Churches & Cathedrals In St. Pölten
St. Pölten, the capital city of Lower Austria, stands as a testament to its rich religious architecture, with the Cathedral of the Assumption of Mary, or Sankt Pölten Cathedral, taking center stage. This Roman Catholic cathedral, originally part of an Augustinian abbey dating back to the 12th century, boasts a unique blend of Romanesque structure and Baroque aesthetics resulting from centuries of renovations. Featuring a westwork with two towers, a nave with three aisles, a choir with a polygonal apse, and a high altar adorned with Daniel Gran’s painting of the Assumption, the cathedral also houses a museum showcasing various artworks and relics from the diocese’s history.
Adding to the city’s religious landscape is the Franciscan Church and Monastery, a notable structure in the old town. Constructed in the 13th century in Gothic style and later transformed in the Baroque era, the church comprises a single nave with a ribbed vault, a polygonal choir, and a side chapel dedicated to St. Anthony of Padua. The associated monastery, founded in 1227 by the Franciscan order, played a crucial role as a center of learning and culture during the Middle Ages.
The Prandtauer Church and Carmelite Court, designed by the renowned Baroque architect Jakob Prandtauer in the early 18th century, present another architectural gem in St. Pölten. The church, dedicated to St. Joseph, features a simple facade with a triangular pediment and a bell tower. Internally, the church is adorned with intricate frescoes, stucco, and marble. The adjacent Carmelite Court, once a convent, now serves as a cultural center hosting concerts and exhibitions.
Beyond these prominent structures, St. Pölten is home to numerous other churches and cathedrals, each encapsulating its distinct history, architectural style, and cultural significance. The Parish Church of St. George, the Parish Church of St. Lawrence, the Parish Church of St. Michael, the Church of the Holy Cross, the Church of the Holy Trinity, and the Church of the Sacred Heart collectively contribute to the city’s diverse and enduring religious heritage. Each of these religious sites stands as a testament to the spiritual and artistic evolution of St. Pölten, providing visitors with a captivating glimpse into the city’s profound historical and cultural tapestry.
St. Pölten Cathedral
The Dom zu St. Pölten, established as the cathedral of the Diocese of St. Pölten in 1785, holds a rich history intertwined with the Augustinian Canons’ Monastery. Despite its late Romanesque core, the cathedral exhibits a baroque style, a testament to its architectural evolution.
The roots of St. Pölten Abbey and the cathedral date back to around 790 when Adalbert and Otakar established a secondary monastery in St. Pölten. The monastery, belonging to the diocese of Passau since 828, played a crucial role in missionary work, notably in the Great Moravian Empire. After destruction by the Magyars in 907, it underwent reconstruction following the Battle of Lechfeld in 955.
Converted into an Augustinian monastery in 1081, it later held patronage over St. Peter and dedicated the main altar to St. Stephen and Hippolytus in the 12th century. The cathedral, as it stands today, began taking shape around 1150 with twin towers, undergoing significant renovation after a fire between 1267 and 1280. A fire in 1512 led to the destruction of the north tower, never to be rebuilt.
The 17th century witnessed the cathedral’s transformation into its present appearance. Following a fire in 1621, a baroque-style diocesan building emerged. Provost Johann Michel Führer, inspired by the high Baroque aesthetics of neighboring estates, initiated a grand renovation. Financial troubles prevented the full realization of the plan, leaving only an elevated tower with a new dome and extensive interior remodeling.
Joseph II dissolved the monastery in 1784, and the cathedral became the seat of the newly established diocese of St. Pölten in 1785. The architecture reflects late Romanesque elements, with baroque additions seen in the south tower and dome lights. The apse and south facade maintain their late Romanesque integrity.
The interior, crafted by Jakob Prandtauer, Joseph Munggenast, Daniel Gran, and Bartolomeo Altomonte, boasts baroque splendor. Thomas Friedrich Gedon contributed ceiling frescoes. The high altar, designed by Prandtauer in 1722, is a highlight, featuring an altarpiece by Tobias Pock depicting the Ascension of the Virgin Mary in 1658.
Franciscan Church St. Pölten
The Franciscan Church in St. Pölten, situated on Rathausplatz, is a Roman Catholic parish church with a rich history dating back to the mid-18th century. The church, designated as a historic site along with the Franciscan monastery, stands as a prominent architectural and religious landmark.
Constructed between 1757 and 1768 under the guidance of Baroque master builder Matthias Munggenast, the monastery church initially served as the Carmelite monastery’s church until 1785. Notably, the church was dedicated to the Infant Jesus of Prague until 1779 when it underwent furniture completion. Subsequently, under the administration of the Franciscans, the church was elevated to the status of a parish church in 1785, undergoing restoration in 1986.
The church’s rococo main façade, facing north and adjoining the monastery to the east, exhibits distinct features. The high plinth zone, segmental arch gateway with a 17th-century statue of the Infant Jesus of Prague, Ionic pilaster bundles, and a flat-arched gable contribute to its architectural richness. The main floor, divided into three axes by pilasters, includes statues of Elijah and Teresa of Avila in niches, with the central axis slightly bent. The church also features a high altar with a crucifix and depictions of St. Joachim, Anna, John the Baptist, the Mother of God, and God the Father.
The nave, displaying rococo-style polychromy, is characterized by Platzl vaults, a retracted entry bay, and a concave chancel arch. The choir, recessed and featuring a circular apse, exhibits pilastered walls with gilt capitals. The Loreto chapel behind the choir has vaulted ceilings and altarpieces by Martin Johann Schmidt.
Altars within the church showcase the craftsmanship of Andreas Gruber, with the high altar displaying a crucifix and various depictions, while side altars depict Our Lady on Mount Carmel and the death of St. Teresa. Back side altars present scenes of St. Judas Thaddeus’ martyrdom and St. Johannes Nepomuk delivering charity, both by Martin Johann Schmidt.
The church boasts a neo-baroque altar from around 1900 housing the Madonna figure of the Gorizia Mother of God from the 18th century. The Loreto Chapel features a Rococo sculpture supporting a figure of Our Lady of Loreto. Noteworthy elements include a richly rocaille-carved pulpit, confessional boxes, seats, and a porch built around 1770, and an organ piece by Franz Capek (1904).
Parish Church of St. Pölten-St. Joseph
The Roman Catholic parish church of St. Pölten-St. Josef, situated in the Lower Austrian town of St. Pölten, stands as a significant religious edifice within the Deanery of St. Pölten, affiliated with the Diocese of St. Pölten.
Constructed in the Romanesque style, the three-aisled pillar basilica with a transept was built between 1924 and 1929 under the guidance of master builder Matthäus Schlager. The church’s entry facade faces Pater-Paulus-Platz, commemorating the church’s first pastor, Paulus Wörndl, with a mounted plaque. The north side features three portals, the central one being funnel-shaped, complemented by arched windows and a historicized eaves cornice. A circular apse adorns the recessed chancel, and a free-standing cast metal figure of Christ by sculptor Karl Schwerzek stands to the west of the church on Mariazeller Strasse. Additionally, a high church tower with a pitched roof graces the west side of the transept and chancel.
Internally, the church boasts cross-vaulting and a massive Baroque style, with a north-facing organ gallery. The interior elements, including the high altar, stipes with tiered reredos, and tabernacles adorned with reliefs, along with a figure of St. Josef, were crafted in 1933 based on designs by sculptor Heinrich Zita. The wall murals in the vaults and the short round-arched niches of the apse and side altars were painted by Sepp Zöchling in 1958.
The architecture showcases a blend of Romanesque and Baroque influences, with meticulous attention to detail in both the exterior and interior elements. The three-aisled structure, adorned with historicized features, reflects the stylistic choices of the early 20th century. The church’s commemorative aspects, such as the Pater-Paulus-Platz and the plaque honoring the first pastor, add a historical layer to its significance in the local community.
Parish Church of St. Georgen am Steinfelde
The Roman Catholic parish church of St. Georgen am Steinfelde, situated in the Lower Austrian municipality of St. Pölten, stands as a historic religious site within the Deanery of St. Pölten, affiliated with the Diocese of St. Pölten.
The church has a documented history dating back to 1248, and by the 14th century, it served as a vicariate church. However, it faced partial damage during the Turkish War in 1683. The current structure, presumably erected around 1749 by Josef Wissgrill, underwent significant changes in 1784 when it was elevated to the status of a parish church. In 1899, renovations were undertaken, and further enhancements occurred in 1934 with the addition of side aisles to the nave. A comprehensive interior restoration took place in 1969-1970.
Architecturally, the church features a lofty central nave with four-axis aisles on the north and south sides, each adorned with round-arched windows and modest porches. The choir, consisting of a single bay with three ancient two-lane pointed arch windows, exhibits tracery and buttresses. The west tower, likely constructed in the 14th century, boasts a baroque top floor with arched sound windows and a 19th-century tent roof.
The church is encompassed by an old cemetery wall on the western fringes, extending to the north and west. This boundary adds a historical dimension to the site, emphasizing its longstanding connection to the community and the passage of time.
An additional notable feature is the organ, crafted by the Rieger brothers of Jägerndorf in 1894. This musical element contributes to the church’s cultural and artistic significance, representing a historical piece of craftsmanship within the religious setting.
Parish Church of St. Pölten-Maria Lourdes
The parish church of St. Pölten-Maria Lourdes, situated in the Lower Austrian town of St. Pölten, holds significance within the Roman Catholic Diocese of St. Pölten, belonging to the Deanery of St. Pölten.
The church’s inception took root during the interwar period, prompted by the amalgamation of Spratzer, Viehofen, and Wagram, coupled with a surge in population, necessitating the establishment of a new parish. In 1938, the land for the new church was acquired, and the Church Building Association was formally founded in 1953. As plans solidified in 1958, coinciding with the impending centenary of the Marian apparitions at Lourdes, the chapel was ultimately dedicated to Maria Lourdes.
Architect Franz Barnath emerged victorious in an architectural competition, leading to the placement of the foundation stone in 1959, with the consecration of the church following in 1961. In 1969, a significant addition took place, as the church received a 3.70-meter-tall statue of the Virgin Mary crafted by South Tyrolean sculptor Johann Rifesser, now prominently situated in the middle of the apse.
In 2018, the church underwent external renovations and a roof replacement, with subsequent interior refurbishments carried out in 2021. These efforts aimed at preserving and enhancing the structural and aesthetic integrity of the church for the congregation and the community it serves.
Adding to the cultural and musical aspects, the Oberösterreichische Organbauanstalt contributed to the church’s sonic landscape by constructing the organ in 1981. This musical component serves as both an integral part of the worship experience and a testament to the artistic contributions to the church’s atmosphere.
Evangelical parish church of St. Pölten
The Evangelical Parish Church of St. Pölten, affiliated with the Evangelical Church AB in St. Pölten, is a notable structure situated between Schiessstattring, Julius-Raab-Promenade, and Hessstraße. As a multi-denominational parish, it welcomes members from both the Evangelical Church A.B. and the Evangelical Church H.B., serving as the headquarters of the Evangelical Superintendency AB Lower Austria.
Constructed between 1891 and 1892 based on the architectural vision of Ludwig Schöne, the neo-Gothic church stands with an east-facing tower facade towards Julius-Raab-Promenade 8 and a longitudinal facade adjacent to Hessstraße 18. The tower boasts distinctive features, including a pyramidal roof, a pointed-arch entryway, a relief Agnus Dei on the tympanum, and a rose window. The carved ashlar facade is adorned with stepped buttresses, pointed-arch windows, and an eaves featuring a round-arched frieze.
Inside the church, a ribbed vault hall encompasses a choir that culminates with Emil Fuchs’ depiction of the Crucified at the center of the neo-Gothic reredos altar. A testament to its historical and architectural significance, the church was subject to extensive renovations in 2014, including the construction of a new entry lobby with a glass ceiling that links the church and vicarage. This atrium now serves as a community center.
The reconstruction of the church’s interior, conducted in collaboration with the Federal Monuments Office, blended original materials with contemporary design, catering to liturgical needs. While only one of the original three bells survived the ravages of two world wars, plans to resume ringing are in the pipeline.
An important musical element is the organ, developed by Orgelbau Pirchner in 1959 as a mechanical slider chest organ. It stood as one of the pioneering instruments of the “organ movement” in Eastern Austria after World War II. In 2014, Walter Vonbank oversaw its renovation as part of the church’s comprehensive refurbishment, which also included the addition of two registers.
