Kirche zum Heiligen Franziskus

The Church of St Francis stands in the Vogelweide district of Wels, a town in Upper Austria. It belongs to the Diocese of Linz and serves the parish of Wels-St Franziskus. The building combines modern design with ecological principles, reflecting the values of its patron saint. The church was completed in 2005 after an architectural competition won by local architects Maximilian Luger and Franz Maul. The design emphasises sustainability, with features such as Passivhaus-level insulation. The interior includes a striking glass-roofed foyer and a multifunctional hall that can be opened to the entrance area for larger gatherings. Visitors enter through a glazed porch into a spacious foyer with floor-to-ceiling windows. The main hall has symmetrical red-panelled walls and a central skylight that frames an outdoor water feature. A weekday chapel with grey wooden panelling adjoins the hall, separated by a small courtyard garden. The altar cross is a branch from Assisi, linking the church directly to its namesake.