Peeking around the corner, the Theresienkirche stands tall. This former monastery church of the Discalced Carmelites is now a local landmark. Its tower is a beacon in Kumpfmühl.
Once, Kumpfmühl was a Bavarian village south of Regensburg’s Old Town. It was incorporated into Regensburg in 1810. The villagers had a long walk to St. Rupert Church. The prior of the Carmelite monastery saw an opportunity. He proposed building a new church on the Carmelite’s land. This land was originally meant for a monastery and seminary. The church would be named St. Theresia.
Construction of the monastery and seminary finished quickly. The seminary closed in 1975. The Carmelites used the monastery until 1987. Philipp von Kremer designed the Theresienkirche. The design was changed to resemble the Carmelite church on Alten Kornmarkt. Alois Janker began construction. Anton Mayer took over after Janker’s death.
The cornerstone was laid in May 1899. The church was completed in 1900. It is a neo-baroque church with a 45-meter tower. Like other Carmelite churches, it stands on a pedestal. A large pond fed by Vitusbach is in the former monastery garden. The water flows underground from Karthaus-Prüll. It passes under the former seminary building.
On March 15, 1899, the Regensburger Anzeiger announced the new church. Bishop Ignatius von Senestrey dedicated the church on August 27, 1900. It honored St. Teresa of Ávila. The church had a single nave with a chancel and small side apses. The square tower transitions into an octagon. It is topped with a cupola and lantern.
The tower clock and organ were installed in 1902. The church’s interior was initially white. In 1906, construction began on the “Seminarium Theresianum”. Johann Böckl painted the church in a neo-baroque style in 1911. These paintings were lost during post-war restoration, except for the ceiling paintings. The high altar was completed in 1913. The Theresienbild was added in 1917.
On December 28, 1944, a bomb destroyed the church’s vestibule. The west side was heavily damaged. The seminary was bombed on April 16, 1945. The church was repaired in 1945. The vestibule was not rebuilt. Renovations continued to repair war damage. The interior was simplified. Work was completed in 1956. An exterior renovation took place in 1978. An interior renovation occurred in 1988. No traces of the original interior were found.
In October 2023, the building complex was sold to an investor. The promise was made to respectfully use the buildings and church. The final service was held on July 31, 2024. A penitential service was held. The bishop’s decree of deconsecration was read. The Blessed Sacrament was then carried to the parish church.
Inside the Theresienkirche, a glass case displays the Prague Infant Jesus. The high altar features a painting of Teresa of Ávila by Martin von Feuerstein. The right side altar is dedicated to Joseph. The left is dedicated to Our Lady of Mount Carmel. Max Schmalzl created the Stations of the Cross. Loibl of Stadtamhof carved the wooden pulpit.
The organ was built in 1902 by Binder and Siemann. It had 17 registers. After war damage, Eduard Hirnschrodt added a pneumatic console. In 1981, two pedal registers were added. The organ will be moved to Sandomierz.
The tower holds three bells. They were cast in 1900 by Glockengießerei Hahn. The tones are E flat, F, and A flat. During World War II, only the first bell was taken. In 1954, the original peal was restored.
A men’s choir was founded shortly after the church’s consecration. It was later reinforced by a boys’ choir. In 2001, the Theresienchor received the Palestrina Medal. The Theresienchor disbanded in 2014. In 2015, former members formed the Männerensemble St. Theresia et St. Wolfgang.
Now, the Theresienkirche is planned to be a cultural center for Kumpfmühl. The facade renovation began in August 2024.