Theresienkirche (St. Teresa of the Child Jesus)

The Theresienkirche, also known as Zur hl. Theresia vom Kinde Jesu, is a Roman Catholic parish and pilgrimage church located in the Hungerburg district of Innsbruck. The church, which was constructed in 1931/32, is dedicated to Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, a French nun and mystic who is widely venerated as a patron saint of missions, florists, and France.

The History of the Church

The history of the Theresienkirche dates back to 1910, when the “Mariabrunn Church Building Association” was established on the Hungerburg, where there was previously no church. One of the founding members offered a piece of land located at the intersection of Gramartstrasse and Hungerburgweg. Originally, there were plans to construct a modest chapel featuring a wooden turret. However, the construction process experienced delays due to the outbreak of World War I and the subsequent economic crisis.

In 1927, a temporary church was established in a garden house and dedicated to Theresa of the Child Jesus, who had been canonized just two years prior. The chapel contained both an image and a relic of the saint, which attracted a large number of pilgrims from the city and beyond. The presence of these sites prompted the consideration of constructing a new church that could accommodate the growing number of devotees.

In 1931, a public competition was announced for the construction of the pilgrimage and parish church of St. Theresia vom Kinde Jesu. Several renowned Tyrolean architects, such as Siegfried Mazagg, Franz Baumann, and Clemens Holzmeister, participated in the competition. Willi Stigler, a young architect, was awarded first prize for his modern design. However, the simpler and more conventional design by Siegfried Thurner was ultimately chosen, likely due to financial considerations. The construction was funded solely through club funds and donations. During a “brick action,” a group of believers transported a grand total of 46,000 bricks from the city to the construction site. The church was consecrated on June 19, 1932, and during this event, the miraculous image and relic were transferred from the chapel to the church.

The Theresienkirche faced a serious threat during the Nazi regime. In 1941, the church and Widum were expropriated in favor of the NSDAP. In 1942, the church was sold for an exorbitant price to Karl Neuwirth, a merchant and councilor from Innsbruck. Neuwirth intended to have it demolished and repurposed for residential use. The Gauleitung, upon the urging of the Apostolic Administration, prevented this from happening, but only temporarily during the war. The plan was to demolish the church after achieving the “final victory.” Fortunately, the church survived the war and was returned to the parish in 1946.

The interior of the building underwent a redesign in 1987 by Ekkehard Hörmann, in line with the liturgical reform of the Second Vatican Council. The redesign aimed to create a more intimate and participatory space for the faithful, while preserving the artistic and historical value of the church.

The pilgrimage church was originally a branch church of Hötting, but it was elevated to the status of a parish vicarage in 1973. In 1983, Bishop Reinhold Stecher initiated the transfer of pastoral care for the Hungerburg to the Discalced Carmelites. As part of the arrangement, the Discalced Carmelites established a monastery in the vicarage. The Carmelites continue to serve the parish and the pilgrims to this day.

The Architecture and Art of the Church

The Theresienkirche is situated on the slope of the Nordkette, a little higher than the street. It is distinguished by an embankment wall with a staircase that leads to the church entrance. The church is a Romanesque hall church, characterized by its longitudinal design and solid block forms. It features largely undivided wall surfaces that contrast with the surrounding landscape. The church tower is cubic in shape and has an outer pulpit located on the south-west corner. It is rotated by 45° in relation to the church axis. A canopy surrounds the south-facing entrance and the tower. The north side features a retracted, semi-circular closed apse that is surrounded by extensions. To the west, you will find the vicarage and the monastery of the Carmelites.

The interior of the building is architecturally simple, featuring a high, flat roof. The dominant decoration within the space consists of large frescoes that cover the walls and the ceiling. The high triumphal arch features representations of the Holy Family, St. Theresia, Christ, and angels. These artworks were created by Ernst Nepo in 1935. The frescoes on the nave walls, which were created by Max Weiler in 1946/1947, depict scenes from the life and spirituality of St. Theresia, such as her childhood, her entrance to the Carmel, her illness, and her death. The frescoes also include symbols and quotes from her writings, such as the roses, the cross, and the “little way” of love and trust. The frescoes aim to convey the message of St. Theresia, who said: “I want to spend my heaven doing good on earth.”

The main altar, which was designed by Siegfried Thurner, is made of marble and features a bronze tabernacle. The altar is adorned with a statue of St. Theresia holding a crucifix and roses, which was sculpted by Josef Bachlechner the Younger in 1932. The side altars are dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. The church also contains a chapel of St. Joseph, a chapel of the Blessed Sacrament, and a chapel of the Holy Cross. The church has several stained glass windows, some of which were designed by Martin Häusle in 1987. The church also has a pipe organ, which was built by the Rieger company in 1932 and renovated in 1987.

The Theresienkirche is not only a place of worship, but also a place of pilgrimage. The church contains a miraculous image and a relic of St. Theresia, which are venerated by the faithful. The image, which was painted by an unknown artist in 1927, shows St. Theresia in her Carmelite habit, holding a crucifix and roses. The image is said to have shed tears on several occasions, especially during times of distress and danger. The relic, which is a piece of bone from the saint’s arm, is kept in a silver reliquary. The church celebrates the feast of St. Theresia on October 1, and organizes various devotions and activities throughout the year.

The Theresienkirche is a remarkable example of Tyrolean religious architecture and art in the 20th century. It is a testament to the faith and devotion of the people who built it and preserved it. It is also a tribute to the life and legacy of St. Theresia, who continues to inspire and intercede for the people of God. The Theresienkirche invites everyone to discover the beauty and the joy of the “little way” of St. Theresia, who said: “My mission is to make God loved.”

Innsbruck, Austria