Evangelische Weinbergkirche

Hidden amidst the serene neighborhood of Sievering, in Vienna’s 19th district, stands the Evangelische Weinbergkirche. Why “Vineyard Church”, you ask? The name whispers a tale of the past, a time when vineyards graced these slopes, echoing biblical parables of vines, grapes, and growth. The Evangelische Weinbergkirche wasn’t always here, nestled at Börnergasse 16. Its story began as a daughter church of the Lutherkirche in Währing. The congregation, seeking its own identity, gained independence in 1965. They initially held services in rented spaces on Kreindlgasse. The dream of a permanent home took root. Between 1980 and 1981, that dream blossomed into the Evangelische Weinbergkirche, designed by architects Alexander Marchart and Roland Moebius. The building itself is a testament to modern design, a freestanding structure shaped like a Greek cross, embraced by ancillary rooms. A high window band bathes the interior in natural light. Above, a deeply coffered, flat wooden roof rests on four wooden pillars, extending outwards in a protective embrace. The side rooms, with their flat roofs and glazed exterior walls, create a sense of openness and connection with the surroundings. Inside, a gothic-inspired altarkruzifix draws the eye. Sliding walls allow the space to transform, adapting to intimate gatherings or larger celebrations. The church isn’t just a place of worship. It houses offices, a youth room, and a spacious community area, a hub of activity and connection. Listen closely. Hear the chime of the bronze bell? Cast in 1981 by the Grassmayr bell foundry, it resonates with the tone e”, its 120 kg voice a call to gather, to reflect, to connect with the community and history woven into the very fabric of the Evangelische Weinbergkirche.