St. Nicholas Church (pictured above) was built in Oberndorf to replace a gothic edifice destroyed by fire in 1757. The church was ravaged by the flooding of the Salzach River in 1896, 1897, and 1899. The foundations began to crumble and it was finally torn down in the early part of the 20th century. The last service was held there in 1903.

A local school teacher, aware of the historical significance of St. Nicholas, tried in vain to convince officials to preserve at least the lower part of the church tower as a memorial chapel. A new church was built on higher ground and furnishing were moved there from the old church. The Silent Night Chapel was built on the site of the main altar of old St. Nichols.

The altars, pulpit and windows were preserved for the new church in Oberndorf.

This altar stood in St. Nicholas Church when Silent Night was first sung there in 1818.