Evangelical Parish Church of Bad Ischl

The Evangelical Parish Church of Bad Ischl is a Protestant church in the spa town of Bad Ischl, Upper Austria. It was built in the late 19th century as part of a school and parsonage complex, and is also known as the Church of Peace.

The History of the Church

The Church of Peace was not always a church. It was originally a granary, built in 1783 by the salt administration of the Habsburg monarchy. The granary served as a storage place for the salt that was extracted from the nearby salt mines and transported by the Ischl river.

The granary was also a refuge for the Protestants, who faced persecution and discrimination under the Catholic rulers. The Protestants were forbidden from building their own churches, so they had to use the granary as a secret place of worship. They also had to pay a special tax, called the “Toleration Money”, for the privilege of practicing their religion.

The situation changed in 1861, when Emperor Franz Joseph I granted religious freedom to all his subjects. The Protestants of Bad Ischl seized the opportunity and bought the granary from the salt administration. They then converted it into a church, with the help of architect Wilhelm Flattich and builder Johann Schwaiger. The church was inaugurated on October 15, 1881, and dedicated to the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ.

The Architecture of the Church

The Church of Peace is a remarkable example of neo-Gothic architecture, blending harmoniously with the surrounding landscape. The church consists of two parts: the nave, which is the main hall of worship, and the parsonage, which is the residence and office of the pastor.

The nave has a rectangular shape, with a pointed roof and a tower at the west end. The tower has a height of 37 meters and a clock that chimes every quarter hour. The interior of the nave is decorated with wooden beams, stained glass windows, and paintings. The most prominent feature is the altarpiece, depicting the “Inviting Christ” by Pfannschmidt from Berlin. The altarpiece shows Jesus with open arms, welcoming all who come to him. The pulpit, the baptismal font, and the organ gallery are also located in the nave.

The parsonage is attached to the south side of the nave, forming a single building. The parsonage has a separate entrance from the east, with a sign that reads “Jesus speaks: Let the little children come to me”. The parsonage houses the parish hall, where various events and activities take place, as well as the offices and apartments of the pastor and his family.

The Role of the Church

The Church of Peace is more than just a place of worship. It is also a place of community, education, and service. The church belongs to the Evangelical Superintendency AB Upper Austria, which is the regional branch of the Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in Austria. The church serves around 1350 Protestant Christians, who live in the municipalities of Bad Ischl and St. Wolfgang. The church also cooperates with six other Protestant churches and prayer houses in the area, forming the Evangelical Parish of Bad Ischl.

The church offers a variety of programs and activities for its members and visitors, such as Sunday services, Bible studies, prayer meetings, choir rehearsals, youth groups, women’s groups, seniors’ groups, and ecumenical dialogues. The church also supports various social and charitable causes, such as the Diakonie, the Red Cross, the Caritas, and the World Vision. The church also hosts cultural events, such as concerts, exhibitions, lectures, and festivals.

The Church of Peace is a symbol of the Protestant heritage and identity in Bad Ischl. It is a place where people can find peace, hope, and love in the midst of a turbulent world. It is a place where people can celebrate their faith, share their gifts, and serve their neighbors. It is a place where people can experience the grace and mercy of God.

Bad Ischl, Austria