Christuskirche (Gröbming)

The Christ Church in Gröbming is the parish church of the Evangelical Lutheran denomination. Christuskirche is a member of the Evangelical Superintendency AB Styria.

Protestantism had gained a strong foothold in the Gröbminger area of ​​the Ennstal since 1550, thanks to the tolerant attitude of Admont abbot Valentin Abel.In 1570, Martin Schröffel, the son of a farmer, was appointed as the first Lutheran pastor and preacher in Gröbming. However, in 1599, he was dismissed due to the Counter-Reformation, which aimed to suppress Protestantism. This decision was made despite the strong opposition from the predominantly Protestant population.After Emperor Joseph II issued the Tolerance Patent in 1781, there was initially no one who openly practiced the Protestant faith. It was only when Protestants from other areas relocated to Schladming that supervised affiliate congregations were established. These congregations held their services in farmhouses.The parish of Gröbming was re-established in 1852, following the 1848 revolution that ensured freedom of religion.Josef Pultar was the first pastor of the parish, serving during the latter half of the 19th century.

In 1947, Leopold Achberger, the pastor of Gröbminger, was appointed as the inaugural superintendent of the newly established Evangelical Superintendency AB Styria.

The Gröbminger Christuskirche was built from 1850 to 1852, thanks to a generous parishioner who provided the building site free of charge. This new church was constructed outside the local area where the existing church building stood.On June 29, 1853, the church inauguration was held, with funding provided by the Gustav Adolf Association and the Protestant parishes of Schladming and Ramsau.Between 1905 and 1910, the tower located in the northern choir corner underwent renovations. It was raised and given a pointed helmet, while the interior of the church, which originally had a flat barrel-vaulted design, was transformed to reflect Gothic architectural elements.

The altar, adorned with statues of Peter and Paul, features an altarpiece depicting the return of Christ. This remarkable artwork was generously donated by Wilhelm I, the Prussian King.Friedrich Wagner, an organ builder from Graz, designed a one-manual organ featuring three front panels.