In September 2010, the Adventist church in Plzen inaugurated a new type of church facility that will not only provide regular weekly church activities but also function as a cultural and recreational center and provide a children's playground and sports field for the adjacent community.
The official dedication took place on Thursday, September 16. Several representatives of local and state institutions and those involved in the realization of the project were present. Mr. J. Muzik, a representative of the Pilsen’s city hall, stated, “Suitable facilities for recreational activities are in great shortage, especially in this part of the city. We look forward to working together."
The official ribbon cutting was performed jointly by pastor P. Zvolanek, president of the Bohemian Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, and Senator and former Mayor of Plzen, Mr. J. Sneberger, who in his speech stressed that: "Any facility where people can meet together and are encouraged to do so, is very important. We are grateful to all who care about bringing our community together.”
The architect, Mr. J. Soukup, designed the building in the shape of a boat or fish. Mr. Soukup explained his design by quoting from Exupery’s Citadel: "A house is not built only to protect people from bad weather, rain and cold, but also to enable them to experience happiness, and love. This house was built with the intent to help people to understand their place in the world and in life.”
The church gathered in the building for the first time on Saturday, September 18, to conduct the dedication celebration.
The president of the Adventist church in the Euro-Africa region, Bruno Vertallier based his sermon on the Biblical text describing the construction of the Solomonic temple in the Old Testament times. Pastor Vertallier stressed the qualities of the builders: "Those who want to build a real temple for God need to know Him, respect His commandments, desire to accomplish His plans and purposes and put all their effort into the project. They do not accomplish their wishes but realize God’s design."
Almost 50 percent of the 1.3 million Euro building cost was covered by the European Regional Development Fund. The facility will be used by the local Seventh-day Adventist church for its regular activities, by the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) as a local office to promote and conduct different humanitarian projects and by a counseling service and legal office to help people in difficult situations. Occasionally, the hall will be used for classical music concerts, especially by students of Plzen Conservatory of Music.
The primary operations of the facility are intended to help families with young children, teenagers and senior citizens, which is why the facility includes a playground, sports field and a place to build campfires. The building offers several rooms for club-type meetings, lectures, discussion and especially free-time activities for children.
The local Adventist community in Plzen has ambitious plans to make the premises available and profitable for a majority of inhabitants in the vicinity. If the project proves viable and beneficial, it may serve as a model for future facilities built by the church.
