Old Catholic Church in Bogomolje – a Rare Trace of Hvar's Religious History
The Old Catholic Church in Bogomolje is one of the more unusual sacred buildings on the island of Hvar. It is located in the center of the village, along the main road, and was built in 1935 for the Old Catholic community that formed in Bogomolje about a decade earlier.
At first glance, it appears to be a simple Dalmatian village church. The stone façade, elongated windows, rose window, and the remaining bell tower blend well with the old houses of Bogomolje. However, it has a very special story: it was in Bogomolje that the first significant Old Catholic community and the first Old Catholic parish in Dalmatia were established.
Today, the church does not serve the same role it did in the first half of the 20th century, but it has been preserved as a valuable part of local heritage, and the official spatial documents of the Municipality of Sućuraj still list it among culturally significant churches and chapels.
Old Catholic Community in the Small Hvar Village
The story begins after World War I, during a period when the Croatian Old Catholic Church was developing in Croatia.
In Bogomolje, a key role was played by Juraj-Ivo Barbarić, born in this area, who had previously been a Franciscan and a Roman Catholic priest. After leaving the Franciscan order and the Catholic Church, he joined the Old Catholic movement.
The first attempts to organize a community in Bogomolje began in 1924, and on May 3, 1925, the Old Catholic parish was formally established, with Barbarić elected as its priest.
Thus, the small Bogomolje, far from the major Dalmatian cities, became one of the most important places of the early Old Catholic movement in Dalmatia.
The First Old Catholic Parish in Dalmatia
Initially, there were plans for a stronger development of the Old Catholic community in Split, but it was in Bogomolje that the first larger community was formed.
This gives the place a special significance in Croatian religious history of the 20th century.
Bogomolje already had its old Roman Catholic parish and the Church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, so for a period, there were two different church communities in this very small village.
The Old Catholic Church was built in the very center of the village, opposite the then Catholic parish house and the old municipal building.
Construction of the Church in 1935
After the establishment of the parish, fundraising began for a church of its own.
Funds were collected with the participation of the local community, and the land for construction was associated with the Old Catholic priest Juraj-Ivo Barbarić.
The church was completed in 1935.
It was built by local craftsmen along with builders from the Dalmatian mainland, so its appearance clearly reflects a blend of local Hvar tradition and architectural ideas from the first half of the 20th century.
Pseudoromanesque with Dalmatian Character
The church is architecturally described as a pseudoromanesque building with elements of modern monumental architecture and influences from traditional Dalmatian churches.
The layout is simple – it is a single-nave church with an apse.
The main façade faces south. In its center, there is a portal, above which is a niche, elongated narrow windows, and a circular opening shaped like a rose window.
At the very top of the façade, part of the structure intended for the bell tower is visible.
The elongated windows with emphasized stone frames give the church a more monumental appearance than one would expect from a building of such small dimensions.
Doors with Shell Motif
An interesting detail is the original double-leaf doors.
They were made by Stjepan Kuljić, and a decorative shell motif was used on them. Such small elements show that the construction was not only focused on functionality but also aimed to give the church its own recognizable identity.
Although the architecture is simple, details such as window frames, the rose window, and the doors distinguish it from an ordinary stone house or agricultural building.
Similar to Surrounding Hvar Churches, but Still Different
The builders clearly relied on the architecture of older churches in eastern Hvar.
The shape of the single-nave building, the stone façade, and the bell tower are familiar motifs from Gdinj, Bogomolje, and Sućurja.
The difference is that the Old Catholic Church was built only in the 1930s and attempted to combine traditional forms with a more modern architectural expression.
Therefore, it is interesting even to visitors for whom religious history is not the main reason for visiting – it is a rare example of 20th-century sacred architecture in eastern Hvar.
World War II Disrupts Community Life
The church operated until the period of World War II.
During the war years, the activities of the Old Catholic Church were restricted and prohibited, and Juraj-Ivo Barbarić, along with part of the population, went into exile. Some residents of Hvar ended up in the well-known refugee camp El Shatt in Egypt.
After the war, the Old Catholic community in Bogomolje never regained the strength it had during its first decades of existence.
The number of members gradually decreased, and over time, the church lost its regular liturgical function.
Today a Part of Bogomolje's Cultural Heritage
The Old Catholic Church is now primarily viewed as historical and architectural heritage of the village.
The Municipality of Sućuraj separately lists it in its current spatial planning documentation as the Old Catholic Church of Bogomolje and categorizes it among culturally valuable sacred buildings of local significance.
It is not arranged as a classic museum or tourist attraction with a ticket office and constantly open interior. For visitors, the most important aspect is the external appearance of the building and its location within the old village.
Therefore, it is best included in a short walk around Bogomolje.
Location in the Center of the Village
The church is located along the main road through Bogomolje and is very easy to find.
Unlike the parish church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, which is located somewhat further towards the western part of the village, the Old Catholic Church stands practically in the center of the old settlement.
In the vicinity, there are traditional stone houses, old yards, former agricultural lands, and other features of rural Bogomolje.
If the area is explored on foot, the two churches clearly illustrate two completely different periods of its history: Our Lady of Mount Carmel dates back to the 16th century, while the Old Catholic Church reflects very specific social and religious changes at the beginning of the 20th century.
Is It Worth Seeing?
If passing along the road to Sućuraj or western Hvar, the church can easily be overlooked.
However, for someone already exploring Bogomolje, it is worth stopping for a few minutes.
Its significance lies not in a lavish interior or large artistic collections, but in the unusual story of how a small island village became the center of the first Old Catholic parish in Dalmatia.
Together with Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Jerkov Dvor, old threshing floors, and stone hamlets, the church helps to better understand Bogomolje as a place with a much more complex history than can be concluded from a simple drive along the main island road.
Access and Parking
The church can be reached directly via the main road through Bogomolje.
Special tourist parking next to the building is not necessary. Vehicles can be parked in suitable available spots within the settlement, and the center of Bogomolje is best explored on foot.
Due to its location along the road, access from the outside is very straightforward.
For entering the interior, one should not expect a regular tourist visiting regime.
Useful Information
Location: center of Bogomolje, eastern Hvar
Name: Old Catholic Church of Bogomolje
Type of building: historical sacred building
Old Catholic parish in Bogomolje: organized in 1925
Construction of the church: 1935
Founder and first priest: Juraj-Ivo Barbarić
Historical significance: first Old Catholic parish in Dalmatia
Architectural style: pseudoromanesque with elements of modern and local Dalmatian sacred architecture
Layout: single-nave church with an apse
Special features of the façade: elongated windows, rose window, and bell tower
Current function: primarily historical and cultural heritage
Tourist visit to the interior: not standardly organized
Access: via the main road through Bogomolje
Parking: available spots in the settlement area
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