Alexander-Poch-Platz, was named on October 14th 1969 after the clergyman Alexander Poch.

Alexander Poch was the son of a k.u.k. Officer. After graduating from high school in Vienna, he studied theology and was ordained a priest on July 18, 1926. From 1926 to 1928 he worked as a chaplain in Stockerau, then in the parish of St. Anton in Vienna-Favoriten. In 1930 Archbishop Theodor Innitzer appointed him as prefect of studies and in 1933 as sub-rain of the Vienna seminary. In addition, he taught as a religion teacher in a girls’ high school.

After Poch was no longer allowed to teach after the “Anschluss”, he was appointed parish administrator of St. Leopold in Vienna’s 2nd district. He headed the parish – officially as pastor since June 1946 – until his death in November 1966. From 1938 to 1945 he helped many Jews and other victims of the Nazi dictatorship, whose posts repeatedly demanded his recall. In March 1944, Poch was arrested for allegedly “undermining military strength”. In the absence of evidence, however, he was released in April of that year.

After the Leopold Church was destroyed by bombs in March 1945, he made great contributions to its reconstruction, which was to last until 1961. In 1959 he was appointed monsignor.

The square is the forecourt of the Leopold’s Church, consecrated in 1671, between Großer and Kleiner Pfarrgasse; the breakthrough to this came after 1912 and before 1925.