Josefskirche, Graz, Parish church in Jakomini district, Graz, Austria.
The Josefskirche stands at the corner of Schönaugürtel and Schönaugasse in Graz-Jakomini, built from 1903 to 1908 to plans by Hans Pascher in a Florentine Renaissance style; it is considered Graz's last Historicist church. The basilica has three naves and a separate vaulted choir, measures 52.4 m by 33.9 m outside, and its east tower reaches 80.3 m. The nave, covered by a coffered ceiling, rises 32 m, matching Salzburg Cathedral as Austria's highest church nave.
The Josefskirche was conceived as a Catholic jubilee church commemorating the Counter-Reformation and opposing the Los-von-Rom movement, on the personal initiative of Prince Bishop Leopold Schuster. The site was bought in 1898 by Franz Schuler; building permission was granted in 1902, construction began on 14 May 1903, and the foundation stone was laid on 11 October 1903. The church was consecrated on 9 May 1908, with building costs of 1,006,653 kronen.
The high altar painting by Josef Kastner the Younger (1903–1908) shows Saint Joseph holding the Christ Child on a cloud, ringed by angels; among the 19 kneeling figures below is Prince Bishop Leopold Schuster, and behind them appear the Graz Schlossberg and the Franziskanerkirche. The founding motto "Ex Voto 1908" is inscribed at the bottom.
The church stands at the corner of Schönaugürtel and Schönaugasse in Jakomini, the sixth district. The main portal faces the Schönaugürtel side; the 80.3-metre tower rises on the east side. The nave is 32 metres high, so the interior is best seen in daylight through the large windows.
The east tower reaches 80.3 metres, making it the second-tallest building in Graz. The church's nave, 32 metres high under a coffered ceiling, equals Salzburg Cathedral as the tallest church interior in Austria. The high altar painting by Josef Kastner the Younger (1903–1908) shows Saint Joseph with the Christ Child and, among the kneeling figures below, Prince Bishop Leopold Schuster, with the Schlossberg and Franciscan Church in the background.
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