Of all the squares in Ried, the appearance of Stelzhamerplatz has changed the most. In 1482 the Bürgerspitalskirche zum Heiligen Geist, the Civic Hospital Church of the Holy Spirit, was built. The southern part of the square was separated from the rest of the square by the church.

Emperor Joseph II abolished the Bürgerspital in 1783. The buildings at 10, Stelzhamerplatz became what was known as a normal school, where children were taught and teachers were trained. Around 200 years ago the Bürgerspital church was converted into a theatre. So it’s no surprise that the square was given the name of Theaterplatz (or theatre square). After the foundation of the Old Catholic Church community in 1871, the theatre once again became a church. Only 21 years later it was declared unsafe and demolished.