Wonder what stories these old stones could tell. You are standing in front of Kirche Maxglan. This church stands on ground steeped in history.
Let’s step back in time. Imagine early Christian settlers here around 482. Saint Severin of Noricum may have even visited. Archaeological finds suggest a church existed here in Roman times. The oldest documents mention the Kirche Maxglan in 1323. Back then, it was just a branch of the main cathedral parish.
The Romanesque church was built on Roman ruins. It once housed relics of Saint Maximilian. These relics were moved to Altötting in 878.
Now, picture the late Gothic period. Between 1516 and 1519, Archbishop Leonhard von Keutschach built a new church. Bishop Pürstinger of Chiemsee consecrated it on May 6, 1519. They likely reused older walls. The church you see has a simple nave and a steep gable roof. A western tower rises proudly.
The marble altar came later in 1774. From 1952 to 1956, a large hall was added to the north. This addition featured concrete figures of saints above the main entrance.
The windows of the Kirche Maxglan tell a visual story. They depict the twelve articles of faith. The windows start on the right side facing the altar. They continue from front to back. Then they pick up again on the left side, returning to the front.
From 1461, the church was connected to the Mülln Collegiate Monastery. The Augustinian hermits of Mülln took care of Maxglan from 1605. They added Baroque elements to the interior.
In 1835, the Augustinian hermits passed the church to the Benedictine Abbey of Michaelbeuern. Benedictine monks then served here. Maxglan became its own parish in 1906. Before that, it belonged to the parish of Mülln.
In 1935, Maxglan became part of Salzburg. The village turned into a city district. The old church became too small. The parish couldn’t agree on whether to build a new church or expand the old one. To save money during the Nazi era, Reischl secretly commissioned three altars. He also ordered stained glass and a statue of Christ. These items were hidden on local farms during the war.
Finally in 1946, construction began in earnest. Eighty graves were moved. Excavation began. From 1952 to 1956, architect Otto Linder designed a new, larger church. Pope Pius XII donated 20,000 schillings to the project in 1954. Bishop Johannes Filzer consecrated the new church on October 7, 1956.
Today, Kirche Maxglan stands as a testament to faith and perseverance. It reflects centuries of history and devotion. Take a moment to appreciate the blend of architectural styles. The Romanesque roots, Gothic additions, and modern expansion all combine to tell a unique story. Remember the people who built and preserved this sacred space. Their dedication shaped the Kirche Maxglan into what it is today.