“How did Frastanz get its Walgauer Dom?” I hear you ask as we stand before the Pfarrkirche Hl. Sulpitius. The Pfarrkirche Hl. Sulpitius in Frastanz has a captivating story. Its history stretches back centuries. Let’s explore its journey through time.
A documented altar consecration occurred in Frastanz in 1413. Around 1480, a church was rebuilt and consecrated in 1481. By 1680, a baroque church stood here. Frastanz saw a surge in its Catholic population due to immigration. Industrialization brought the means to construct a grand church. This led to the building of the Pfarrkirche Hl. Sulpitius from 1885 onwards. Locals affectionately call it the Walgauer Dom. In 1903, the parish was transferred from the Dekanat Bludenz-Sonnenberg to the Dekanat Feldkirch.
Friedrich von Schmidt, a renowned architect, designed the neogothic basilica. Construction began in 1885 on elevated ground south of the village center. The Pfarrkirche Hl. Sulpitius was consecrated to Saint Sulpitius in 1888. Its towering north tower reaches a height of 72 meters. The nave features a west-facing orientation. It has lower side aisles. Pointed arch windows adorn these structures. South of the chancel, a sacristy is located. The east facade boasts a four-story gable with a projecting central aisle. A double-flight of stairs leads to the pointed arch portal.
Facing the church square, the war memorial stands on the east facade. It is positioned between the two-armed stairways. This memorial includes a stone figure of Saint Michael. Albert Bechtold created it in 1935.
Inside the Pfarrkirche Hl. Sulpitius, two rows of octagonal pillars support the vaults. Neogothic pointed arches form arcades that divide the nave into three sections. A ribbed vault with sandstone keystones distinguishes the central nave. The side aisles have simpler groin vaults.
The Pfarrkirche Hl. Sulpitius boasts a cohesive neogothic interior. This was acquired over 30 years after the construction. The high altar showcases the theme of the Sorrowful Rosary. Fidelis Rudhart, a sculptor, created the neogothic structure and figures in 1900. The left side altar represents the Joyful Rosary from 1911. The right side altar depicts the Glorious Rosary from 1915. Rudhart also crafted the pulpit, baptismal font, and three confessionals. Josef Tiefenthaler created the choir stalls. A Pietà from 1895 is the work of Dominikus Trenkwalder of Innsbruck. August Valentin created the Stations of the Cross reliefs in 1901.
The choir’s stained glass windows date back to 1890. They were made by the Tiroler Glasmalereianstalt in Innsbruck. Martin Häusle created the stained glass in the nave in 1965.
A Metzler organ from 1986 stands on the north wall of the chancel. It features 24 registers. The organ’s pipes run parallel to the church’s length. The key and stop actions are mechanical. A bell made by Lazarus Berger in 1512 still rings today.
In 1344, Frastafeders was destroyed, likely by the Werdenbergers. Stones from the ruin were used in the 15th century to build a gothic church. This church, after a baroque transformation, stood until 1885. The decision to rebuild the Pfarrkirche Hl. Sulpitius came about due to shifting majority opinions.
The parish treasures include a year book from around 1450. It reveals astronomical knowledge of a Frastanz priest. A late gothic monstrance from the early 16th century is also notable. Additionally, there is a cross particle monstrance. It is a rococo work from about 1730. The early baroque sacristy cabinet from 1680 now stands on the gallery.
The altar table was moved forward into the slightly lowered central nave. The organ was placed directly next to the altar. This emphasizes the integration of music into the liturgy.
So as you leave the Pfarrkirche Hl. Sulpitius, remember its journey. From a small chapel to the Walgauer Dom, it stands as a testament to faith and community.