Landesgedächtniskirche St. Paulus

The Landesgedächtniskirche St. Paulus, commonly referred to as Pauluskirche, is a Roman Catholic parish church located in the Reichenau district of Innsbruck. The building, dedicated to the apostle Paul, was constructed between 1959 and 1960. It is not only a place of worship, but also a monument to the Tyrolean struggle for freedom and the life of Bishop Paulus Rusch, who played a significant role in the reconstruction of the diocese after the Second World War.

The History of the Church

After the Second World War, Innsbruck experienced a population increase and subsequently faced a shortage of housing. To address this issue, a new district called Reichenau was established in 1952. This district was designed to accommodate over 10,000 residents.

In 1954, a church dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary was established as an emergency measure. It was located in a former warehouse barracks within the abandoned municipal building yard in Pradler Saggen, on the outskirts of the newly developed residential area.

However, this church was not sufficient to meet the spiritual needs of the growing community. Therefore, the State of Tyrol established the “Tyrolean State Memorial Church of St. Paul” foundation to honor the 150th anniversary of the Tyrolean struggle for freedom in 1809 and Bishop Paulus Rusch’s silver jubilee as a priest. The state contributed 2 million shillings, while an additional 800,000 shillings was donated by the population.

On April 9, 1959, Bishop Rusch had the honor of laying the foundation stone for the new church. The event was attended by the state government, including Governor Hans Tschiggfrey. The first celebration and consecration of the tower cross took place in February 1960. The church was consecrated both inside and outside by Bishop Rusch on November 26 and 27, 1960. St. Paulus became an independent parish on January 1, 1961. It was formed by combining portions of the parishes of Pradl, Neupradl, and Dreiheiligen. In 1984, the parish of St. Pirmin in the southern region of Reichenau was established as a separate entity due to the previous parish becoming too large.

The Architecture of the Church

The church was constructed between 1959 and 1960 after architect Martin Eichberger won a competition with his plans. St. Paulus is a building made of reinforced concrete, with a polygonal base measuring 900 m². The walls on the east and west sides are curved outward, while the north wall, which faces Reichenauer Strasse, features floor-to-ceiling glass mosaic windows with perpendicular walls standing next to them. The south wall is undivided and lacks windows, except for the connecting wing that leads to the vicarage. The tower, which stands 46 meters tall, is attached to the main entrance at the west corner. The belfry, which was originally open, was eventually closed.

The hall church’s interior is oriented towards the east, with an elevated sanctuary. The altar mosaic on the east wall features a depiction by Max Spielmann. It showcases the conversion of St. Paul as he travels from Jerusalem to Damascus, as well as his execution in Rome. Above this scene, there is a representation of Christ in the mandorla. Originally, the high altar was located underneath, but it was later moved to the front of the room following the liturgical reform of the Second Vatican Council. The side altars on the staggered north wall feature depictions of the Mother of God and St. Don Bosco. These depictions were created by Karl Obleitner using painted ceramic plates. Max Spielmann’s crucifix is displayed on the back wall. Max Spielmann designed the glass mosaic windows, which were then executed by the Tyrolean Glass Painting and Mosaic Institute. Max Spielmann designed the remaining interior elements of the church, including the tabernacle featuring the Last Supper, the Stations of the Cross on the south wall, the baptismal font, the apostle crosses, the holy water font, and the door handles.

In the western section, there is an organ gallery that is supported by seven pillars. The mechanical slider chest organ, built by Walcker-Mayer & Cie., is located in Guntramsdorf. It features two manuals, 25 registers, and a total of 1832 pipes.

The Grassmayr bell foundry cast the four bells, which were dedicated in 1961. The weights of the statues are 550 kg.

The Significance of the Church

The Landesgedächtniskirche St. Paulus is not only a remarkable example of modern church architecture, but also a symbol of faith and freedom for the people of Tyrol. The church commemorates the Tyrolean struggle for freedom in 1809, when the Tyroleans rose up against the Bavarian and French occupation under the leadership of Andreas Hofer. The church also honors the life and work of Bishop Paulus Rusch, who was the bishop of Innsbruck from 1948 to 1980. He was instrumental in the reconstruction of the diocese after the war, as well as the promotion of social and pastoral initiatives. He was also a champion of ecumenism and dialogue with other Christian denominations and religions.

The church is dedicated to the apostle Paul, who is considered to be the patron saint of Tyrol. Paul was a zealous persecutor of Christians before he encountered Christ on his way to Damascus. He then became one of the most influential missionaries and theologians of the early church. He suffered many hardships and trials for the sake of the gospel, and was eventually beheaded in Rome. His life and writings inspire many Christians to follow Christ faithfully and courageously.

The Landesgedächtniskirche St. Paulus is a place where the faithful can gather to worship, pray, and celebrate the sacraments. It is also a place where visitors can admire the artistic and architectural beauty of the church, and learn about the history and culture of Tyrol. It is a place where the past, present, and future of the Tyrolean people are intertwined. It is a place where the spirit of St. Paul lives on.

Innsbruck, Austria