Imagine standing on Puchsbaumplatz, surrounded by the modern bustle of Vienna’s 10th district. A towering, glass-fronted building stands at the corner. It’s not a sleek office block or a minimalist shopping centre. It’s the Pfarre zur Heiligen Familie, a modern church designed by the renowned architect Clemens Holzmeister. This church, dedicated to the Holy Family, is a testament to the changing times and the importance of faith in the 20th century.
The Pfarre zur Heiligen Familie has a unique story. It was built in 1965 and 1966, replacing a pair of older churches that had become too small for the growing community. The striking building, with its high steeple and a rectangular footprint, is a departure from the traditional Baroque churches that dot Vienna. It’s austere yet elegant, a symbol of the church’s embrace of modern design.
The interior is equally interesting. Its three-aisled space, with a raised altar area and balconies, is a perfect example of the post-Vatican II design that sought a more intimate relationship between clergy and congregation. A beautiful mosaic by artist Carl Unger, depicting “The Heavenly Jerusalem,” adorns the altar wall, reminding visitors of the eternal city. It adds a splash of colour and light, contrasting with the starkness of the glass windows.
Though the Pfarre zur Heiligen Familie was originally a parish church, it was absorbed into the newly established Pfarre Zum Göttlichen Wort in 2015. But it remains a vibrant centre of faith for the neighbourhood, where community still thrives. The church is a place of solace in the city’s hustle, a silent witness to the passage of time, yet always a source of hope.