Holy Trinity Parish

  Location: 124 N Main St, Protivin     Map
  Founded: 1878
  Current church built: 1907
  Parishioners:  243 families
  Heritage: Czech
  Patronal Feast Day: Sunday after    
     Pentecost
 
40th Czech Days:
 August 16-18, 2019


Baking Schedule 2019

2018 Czech Days Flyer/Schedule of Events


  What is the Doctrine of the Trinity?

Early Czech settlers came to this area in the mid-1800s. The majority of them were of the Catholic faith, although there was also a minority who were followers of Jan Hus and were known as the "Free Thinkers.”  As more Catholics came to the area, a new parish was founded in 1878.  The land for the church and cemetery were donated by Frank Jr. and Mary Chyle.  Rev. Frank L. Mikota, also the pastor of Spillville, provided the first priestly services to Holy Trinity parish.  In 1881, the parishioners paid for Rev. Anthony Ambroz to come from Bohemia to serve them. 

In 1895, Rev. Jan P. Broz was appointed to the parish.  The one-room Holy Trinity Grade School was built in 1896, with around 50 students attending.  In 1890, Rev. Frantisek Vrba was appointed pastor.  Under his guidance, a rectory was built, and the interior of the church was furnished.

Rev. Rudolph Lakomy arrived in 1906.  The current church was built in 1907 to repair storm damage and make room for a growing community.  During the pastorate of Rev. Louis B. Kucera, a new elementary and high school was erected and named "Rudolphinum" in honor of his predecessor.  The high school graduated a total of 576 students from 1927 until its closure in 1968.

The long history of the parish includes many diocesan and religious priests who have served it well.  Up to the 1930s, some came from Czechoslovakia, like Rev. Wenceslaus Hradecky.  The pastors and administrators continually renewed the parish properties, including new rectories in 1945 and 1975, a new grade school in 1955, and the modern Community Center in 1981 following the parish centennial celebration. In 1978 Rev. John Ptacek (1976-1982) founded the annual Czech Days celebration, held the third full weekend in August, to celebrate the centennial anniversary of the parish. 

Holy Trinity has been part of Christ Our Hope Cluster since 2008.  At least 12 vocations to religious communities and four priestly vocations have come from the parish.  Holy Trinity is known as a community of faith which takes pride in its heritage as well as its ability to work together to accomplish great things in the present day.  

<<Parish Information