ehem. Pfarrkirche Liesing St. Servatius

Can a church rise from ashes? The ehem. Pfarrkirche Liesing St. Servatius stands as a testament to resilience. The original Servatiuskirche met a tragic end on May 29, 1944, a victim of a bombing raid. Only a solitary bell and a revered image of Mary survived the devastation. These remnants found a new home in the heart of the current church. The ehem. Pfarrkirche Liesing St. Servatius, in Vienna’s 23rd district, is a round church located on Färbermühlgasse. Dedicated to Mary, Mother of Divine Grace, and St. Servatius, it represents a phoenix from the flames. After the destruction of the old church, services were held in makeshift locations. A former dance hall, the “Josefinensaal,” became a sanctuary of faith. Finally, in 1951, the Archdiocese of Vienna acquired land for a new church. Designed by architect Robert Kramreiter, construction of the ehem. Pfarrkirche Liesing St. Servatius began on March 25, 1953. The cornerstone was blessed on September 12, the same year. By December 11, the framework stood tall, a symbol of hope reborn. On May 19 and 20, 1955, the ehem. Pfarrkirche Liesing St. Servatius was consecrated. It was dedicated to “Mary, Mother of Divine Grace,” with St. Servatius as its secondary patron. The church boasts several artistic treasures. A statue of St. Servatius graces the entrance. A large portal wall, adorned with figures by Josef Pillhofer, depicts Mary and Child before a sun disc, accompanied by symbols from the Litany of Loreto. The main gate, crafted by Paul Peschke, features the archangels Michael and Gabriel. Inside, the circular layout offers an unobstructed view of the altar from every seat. The ceiling evokes the ripples of a stone thrown into water, drawing the eye to the altar. Twelve Apostle crosses mark the church’s consecration points. A bronze Stations of the Cross, by Toni Schneider-Manzell, lines the ambulatory. Above the altar hangs a striking crucifix by Alexander Silveri, depicting a youthful Christ with outstretched hands. The reverse side, designed by Franz Deed, is a gem-encrusted cross radiating joy and triumph. The original double altar was replaced in 1980 by a simpler altar. The tabernacle, designed by Karl Peschta, is adorned with rose quartz and amazonite. Thirty-two stained-glass windows, depicting Austrian saints, encircle the upper part of the church. The Taufkapelle, or baptistery, features nine rows of windows by Margret Bilger, who won a gold medal for her work. The font, shaped like a grape cluster, represents the unity of Christians. Tucked beneath the main church, the Unterkirche houses the salvaged image of Mary from the old church. A pierced wall by Erwin Hauer adds a unique touch. The ehem. Pfarrkirche Liesing St. Servatius is more than just a building. It is a symbol of faith enduring, a community rebuilt, and a story of hope rising from the ashes.