Kostel svatého Jakuba Staršího (Staňkov II) Church

The Church of Saint James the Elder in Staňkov is the parish church of the local parish and is protected as a cultural monument. It was originally a Gothic structure that was transformed over the centuries by several reconstructions.

The church and the rectory are documented in written sources as early as 1271. In the second half of the 17th century, the presbytery was renovated, and in 1673 the tower was also adapted, with four bells added to its bell chamber at that time. Two of them were requisitioned in 1916 for military purposes. From 1738 onwards, extensive Baroque modifications to the main nave took place, during which the nave was extended. This date is also inscribed on the granite main portal's keystone. The clock chamber of the tower was added in 1751.

Until 1784, a cemetery surrounded the church, which was abolished by a decree of Joseph II. The boundary wall around the church was demolished in 1833. Further reconstructions took place in 1909, between 1987 and 1991, and in the years 2012 to 2017.

The church is single-naved, with a rectangular ground plan. The nave is followed by a narrower presbytery with a five-sided closure, and a square clock tower adjoins its northern side. On the ground floor of the tower is the sacristy, and on the fifth floor is the bell chamber. The tower is topped with an onion dome with a cupola, finial, and cross. The western façade is crowned by a gable with volute wings and an undulating split cornice. The nave is illuminated by barred windows with stucco frames, while the chancel has pointed windows.

The interior has a flat ceiling with fresco decoration. The walls of the nave are rhythmically articulated by bundle pilasters with Composite capitals. In the western section is an organ loft supported by two pillars, whose richly undulating balustrade projects into the space. The presbytery belongs to the oldest surviving parts of the church. It is covered by two bays of cross and radial vaulting, whose ribs converge in circular relief keystones. Still in 2001, a Gothic roof structure was preserved above both the nave and the presbytery.

An early Baroque wooden main altar of portal type dates from 1685. It bears a painting of Saint James by the painter Martin Strejc from Horšovský Týn. From the second half of the 17th century are also the side altars of Saint Sebastian and Saint John of Nepomuk, originally dedicated to the Virgin Mary. From the same period comes the pulpit, which was renovated in the 19th century. The church acquired a Neo-Gothic Marian altar in 1914 and the Stations of the Cross on the walls of the nave in 1930. The original glass chandelier from 1849 was replaced by a refurbished electric chandelier.