Herz-Jesu-Kirche

The Herz-Jesu-Kirche, also known as the parish church, Graz-Herz Jesu is a Roman Catholic church located in the St. Leonhard district of Graz. It was constructed in the neo-Gothic brick style.The building, which was constructed between 1881 and 1887, boasts the third highest church tower in Austria and holds significant historical value as one of the most important historicist buildings in Styria.

In 1875, Prince Bishop Johann Baptist Zwerger from South Tyrol, who had a deep admiration for the Sacred Heart, made the initial call for the construction of a Sacred Heart Church in Graz.The church was intended to serve as a parish center for the rapidly expanding Gründerzeit quarter in today’s St. Leonhard district. Additionally, it was meant to be a significant monument dedicated to the veneration of the Sacred Heart.

After extensive deliberations on the architectural style, the idea of constructing a church resembling the Viennese Votive Church was dismissed due to budget constraints. Eventually, Georg von Hauberrisser, the architect behind the Munich City Hall, made the decision to build the church in the neo-Gothic brick style, inspired by the North German churches constructed in the brick Gothic style.The foundation stone for the building was laid in 1881, followed by a celebration for the topping-out in 1885. Finally, the construction of the high tower was completed in 1887.The church was consecrated on June 5, 1891. However, it wasn’t elevated to the status of a parish church until October 10, 1902.A comprehensive exterior restoration was carried out in 2004 and 2005. You can find more information about it by visiting the provided web links.

The church and the rectory, both constructed in the same architectural style, are situated within a park and clearly exhibit the influence of romantic ideals.To create a grand presence on a relatively flat building site, the church was constructed with two levels. The lower church, designed with arcades that open up to the park, connects with the upper church situated above it. This architectural approach was employed to achieve a monumental aesthetic.The south-west tower of the church stands at a height of 109.6 meters. Although its exact location is not specified, it is noteworthy that this tower is the third tallest church tower in Austria. The only towers that surpass it in height are those of St. Stephen’s Cathedral in Vienna and the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary in Linz.