communism.
Church in the current era
After a period of 40 years of Communism followed by 30+ years of freedom and democracy, SECAC now counts 21 congregations and a multilayered ministry through education, social care and mission. That history still matters to us today. It reminds us not to take freedom of faith for granted. And it reminds us that a church can survive difficult times when people hold on to hope and to one another.
Get Connected
Whether you are looking for a church, exploring Christianity, interested in Lutheran history, searching your family roots, visiting the region or simply curious about who we are, we would be glad to get in touch.
Come and meet us.
You are welcome at SECAC!
Contact SECAC headquarters →