The reason for building the branch church was the considerable distance (7–12 km) that Kelčov's faithful had to travel to reach the parish church, combined with mountainous terrain. Nearly half of the parishioners at the time lived in Kelčov and the settlement of Zátoka.
Originally, a wooden church was planned for the area, but ultimately a stone church was built, with the Archbishop of Olomouc, Dr. Leopold Prečan, contributing construction timber for the project. The church plans were prepared by the Archbishop's Building Office in Kroměříž in 1930. Construction began in autumn 1930 and was almost completed by the end of July 1931. The church was solemnly consecrated by the parish priest and dean of Žilina, Prelate Tomáš Ružička, on Sunday, August 30, 1931. In 2010, both the interior and exterior of the church were renovated, and on Saturday, November 13, it was ceremonially consecrated by the Bishop of the Diocese of Žilina, Mons. Tomáš Galis.
Text by: Mgr. Drahomír Velička, PhD.
Photographs: Štefan Strýček
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