A simple wooden table stands before you. This is Zum Abendmahl des Herrn. It’s not ornate. It’s not extravagant. But it’s the heart of this church.
Welcome to Zum Abendmahl des Herrn in Vienna’s 15th district. This church isn’t ancient. It wasn’t built centuries ago. Architect Josef Vytiska designed it. Construction finished in 1980. It became a parish in 1981. Its understated beauty belies its rich history.
Notice the altar. It’s a simple wooden table. It’s more than just a table though. It’s a place of communion. It’s where the Last Supper is commemorated. The Last Supper is also depicted in a painting by Hermann Bauch. It’s a powerful image. It hangs here since 1980.
Look closer. See the wooden figures of Christ and Mary with the Child Jesus? Sculptor and painter Josef Papst created them in 1981. They add a quiet dignity to the space. These aren’t ancient relics. They are relatively new. This adds a unique element to this church.
The stained-glass windows in the chapel are also relatively new. Clarisse Praun and Wilhelm Kocian completed them after 1980. They depict the sun. They depict wheat. They depict grapes and the moon. They bathe the space in soft light. Light filters through them. It reminds us of the divine.
Zum Abendmahl des Herrn may be modern. It may be unassuming. It may not have centuries of history behind its walls. But it serves a vital purpose. It’s a place of worship. It’s a place of community. It’s a place where faith is celebrated. It’s a place where the Last Supper is remembered. It continues to serve the community of Rudolfsheim-Fünfhaus. It’s a quiet jewel in the heart of Vienna. A visit here is a reminder. It’s a reminder that faith lives on. It lives on in simple settings.