Christkönigskirche Raach

The Christkönigskirche stands in Raach, a quiet settlement in the far north-west of Graz. It is a small Roman Catholic church, built as a branch of the parish church of St Anna in Gösting. The present building replaced a temporary wooden church set up straight after the Second World War. In 1964 a permanent structure designed by the architect Hermann Worschitz was consecrated. The church is plain in style, with a single nave and an exposed roof frame inside. A sandstone statue of the Virgin Mary in an ear-of-wheat robe was moved here from the 1757 Siebenbründl column. The church is worth visiting for its clear post-war architecture and its modest furnishings. The late-baroque Madonna, carved from sandstone, is a notable work of art. The bronze crucifix above the altar was made by Alexander Silveri. The building also has a small bell tower that rises above the surrounding houses. Its simplicity reflects the immediate post-war years when resources were scarce. The parish of Graz-Gösting keeps the church open for local services and occasional concerts. Inside, the single rectangular room is filled with natural light through plain windows. The open timber roof gives the space a sense of height despite its small size. The late-baroque statue of Mary stands at the side, its flowing drapery carved in fine detail. The bronze cross above the altar catches the light and draws the eye forward. Outside, the small square in front of the church is bordered by low residential buildings. The neighbourhood remains peaceful, making the church a calm place to pause.