Evangelische Predigtstation Obervellach

The church stands in Obervellach, a village in the Spittal an der Drau district of Kärnten. It serves the local Evangelical community and belongs to the Evangelical Superintendentur A. B. Kärnten und Osttirol. The building began as a preaching station linked to the Martin-Luther-Kirche in Spittal an der Drau. In 1967 the architect Hubert Wirnsberger designed an asymmetrical reinforced-concrete skeleton structure with a side addition emphasised by a bell-carrying tower. Three large rear windows were opened up in the back wall and, after the most recent restoration, filled with bold, oversized cross symbols. The interior is arranged across the axis of the building rather than along it. The worship space is simple and functional, with no aisles or elaborate furnishings. Natural light falls through the tall rear windows and the glazed side walls, creating a calm atmosphere for services. The exposed concrete surfaces and steel framework remain visible, giving the room an unadorned, modern character. The bell tower stands apart from the main volume, its slender form rising beside the entrance. Outside, the church sits among the houses of Obervellach, its stark lines contrasting with the older Alpine architecture around it. The surrounding hills rise steeply, framing the village and the church within a narrow valley. A small paved area in front serves as a forecourt for gatherings. The building’s angular silhouette and the bright cross symbols make it a landmark easily recognised from a distance.