The name Karoli is derived from Charles (lat. Carolus) Borromaeus (1538 - 1584).
He was bishop and cardinal of Milan. As reform bishop of the Council of Trent he was a leading light of the Catholic Movement for Religious Renewal. When the plague raged in Northern Italy he led efforts to attend the sick. The high altar painting, the main picture of the nave fresco, reminds of his charitable work.

In the 17th century some Italian traveling salesmen stayed at Waldkirchen, among others the tradesman Bernhard Linus, a great admirer of cardinal Charles Borromaeus. He found Caroli Chapel (Rokoko style) around 1655 in the cardinal's honor. In 1756 the chapel was enlarged, received coloration and was fitted with a new altar. The ceiling fresco in the presbytery shows an ancient view of Waldkirchen around 1750. During the last years, at last in 2000/2001, several renovation works and restorations were carried out mainly by volunteers.  

The chapel was, and still is, a popular place of pilgrimage. Idyllically situated midst age-old lime trees it attracts many wanderers, art lovers and praying men. Old traditions still maintained are the "Walk to Emmaus" on Easter Monday, the "Peace Procession" of the women on Whit Monday and the so-called "St. Leonhardi Ride" in honor of the patron saint of cattle and horses early in November.

Below the small road lined with lime trees a "crystal curtain between heaven and earth" limits the architectural ensemble around Karoli Chapel. This installation, composed of glass blocks of different sizes and shades of blue, was errected in 2007 on the occasion of the Regional Flower Festival. It has been consciously designed to set a counterpart to chapel and linden-lined road. Accent lighting at night creates a glamorous atmosphere.