Kirche St. Stephan Gmünd, Lower Austria, church building in Lower Austria, Austria

St. Stephan Church in Gmünd is a three-aisled stepped church with a west tower, retaining the basic structure of a Romanesque east-tower church. It stands on a terrain step above the Lainsitz river in the northeast of the market settlement. Remains of a Romanesque frieze on the old outer wall and a Romanesque gravestone are still visible. The cross-ribbed vault dates from the 15th century.

Built between the late 12th and early 13th century as a single-nave Romanesque church on the town wall, it was first documented in 1278/1280 as a vicariate and in 1382 as an independent parish. The side aisles and the vaulting of the central nave were added in the 15th century. The east tower, destroyed by fire in 1852, was replaced by the present west tower in 1852–1854, and the choir was extended in 1981/1982 to plans by Clemens Holzmeister.

The parish is documented as a vicariate seat in 1278/1280 and as an independent parish in 1382. Franz Ölzelt, a National Council deputy, served as pastor from 1924 to 1938, and Rupert Hauer was coadjutor here from 1907 to 1913 before leading the Großdietmanns parish. The square in front of the church was named after architect Clemens Holzmeister in 2008.

The church is accessible from the old town through a street gate and sits in an elevated position above the river, making it visible from many points in the town. The interior is rather dim and cool, so warm clothing is recommended in winter, and it is helpful to check opening times before visiting since it is used for services.

The two frescoes on the pillars of the former east tower date from around 1350; they were uncovered in the early 20th century and in the 1980s. The east tower itself was destroyed by fire in 1852 and never rebuilt, its place taken by the west tower built between 1852 and 1854.