A History of the Votive Church
The history of the twin-spired Votive Church is firmly connected with the history of the
Habsburg Empire (1814-1918). On 18th February 1853, an attempt was made on the life of young Emperor Francis Joseph (1848-1916) here in Vienna, not far from where the Votive stands now. He survived the attempt without a scratch. In commemoration and gratitude, his brother Archduke Ferdinand Max (who later became Emperor Maximilian of Mexico) dedicated this church as thanksgiving for the survival of his brother. Heinrich von Ferstel, then only 26 years of age, designed and completed the construction of the church in 23 years (1856-1879). It was dedicated on 24th April 1879, on the occasion of silver wedding anniversary of the imperial couple. The Votive Church celebrated its 125th anniversary in April 2004.
Votive Church became the name by which the church was known, based on the reason for its construction. “ Votive” means an offering given in thanks for deliverance from hardship or other difficult circumstances. It is dedicated to the Divine Savior and the patron feast is celebrated on the Feast of Christ the King (the last Sunday in the church calendar before Advent begins).
A bond between peoples
The Votive Church is a reflection of its era and an ideal of Gothic architecture. Ferstel has combined various Gothic architectures in building the church. The structure, the commemorations, the sculptures and the windows all symbolize the significance of the monarchy and the church as a unifying bond of the multination state.
The building of the church was an attempt to create a uniting bond between different peoples and between Church and State. Votive was hence designated as a Hall of Fame for great Austrians; for example, the memorial erected to Count Niklas Salm - the military commander during the first Turkish siege (1529) of Vienna; numerous memorial plaques and new stained windows depicting Austrian missionaries abroad, foreign missionaries in Austria. It has also been designated as a garrison church by a decree of 1862 which was in effect until the year 1918 and was used by the soldiers from the Rossauer barracks just minutes walk from the church.
In 1987, Votive Church was also designated as a university church. At present, it functions as a parish church tending to numerous Austrian and foreign Catholics in Vienna providing services in German, English and as Vienna International Religious Center offering weekly multi-lingual service.
Inside the Votive Church
The exterior of the church, the frontal portal, is heavily decorated with stone carvings of Jesus and His redemptive work, the apostles, prophets and saints. The northern transept portal is dedicated to the Holy Spirit and the southern transept to God the father. Inside of the church, with the exception of the windows and the Chapel of Mary of Gaudaloupe and the benches, every part of the church is over 120 years old. These include the chapels, the frescoes, the chandeliers the confessionals, the organ and the bells.
After the Second World War, the large Emperor’s Window at the northern transept and the big Rose Window above the organ were reconstructed and restored to their original design.The rest of the stained windows were reconstructed to reflect the new functions of the church as a garrison church, hall of fame for famous Austrians and place of worship. For example, the windows at the Baptistery show Austrian priests and missionaries who had lived and worked in different parts of the world. These stained-glass windows are accordingly named Africa, America, Asia and China windows. On the other hand the windows of the Bishop's Chapel depict missionaries who had attachments to Austria. The windows of the Cross Chapel show Johannes von Gott in war against the Turkish invasion and as founder of the Order of Brothers of Mercy, and Franz Jägerstätter who refused to serve in the Nazi army and was executed for his resistance. Prince Eugene of Savoy who defeated the Turks in 1697 is shown on the windows of St. Barbara Chapel along with his sponsor King Leoplod. There are other windows showing important religious sites and icons and events in Austria.
The interior of the church is also adorned with statues and reliefs. The interior is also enhanced by rich paintings emphasizing the theme of the church. Christ’s lineage beginning with man’s creation is depicted on the vaulted ceiling of the nave, and the story of Noah is shown on the arcade walls of the chancel. The sides of all chapels are adorned with pictures based on Christ’s parables, and of Christ healing the sick and casting out demons. The arcade walls are decorated with coats of arms of kingdoms and provinces appearing in the title of the Emperor. Inside the ambulatory there are 8 well decorated chapels, all dedicated to Mary.
The altar and the tabernacle
The marble altar is supported by six columns between which glass mosaic inlays work appears, resting on a base made of the same marble as the altar and in gilded bronze with colourful enamel scenes and decorations.
The door of the tabernacle shows the initials of Christ and the symbols of a sacrificial lamb and a fish. Above the tabernacle runs a frieze with enameled medallions which portray Jesus as the Good Shepherd, the man of sorrows, different martyrs and confessors. Above the frieze is a recess with a middle niche set aside for the Crucifix or the monstrance with the Most Holy Sacrament, and culminated in a baldachin with spires. Life-size statues of the 12 apostles, with their respective symbols, stand under the choir loft in a semicircle around the altar.
There are four side chapels which combine sacred and secular themes, and each have four statues under each baldachins. These are group of saints who have been placed together because of specially striking mutual characteristics. The Baptistry Chapel unites four of the most distinguished martyrs. The Chapel of the Cross brings together the parents and grandparents of Christ. The Bishop’s Chapel has four famous founders of religious orders. Finally, the Rosary Chapel shows four saints who were kings or princes.
The Church organ
The great organ in the gallery above the main portal was built by the organ builders E.F. Walcker & Co. from Lludwigsburg in Germany. After careful consideration, a contract was drawn on December 22, 1874 and the organ was installed on October 30, 1878.
The instrument has 61 stops assigned to three manuals and the pedal, and a total of 3,762 pipes. Playing and stop actions are purely mechanical and the organ was equipped with cone valve chests.
As techniques progressed, the air supply system was slightly altered by installing a blower. The most significant alteration to the organ was performed during the First World War, when in 1917 pewter front pipes were removed and replaced by pipes made of zinc.
In 1952, the Ferdinand Molzer Company had to do extensive work on the organ to repair damage caused during the Second World War. Because of the solid workmanship of the Walcker Company organ builders, the organ was restored to its original condition. This follows the Austrian policy of preserving historical monuments.
The Votive Church organ is the only one of this type and construction. It has basically remained unaltered and today is considered one of the most historical organs in the world. It is therefore ideal for authentic interpretation of organ music from the Romantic period. Every year during the summer there is one week of international organ concert.
The Votive Museum
The Votive Church houses an important art treasure. This is the Antwerp carved altar (Passion Altar) dating to the 1460s and is located in the Emperor's Gallery over the main altar. It was presented to the Votive Church by the Emperor. The three coloured reliefs of the altar show the carrying of the cross, the crucifixion and the mourning of Christ.
The museum also contains sketches for the frescos of the church, sketches prepared for the original stained glass, dedication documents, a model of the Votive Church, a bust of Christ, liturgical equipment (monstrances, procession cross, bishop's crook) all from the first days of the church.
The museum was inaugurated on 26 November 2000 and is open to the public on Tuesdays-Fridays (4:00 - 6:00) and Saturdays (10:00 - 13:00).
What to look for in the Church
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The marble tomb of Count Niklas von Salm decorated with reliefs of the battle in which the count took part. It was transferred to the Votive from the Church of St. Dorothy in 1878.
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The eight-sided marble baptismal font found next to the Salm monument.
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The 100 years candle, estimated to burn for 100 years, which is 4 meters tall, 30 centimeters thick and 264 kg heavy. It is located at St. Barbara's Chapel.
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The windows with their various themes: Emperor's Window, the Rose Window, the windows at the Chapels of the Cross, Baptistery and the main confessional.
A complete guide to the Votive Church and the Votive Museum in English are available for sale in the church.
