The Catholic church in Rudolstadt bears the name "Mater dolorosa - Sorrowful Mother Mary". It owes its existence to Herrmann von Bertrab, a minister of the Schwarzburg prince at Heidecksburg Castle. For many years after the Reformation, there had been no Catholic Christians in the town. It was Italian merchants who came to Rudolstadt in the 18th century and built a small chapel in their home. A small congregation was formed. The construction of the church (1872 - 1874) gave the young congregation a spiritual center. The winged altar comes from the workshop of Hans Gottwald von Lohr. The church was extended between 1972 and 1974, the organ was installed in 1978 and the exterior of the church was reconstructed in 2005/2006.