Until well into the 19th century there used to be an old church, on the spot where the memorial chapel has stood since 1924 and it was in this church that the world-famous Christmas carol “Silent Night, Holy Night” was performed for the first time on 24th December 1818. The text had been written by curate Joseph Mohr and the melody had been composed by teacher and organist Conrad Franz Xaver Gruber. The song was sung in two part harmony and accompanied by a guitar.
