“This is it, folks, the Pfarrkirche Sankt Koloman.” Imagine the quiet of this place before it was surrounded by buildings. You can almost hear the wind whistling through the fields and the distant sound of the river. This church is a hidden jewel in Vienna, Austria.
The story of this place starts in 1158, when Duke Henry II, known as Jasomirgott, donated a chapel dedicated to Saint Coloman to the Schottenkloster in Vienna. It is believed this chapel was located where the Pfarrkirche Sankt Koloman stands today. Over the years, Laab became a parish, and the church became a place of worship for the people of Laab.
During the Turkish siege of Vienna in 1529, the church was destroyed. But like a phoenix, it rose from the ashes once more. The Schottenstift rebuilt the church, though financial hardship led to the parish being administered by the priest of Perchtoldsdorf. The parish was then passed on to the German Order, which became its patron. And thus, the church remained.
In 1789, the church was moved from its previous location on the Kirchberg to its current location. It was a significant shift, replacing the old church with the chapel that served as the local palace. The church grew larger, and the parish thrived.
The church was badly damaged in a fire in 1865, but once again it was rebuilt, taking on the form it has today. The tower was raised, and it was adorned with a Baroque onion dome. The church finally became a place of worship in 1865.
The German Order continued to patronize the church until 1980, when they donated the parish house and the surrounding property to the church. Today, the Pfarrkirche Sankt Koloman is a beautiful and peaceful place of worship. It is a testament to the spirit of the people of Laab, who, despite the challenges they have faced, have always found a way to rebuild their church, to create a sanctuary where they can find solace and inspiration.