Pfandl Parish Church

The Pfandl parish church was built in 1957-1958, following the plans of architect Karl Holey. It is a modern church with a simple and elegant design. The church’s interior is spacious and bright, measuring 33 meters in length, 16 meters in width, and 12 meters in height. The church can accommodate up to 700 people, but it has only 300 seats. The church has a five-story tower that stands 35 meters high. On the ground floor of the tower, there is a baptistery where the sacrament of baptism is administered.

One of the most striking features of the church is the nine stained-glass windows that adorn the walls. These windows depict scenes from the life of Mary, the mother of Jesus. They were created by Lydia Roppolt, the sister of the famous painter Anton Roppolt, in 1958. They were produced in the Schlierbach Abbey, a monastery that is known for its glassworks. The windows are 3.6 meters high and 60 cm wide, and they create a colorful and artistic atmosphere in the church.

The church also has three altars that honor different aspects of the Christian faith. The main altar is dedicated to St. Mary, the patron saint of the church. The left side altar is dedicated to the Heart of Jesus, a symbol of his love and mercy. The right side altar is dedicated to St. Christopher, the patron saint of travelers and drivers. The altars, as well as the communion seat, the holy water font, and the doorway panels, are made of Schwarzensee marble, a local stone that has a dark and glossy appearance. The floor of the presbytery, where the priests and ministers sit, is made of light-colored Italian marble. The floor of the nave, where the congregation sits, is made of Gosau conglomerate, a type of rock that consists of pebbles and sand.

The church also has a remarkable piece of art that hangs in the presbytery. It is a Madonna and Child with a halo and a mandorla, a reproduction of a Gothic figure. A mandorla is an almond-shaped frame that surrounds a sacred person or object. The original figure was carved in wood in the 14th century and is now kept in the Upper Austrian Provincial Museum. The reproduction was made of bronze and was donated to the church by the Roppolt family.

The Pfandl parish church is a place where you can admire the beauty of art and architecture, as well as the beauty of faith and devotion. It is open to visitors every day from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. You can also join the regular services that are held on Sundays and weekdays. The church is a part of the cultural and religious heritage of Upper Austria, and it is worth a visit.