Christuskirche Innsbruck

Christuskirche, or Christ Church, is a Protestant church located in the Saggen district of Innsbruck, the provincial capital of Tyrol. It is the main church of the Evangelical Superintendency of Salzburg and Tyrol, and a prominent landmark in the city. The church was constructed between 1905 and 1906, following a design by Viennese architects Clemens Kattner and Gustav Knell. The church building, designed in the neo-Gothic style, incorporates elements of neo-Romanesque architecture, such as barrel vaults and round arches. The church features a single nave and a shallow transept, and a tall facade tower with a pointed spire. The facade is distinguished by the alternating smooth, white plastered walls and exposed stone walls made of Höttinger Breccia. The church also has a beautifully designed semi-circular baptistery in the north, and a sculpture of the “Head of Christ” by Alexander Illitsch above the portal. The church’s interior features several distinct architectural elements, such as a groined vault in the vestibule, a lunette vault in the nave, a barrel vault in the lower transept, and a folded vault in the chancel. The stained glass in the nave depicts scenes from the Bible and the history of Protestantism.

The History of Christuskirche

The history of Christuskirche is closely intertwined with the history of Protestantism in Innsbruck and Tyrol. In 1861, the Protestant Church in the Austrian Empire was granted the Protestant Patent, which granted them rights similar to those of the Catholic Church. This was a significant step for the recognition and acceptance of Protestantism in the predominantly Catholic country. The “Protestant Congregation of Faiths in Innsbruck” was established in 1869, as one of the first Protestant congregations in Tyrol. Initially, the congregation was only permitted to hold church services at home, due to the resistance and hostility from the local population and authorities. In 1875, the ministry granted permission for the establishment of Protestant communities in Tyrol, paving the way for the official formation of the “Evangelical Church Community A. and HB, Innsbruck” on January 28, 1876. This was just a few days before a similar community was established in Meran, another city in Tyrol.

In 1879, the congregation obtained the closed KK Normal School located in Kiebachgasse, situated in the old town. The chapel within the school premises became the new venue for holding services. However, as the congregation experienced significant growth in the following years, with membership surpassing 1,000 individuals, the chapel soon became too small and inadequate for the needs of the community. As a result, plans were made in 1895 to construct a new church. In 1896, Pastor Arnold Wehrenfennig established a building fund that received generous donations, primarily from Protestant regions in Germany. The city of Innsbruck also offered land in the recently developed Saggen district, which was considered a suitable location for the new church. A total of 86 designs were submitted for an architectural competition, which was judged by a jury of experts. The design created by Viennese architects Clemens Kattner and Gustav Knell was chosen as the winning design, and it was subsequently executed by Josef Retter, a local architect and builder. The groundbreaking ceremony for the church took place in the spring of 1905, and the first celebrations were held in July of the same year. On May 20, 1906, the church was officially inaugurated with a service, attended by representatives of the Protestant Church, the city, and the state.

The Changes and Challenges of Christuskirche

Since its inauguration, Christuskirche has undergone several changes and faced various challenges, reflecting the changing times and circumstances of the Protestant community in Innsbruck and Tyrol. In 1953, Toni Kirchmayr, a Tyrolean painter and sculptor, repainted and frescoed the church, adding color and vibrancy to the interior. He also added several Bible verses and symbols to the walls and ceilings, enhancing the spiritual atmosphere of the church. In 1975, there were plans to dismantle the altar, pulpit, and pews, and instead arrange chairs in a semicircle around the altar room, in order to create a more modern and flexible space for worship and community. However, due to resistance from the community, especially the older members, the plans were abandoned, and the church underwent renovations both inside and out, preserving its original structure and appearance. However, the paintings and Bible verses were whitewashed, removing the traces of Kirchmayr’s work.

In 2006, Christuskirche underwent a major conversion and was transformed into an “open evangelical center”, with the aim of opening up the church to the wider society and offering a variety of services and activities for different groups and interests. The church’s interior underwent renovations and significant changes to serve its intended purpose. The altar, pulpit, and pews were removed, and the floor was leveled, creating a large and open space that can be used for various events and functions. The church also installed a modern sound and lighting system, as well as a projector and a screen, to facilitate multimedia presentations and performances. The church also added a cafe and a bookstore, as well as a children’s play area and a youth room, to cater to the needs and preferences of different age groups. The church also hosts regular concerts, lectures, exhibitions, workshops, and other cultural and educational events, in addition to the traditional worship services and religious activities. The church aims to be a place of encounter, dialogue, and diversity, where people of different backgrounds, beliefs, and opinions can come together and share their experiences and perspectives.

The Daughter Church of Christuskirche

Christuskirche is not the only Protestant church in Innsbruck. The Church of the Resurrection in Reichenau, located in the eastern part of the city, is the second evangelical church in Innsbruck, and a daughter church of Christuskirche. The church was constructed between 1962 and 1964, following a design by architect Heinz Gapp. The church building, designed in a modern style, features a simple and elegant structure, with a flat roof and a rectangular shape. The church has a large window on the east side, facing the Nordkette mountain range, and a small window on the west side, facing the city. The church also has a slender bell tower on the south side, and a cross on the north side. The church’s interior is characterized by a minimalist and functional design, with a wooden altar, a metal cross, and a stone baptismal font. The church also has a small organ and a choir loft. The church is surrounded by a garden, which provides a peaceful and natural setting for the church.

The Church of the Resurrection was established as a daughter church of Christuskirche in 1968, branching off from the main church. This was due to the growing number of Protestant residents in the eastern part of the city, who found it difficult and inconvenient to travel to the Saggen district for church services and activities. By 1970, the church had gained independence and became its own parish, with its own pastor and council. The church serves the Protestant community in the eastern part of the city, as well as the neighboring villages of Rum, Thaur, and Absam. The church offers regular worship services and religious education, as well as various social and cultural events, such as concerts, exhibitions, and festivals. The church also cooperates with other churches and organizations in the area, such as the Catholic parish, the ecumenical council, and the Caritas. The church strives to be a welcoming and inclusive place, where people can find spiritual guidance and support, as well as fellowship and friendship.

Innsbruck, Austria