Pfarre Christkönig – Friedenskirche

The Peace Church of Linz, or Friedenskirche Linz, is a Roman Catholic parish church that stands in the Urfahr neighborhood of Linz, the capital of Upper Austria. The church is dedicated to Christ the King, the patron saint of peace and justice, and serves as a spiritual and cultural center for the local community. The church has a rich and fascinating history, as well as a remarkable artistic and architectural heritage.

The Origins of the Church

The Peace Church of Linz was born out of the need for a second parish church in Urfahr, a district of Linz that lies on the northern bank of the Danube river. The first parish church in Urfahr, the Josefskirche, was built in 1891, but soon became too small for the growing population. In 1927, the decision was made to construct a new church, closer to the Josefskirche, on a plot of land donated by the Linz city council.

The construction of the new church was entrusted to a team of architects, led by Hans Feichtlbauer, who had designed the Josefskirche. The original plan was to build a monumental church with a central dome, a high nave, and two towers. However, due to the economic and political difficulties of the time, the project had to be modified and scaled down. The first phase of the construction, from 1933 to 1934, resulted in a small chapel, dedicated to the baptism and the war memorial, and the entrance area of the future nave, which served as a temporary emergency church. The chapel was later named the Peace Chapel, in honor of the victims of the World War I and II.

The second phase of the construction, from 1949 to 1951, completed the nave and the choir tower, which replaced the planned second tower. The church was consecrated as a parish church in 1952, and named Urfahr-Christkönig, or Urfahr-Christ the King. The church was also known as Friedenskirche, or Peace Church, because of its dedication to peace and its location near the Peace Bridge, which connects Urfahr with the rest of Linz.

The third phase of the construction, in 1971, added a weekday chapel, where smaller services and meetings could be held. The fourth and final phase, from 1997 to 1999, renovated the sacristy and built a parish hall, where various activities and events could take place.

The Art and Architecture of the Church

The Peace Church of Linz is a remarkable example of modern church architecture, combining elements of expressionism, functionalism, and neoclassicism. The church has a simple and elegant exterior, with a red brick facade and a white concrete roof. The church has a rectangular shape, with a slightly curved apse and a slender tower. The tower, which rises to 42 meters, has a distinctive cross-shaped window and a copper-clad spire. The tower also houses four bells, which ring in different tones: Christ the King’s bell, in C; Mary’s bell, in E-flat; Joseph’s bell, in F; and Christopher’s bell, in A-flat.

The interior of the church is spacious and bright, with a high ceiling and large windows. The nave has a capacity of 600 seats, arranged in a semicircular pattern around the altar. The altar, made of marble and bronze, is the focal point of the church, and features a relief of Christ the King, surrounded by angels and saints. Behind the altar, on the wall of the apse, is a magnificent fresco of Christ the King, painted by Max Weiler, a renowned Austrian artist. The fresco depicts Christ as the ruler of the universe, holding a scepter and a globe, and blessing the world with his right hand. The fresco also shows the symbols of the four evangelists, the lamb of God, and the dove of the Holy Spirit.

The church also has several stained glass windows, which add color and light to the interior. The windows in the nave and the baptistery were designed by Lydia Roppolt, and depict scenes from the life of Christ, such as the nativity, the baptism, the crucifixion, and the resurrection. The windows in the choir and the Peace Chapel were designed by Alfred Stifter, and show abstract patterns and symbols, such as the cross, the fish, and the alpha and omega. The choir also has a circular window, which represents the sun and the moon, and the harmony of creation.

Another artistic feature of the church is the Stations of the Cross, created by Leo Sebastian Humer, a sculptor and painter. The Stations of the Cross are fourteen wooden reliefs, which depict the passion and death of Christ, from his condemnation to his burial. The reliefs are placed along the walls of the nave, and invite the faithful to meditate and pray.

The church also has a remarkable organ, built by Wilhelm Zika, an organ builder from Linz. The organ was installed in 1957, and has 36 registers, 2 manuals, and a pedal. The organ is used for liturgical and musical purposes, and enhances the acoustics and the atmosphere of the church.

The Peace Chapel

The Peace Chapel, or Friedenskapelle, is a small chapel that is attached to the main church, and serves as a place of prayer and remembrance. The chapel was originally built as a baptismal and war memorial chapel, and was later dedicated to peace. The chapel has a simple and sober interior, with a wooden ceiling and a stone floor. The chapel has a small altar, with a crucifix and a candle. The chapel also has a life-size Pietà, sculpted by Adolf Wagner von der Mühl, a famous Austrian artist. The Pietà is a unique and moving representation of the sorrowful Mary, holding the body of Jesus at her feet. The Pietà is made of white marble, and contrasts with the dark background of the chapel.

The chapel also has a memorial wall, where the names of the fallen soldiers and civilians from Urfahr are inscribed. The wall also has a plaque, which reads: “In memory of the victims of war and violence. Pray for peace in the world.” The chapel is open to the public, and welcomes anyone who wishes to pay their respects, or to seek peace and comfort.

Linz, Austria