For young and old

Diakonie celebrates 150 years-plus of service to people

Pastor Ernst Schwarz built the children's sanatorium in Waiern around 1888.

(Bild: Diakonie)

People have been at the heart of Diakonie's activities since it began in Carinthia in 1873.

An important social institution in Austria is celebrating its anniversary: Diakonie has been in existence for 150 years. "We in Carinthia are even a year older," says Diakonie Rector Astrid Körner. "The care of children who lived in poverty and had no chance of an education began here back in 1873. Their fate brought Pastor Ernst Schwarz and Countess Elvine de La Tour together. The two were friends and followed the same religious tradition."

Diaconia began with the need and misery of children. The founders of Diakonie, Countess Elvine de la Tour and Pastor Schwarz, were social pioneers.

Astrid Körner, Rektorin

A year later, the Association for Inner Mission was founded in Gallneukirchen in Upper Austria by Schwarz's brother Ludwig. The countess was particularly interested in girls. Körner: "They were the poorest of the poor. That's why education was a key factor."

Susanne Prentner-Vitek, Astrid Körner, Walter Pansi

(Bild: Diakonie)

Haus Elvine in Treffen, where the diaconal work began, is home to the first inpatient hospice.

(Bild: Dieter Kulmer/Diakonie)

Countess helped with fortune
139 years ago, the first children's sanatorium was opened in Waiern near Feldkirchen, the first hospital and convalescent home. There were facilities for infants and children as well as a "lying-in asylum" for elderly people in need of care and for people with disabilities. "At that time, need was alleviated out of faith. Countess Elvine de La Tour used her entire fortune for this," says Körner.

Today, Diakonie employs 2,500 people in four federal states. The largest location is Carinthia, where 85 homes are operated and 1300 people are employed. "The focus is always on people, everyone has a right to a dignified life," says Körner. The 150th anniversary will be celebrated on Sunday after the festive church service (10.30 a.m.) on the festival grounds at the rectorate in Harbach.