Neu-Arzl Parish Church

The Neu-Arzl Parish Church, also known as the Church of St. Pius X, is a striking example of modernist architecture in Innsbruck, Austria. Designed by Josef Lackner, a prominent Tyrolean architect, the church was built between 1958 and 1960 in the Olympic Village, a new residential area on the outskirts of the city. The church was dedicated to Pope Pius X, a reformer who advocated for the renewal of the Catholic Church in the 20th century.

A Symbolic Entrance

The church welcomes visitors with a simple but powerful message: “Renew everything in Christ”. This motto of Pope Pius X is inscribed on a white marble slab above the main entrance, which contrasts with the dark concrete facade of the church. Marble, a traditional material for religious buildings, signifies the continuity of the faith, while concrete, a modern material for industrial and urban structures, signifies the adaptation to the changing times.

As one enters the church, the eye is immediately drawn to the altar, which stands out as the focal point of the space. The altar is made of white marble, like the entrance slab, and is elevated on a platform that can be accessed by a bridge-like passage. Behind the altar, a large crucifix dominates the wall, with a stained glass window as its backdrop. The window, the only one in the church, depicts the Holy Spirit as a dove, surrounded by rays of light.

A Minimalist Interior

The interior of the church is characterized by a minimalist aesthetic, with little color or decoration. The walls and the coffered ceiling are made of exposed concrete, creating a uniform and sober atmosphere. The only ornaments are the stations of the cross, which are placed along the walls in niches. The church has a rectangular plan, with a half-height wall enclosing the nave and separating it from the outside world. This wall creates a sense of intimacy and community among the worshippers, who are invited to focus on the essentials: religion and celebration.

The church has a capacity of 400 seats, arranged in rows facing the altar. The seats are made of wood, adding a touch of warmth and naturalness to the space. The choir is located near the altar, on the same level as the congregation. This arrangement was a compromise between the architect and the bishop, who initially disagreed on the placement of the choir. Lackner wanted to put the choir behind the altar, in a recessed area, where it would be hidden from the audience. The bishop, however, insisted on having the choir visible and audible to the whole church.

A Connection with Nature

One of the most distinctive features of the church is the belt of windows that runs along the perimeter of the building, just below the ceiling. These windows allow natural light to enter the space, creating a dynamic and changing effect throughout the day. The windows also offer glimpses of the surrounding landscape, such as the mountains, the sky, and the trees. The architect wanted to create a connection between the inside and the outside, between the sacred and the profane, between the human and the divine.

Another way that the architect achieved this connection was by cutting off the corners of the building, creating large triangular openings that frame the views of nature. These openings also serve as entrances to the church, creating a unique and dramatic form. The idea of cutting off the corners came about as a spontaneous solution to a problem that arose during the design process. When Lackner presented the final plans and a model of the church to the pastor, the latter complained that the church was too dark and gloomy. Lackner then quickly snipped off the corners of the model with scissors, creating the openings that would become the signature of the church.

A Starry Sky

The church underwent a renovation in 2010, which involved the replacement of the original lighting system. The old neon tubes, which were installed in some of the coffers of the ceiling, were replaced by LED rods, which were installed in all of the coffers. The LED rods create a starry sky effect, enhancing the spirituality and the beauty of the space. The renovation also improved the acoustics and the heating of the church, making it more comfortable and functional.

Innsbruck, Austria