How about stepping back in time to explore the Pfarrkirche Leobendorf St. Oswald? This Roman Catholic church is located in Leobendorf. It is part of the town of Laufen an der Salzach. Dedicated to Oswald von Northumbria, the Pfarrkirche Leobendorf St. Oswald is a protected monument.
Let’s dive into its architecture. The late Gothic choir from the previous church built in 1440 was incorporated. Karl Leimbach designed the hall building in the Neogothic style in 1866. It features a gable roof, a tower, an organ loft and side chapels. The sacristy was rebuilt in 1902. The church was extended to the north in 1913.
The village of Leobendorf is northwest of the Abtsee. It sits on a narrow ridge. Reihengräber show that the village was settled in the 6th to 8th centuries. The Notitia Arnonis from 788/90 mentions a noble donation. It was given to a priest named Dulcissimus. He passed the estate “ad Liubilndorf” to the Salzburg church. The village name indicates a larger settlement. After 1300, the Salzburg Cathedral chapter and the Lords of Kuchl were among the landowners. After 1355, they built a castle on the island in the Abtsee. In 1390, it became the property of the territorial lord.
The lower floors of the tower and the five-sided former eastern choir remain from the late Gothic building. They are made of Nagelfluh blocks. The modest Neogothic building consists of a chancel with a polygonal end. It also has five nave bays. The northern gallery bay added in 1913 features oversized windows. These have elaborate tracery. Groined vaults rest on half-columns.
Bildhauer Paul Horchler from Burghausen created the high altar. Sebastian Forstner from Laufen created the version 1866/67. The shrine contains sculptures of St. Oswald. They stand between Saints Barbara and Margaret, dating back to around 1500. In the broken gable are figures of Saints Leonhard and Florian. Above them is St. Sebastian. All figures are by P. Horchler. The altar structure was modified several times in the 20th century. The shrine wings show four scenes from the life of Mary. When closed, they depict the Mount of Olives scene. This is by Georg Gschwendtner.
In the first western nave bay is the Neogothic pulpit. Opposite is the two-bay side chapel with a polygonal end. The net vault with two keystones rests on services. The northeastern window has two stained glass windows. One is a Christ head framed by tracery. The other is the Virgin Mary in an ear dress. Both date back to around 1500. The opposite window contains stained glass. It shows the head of God the Father and St. Anthony the Hermit, around 1866. The Neogothic altar is in red and gold. It is a shrine made up of three niches. Underneath the canopies are sculptures of Maria Immaculata. She is between Saints Corbinian and Joseph. In the broken gable is the baby Jesus with the globe. He is between two praying angels. These date to the second half of the 19th century. On the south wall of the chapel is Christ on the Cross. This dates back to the mid-18th century.
In the nave are sculptures of Maria Immaculata, the Sacred Heart of Jesus and St. Joseph. The 14 Stations of the Cross by Johann Georg Weibhauser from Fridolfing are remarkable. They are dated 1831. They are probably based on graphic models from the late 18th century.
So, as we conclude our visit to Pfarrkirche Leobendorf St. Oswald, remember the blend of architectural styles. Think about the stories held within its walls. This church stands as a testament to faith and history.