Teacher Challenged Papal Infallibility, Founded Czech Church
Why this is here: The Church of the Transfiguration in Varnsdorf is designated a co-cathedral, recognizing the city as the birthplace of Old Catholicism in the Czech Republic.
Anton Nittel, a teacher from Varnsdorf, Czech Republic, publicly opposed papal infallibility in 1871 and subsequently founded the first Old Catholic parish in both the country and Austria-Hungary. Nittel was excommunicated by the Bishop of Litoměřice after objecting to the Vatican decree.
He successfully attracted thousands of followers in Varnsdorf, including local factory owners. Together, they established the Old Catholic parish and its governing council. The parish constructed the Church of the Transfiguration in 1873.
Varnsdorf later became the seat of the Old Catholic bishopric for Austrian believers in 1880, remaining so for nearly 100 years. The Varnsdorf parish remains active today with about several dozen members, led by current pastor Roland Solloch. A commemorative plaque inside the church details Nittel’s role in the founding of the community.