Leoben-Waasen Parish Church

The Leoben-Waasen Parish Church is situated on the left bank of the Mur River, specifically in the Waasen area of the Leoben municipality. This municipality is located in the Leoben district, which is part of the Styria region.The Roman Catholic parish church is dedicated to the Assumption of Mary. It is located in the deanery of Leoben, which is part of the diocese of Graz-Seckau.

The year of establishment was designated as 149. The process of integration of the church began in 1185 at Admont Abbey, followed by Göss Abbey in 1210. It is highly probable that a parish was established as early as 1222. The chapel is located within a historic cemetery that is partially enclosed by walls. This cemetery ceased operations in 1886. The church was destroyed by fire in both 1650 and 1667. The years 1906 and 1907 were a period of restoration. The church’s interior underwent renovations in 1950 and 1973.

The construction of the Gothic chancel took place in the year 1400. The tower was built in the year 1900.

The low four-bay late Gothic nave features a ribbed ceiling that is beautifully adorned with shield-shaped and round keystones.The front arch that is profiled has been retracted.The Gothic choir has two bays and features a ribbed vault with a distinctive five-eighth note shape. The vault is supported by semicircular arches that extend to the bottom third of the wall. The vault is closed off by round keystones.

The remarkable neo-Gothic high altar, created in 1845 by Max Tendler, features baroque sculptures dating back to the early 18th century. Additionally, there are figures of Katharina and Barbara by Josef Vetter, which were added in 1872.The high altar showcases a replica of the Innsbruck Mariahilf painting from 1687. This painting was relocated to its current location in 1787 after the Häuselberg chapel, where it was originally housed, was demolished. The painting underwent restoration from 1726 to 1803.