Whispers of history linger here. This is the St Antonius von Padua Kirche. A church steeped in Viennese tradition it stands proudly in the 15th district Rudolfsheim-Fünfhaus.
Originally built by Ludwig Zatzka and consecrated on August 27 1893 it was once part of a larger complex. This included the St Antonius Poor and Sick Asylum. The asylum was run by the Sisters of Mercy. It encompassed buildings and gardens extending to Hütteldorfer Straße. Sadly both the asylum and its gardens are long gone.
In 1904 the church underwent expansion. Two bell towers were added. This altered its appearance transforming it from a convent-like structure to its present form. One bell dates back to 1655. Its tone is an exceptionally rare Cis +3 for bells of that era. The other the ‘Arme-Seelen-Glocke’ was donated and consecrated by Cardinal Franz König.
The interior boasts a blend of Neuromanic architecture and late 18th-century artistic style. It’s built in the style of a basilica. The numerous saints’ statues are elaborately painted. The side altars and the former high altar are crafted from white marble. The church was known for its extensive collection of relics. Its history as a convent contributed to a rich collection of liturgical objects and vestments used even today.
Several altars remain including the former high altar. It contains relics of several saints including St. Antonius St. Leopold and St. Stephanus. There are also altars dedicated to the Virgin Mary and St. Joseph. A special connection exists with St. Vincent de Paul and St. Thérèse of Lisieux. An ‘Armen-Seelen-Altar’ and a crucifix altar are also present. The original Riemenschneider crucifix was taken by the Sisters of Mercy to their motherhouse when the convent closed. A replica is now in a Catholic prayer niche created after the church’s transfer to the Romanian Orthodox Church.
The church’s organ built by Johann M Kauffmann in 1913 has two manuals a pedal and a free-standing pipework. What remains of the pulpit displays Neuromanic wooden carvings. Sadly its sound cover is missing. Old parish chronicles show its intricate design.
In December 2013 the Archdiocese of Vienna announced the closure of the St Antonius parish. The building was transferred to the Romanian Orthodox Church on April 21 2014. Since then the Romanian Orthodox parish of St. Anthony the Great has established a vibrant community life centered on liturgy youth activities charity and cultural initiatives. A parish school offering various activities for children and young people operates every Saturday. A permanent iconostasis was erected in March 2018. The icons are by Romanian icon painter Toma Gabriel Chituc.
The St Antonius von Padua Kirche stands as a testament to its rich history. It’s an unexpected gem a quiet whisper of faith and devotion amidst the bustle of modern Vienna. This is not just a church it is a living story. A story of faith perseverance and a remarkable transformation. It continues to be a place of worship and a place of community. A place to reflect and remember.