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 foundational St. Mary's Church was erected approximately 875 AD during the Christianization process in Carantania, under the guidance of Bishops from Freising based at Innichen Abbey. The church was initially mentioned in a 894 deed as Maria Werd, referring to its location on an island.