Evangelische Pfarrkirche Mitterbach und Ausstellung GLAUBENsREICH

Around 1747, Protestant lumberjacks and their families came from the Salzkammergut region to the primeval forests of the Eastern Alps, which had hardly been touched at the time. At first, they could only practise their faith in secret. This made them "secret Protestants". It was only after Joseph II's Patent of Tolerance in 1781 that the first Protestant congregation in Lower Austria was established in Mitterbach.

Built in 1785 as a Protestant house of prayer, the Protestant parish church in Mitterbach is the only church of tolerance in Lower Austria. Two angels from the Catholic branch church "St. Johann in der Wüste", built for the lumberjacks on the Schagerfeld, are a reminder of the time of secret Protestantism. The only completely preserved organ by organ builder Theodor Goblitz, which was installed in the gallery in 1854 and completely restored between 2004 and 2006, is considered a highlight of the church. The Protestant parish church was also extensively restored in 2016.

The Protestant parish of Mitterbach covers a wide area from Annaberg to Wildalpen and from Puchenstuben to Ulreichsberg. In 1920, 80% of the inhabitants of Mitterbach were still Protestant, but today the figure is just over 30%.

Exhibition "GLAUBENsREICH": About the history of the Protestants in the Ötscher region

An exhibition about life back then and a tour of the village provide insights into a unique history that still has an impact today. The guided tours last approx. 1.5 hours and include a tour of the exhibition in the old Protestant school opposite the Protestant church, a visit to the church and a short walk through the village square of Mitterbach to the historic cemetery.
The guided tours take place by appointment. Starting point: Old Protestant school (Kirchengasse 22, 3224 Mitterbach)
Further details about the guided tours