Deckchairs in church during heatwave

Divine plan against summer heat: deckchairs have now been set up in several churches in Vienna, where it is five degrees cooler.

Source

Behind the walls of the Dornbach Parish Church (Vienna-Hernals), three deckchairs are ready for "heat refugees".  It is pleasantly cool inside.  Helga Kerschbaum, a parish volunteer, had heard about the Archdiocese of Vienna's "Time Out for the Soul" project.  Together with priest, Boris Porsch, she ordered deckchairs.  "I find resting in church a wonderful bridge between the spirituality of the sacred space and the spirituality of everyday life," she says.

The Archdiocese of Vienna reveals why churches in particular are perfect for cooling off: "In great heat, churches that are over 200 years old are a particular joy, because they can be a good 5 degrees cooler than the surroundings in bright sunshine."

Cool zone in the church

Kerschbaum has already tested the cool zone in the church herself: "You lie in a deck chair, let your soul dangle, look up at the sky and feel safe," she reports.  In this way, the church is not only a space for worship, but also a space for spiritual relaxation.

Most people find the idea beautiful, even funny - they are happy that the church is breaking new ground.  However, there are also those who are afraid and fear that the church will be desecrated by the deckchairs.

Inspiration to lie on

Inspiring lines are written on the fabric of the deckchairs.  "We have also placed books within reach of the deckchairs.  They are lines to think about, nothing oppressive." A cosy space has been created.

Holiday for the soul

It is important for the church to be open, the church's parish priest also says.  And if some fear that deckchairs in the church lead to a desacralisation, then the pastor can also only say: "On the contrary".  It is precisely the visit of people, the lingering, the introspection and the contemplation in quietness that sacralises the church.

The open churches are meant to invite people to take a short holiday for the soul for 5 minutes, to simply sit down comfortably and enjoy the silence of the sacred space and let the soul be suspended, the Archdiocese of Vienna says about its project.

For those who would like to select the deckchairs as their holiday destination, the internet page with all 21 participating listed parishes is recommended.