A first St. Mary's Church was erected in about 875 during the Christianization in former Carantania, led by the Bishops of Freising based at Innichen Abbey. It was first mentioned in an 894 deed as Maria Werd—because the site was at that time an island.
A inaugural St. Mary's Church was built around 875 AD during the Christianization of Carantania, led by the Bishops of Freising based at Innichen Abbey. The church was first recorded in a 894 deed as Maria Werd, indicating it was situated on an island.