Recall a time of new beginnings near Vienna’s Lainzer Tiergarten because the Pfarrkirche St. Hubertus embodies such a spirit. After World War I, parts of the Lainzer Tiergarten opened for settlement. New communities emerged including the SAT-Siedlung. People also settled in Friedensstadt. The Pfarrkirche St. Hubertus became central to these growing communities.
Initially, pastoral care came from the Lainz parish. Conflicts arose with the Mauer parish. The new settlements lay within Mauer’s territory. Despite disagreements priests from the Nazarener order provided support in a temporary church. Father Josef Lappas of the Pallottiner Order became a mediator. He helped resolve disputes between Lainz and Mauer. Monsignor Gessl of Mauer extended a hand in reconciliation.
The temporary church served the community. It was once a workshop on Dr. Schober Straße. A wooden cross in front of the Föhrenhof retirement home marks the spot. Prelate Karl Drexel held the first service there on April 19 1931. Two bells were added to the temporary church. They were dedicated to Saint Hubertus and Saint Christopher. Saint Hubertus honored the area’s hunting history. Saint Christopher was chosen because no church in Vienna was dedicated to him. This was fitting as car ownership increased. Cardinal Theodor Innitzer blessed the bells. He also blessed vehicles during a ceremony. Amidst economic hardship the church established a soup kitchen. Hildegard Burjan and Father Anton Schrefel founded it.
The Lainz parish purchased land for the Pfarrkirche St. Hubertus in the Polizeisiedlung. Architects Kurt Klaudy and Georg Lippert designed the church. Anton Lieb was the construction manager. Construction took place from 1934 to 1935. Cardinal Theodor Innitzer consecrated the Pfarrkirche St. Hubertus on November 15 1935.
Inside the Pfarrkirche St. Hubertus mosaic windows by Hans Alexander Brunner catch the eye. Hans Becker created the wall paintings in the altar niche and choir walls. Karl Engel painted the altar image. He also created frescoes of the church’s patron saints. Mea Bratusch crafted the Madonna and other figures on the Mary altar. In 1996 Wolfgang Eisenbarth from Passau built the organ. Bishop Anton Berger consecrated it. Manfred Stubmann created the tabernacle, ambo and candle holders.
The Pfarrkirche St. Hubertus reflects community cooperation. It also shows artistic dedication. From its humble beginnings in a workshop to its current form the Pfarrkirche St. Hubertus stands as a symbol of faith. It connects people to history and art. As of 2025, it is part of the “Parish on the Lainzerbach.” The Pfarrkirche St. Hubertus continues its legacy. The Jesuit Order assumed pastoral duties in the autumn of 2023. The Pallottiner Order had served the church until then.