If you go from Jilemnice towards Mísečky, soon turn left. A steep path will lead you to the charming Krkonoše village of Křížlice. You can also take the other road through Poniklá and Jestřábí. However, you will miss a splendid view of picturesque hills and meadows with views of Přední and Zadní Žalý dominated by a Protestant church. Nowadays, Křížlice is a part of the village Jestřábí. The first records of the settlement are from 1492. In the period of the Reformation the village was Protestant. After the Battle of the White Mountain, here as elsewhere in the Czech Lands there was an effort to re-catholicize the inhabitants.
This effort was not however very successful: soon after the proclamation of the Toleration Patent in 1781 the Protestants from all over Křížlice region meet here; as early as in 1782 they founded the congregation, whose members professed the Augsburg (Lutheran) Confession. At that time also the Lutheran Protestants from remote Libštát and Spálov belonged to the Lutheran congregation of Křížlice.
A toleration house of prayer similar to many permitted houses of prayer of that time (as we know them from other places) was built in 1786 behind the village, without a tower. It was additionally built in 1878 and the ringing of the bells has been resounding since that time over the mountain hills and valleys. The inner equipment of the church corresponds with the original house of prayer, with a pulpit over the altar and with a typical Lutheran “fence“. Also wooden galleries and pews remind us of the old times. The organ was placed on the choir later. A cemetery which is situated around the church comes also from the toleration period and it has served its purpose until now. Nearby architecturally rich rectory with a mansard roof was built in 1871 and now it is used for a recreation. Old Protestant school belonging to the church is a popular place for summer and winter vacation for the young people.
Since 1918 the congregation is a part of the Evangelical Church of Czech Brethren (ECCB). It is worth noticing that in the war years Křížlice was a part of the German Empire – but still the Word of God was preached here in the Czech language and it was a great support to many people. After the Second World War also the Protestants from Křížlice began to move to towns, but they always like to come back to their congregation.