Pfarrkirche Oberalm

Gazing at the Pfarrkirche Oberalm, one might hear whispers of ancient stones and the echoes of centuries past. The Pfarrkirche Oberalm stands proudly, northeast of Oberalm itself. This Roman Catholic church has served the community since 1907. It’s a cornerstone of the parish, nestled within the Hallein deanery of the Archdiocese of Salzburg. Dedicated to the martyr Saint Stephen, the Pfarrkirche Oberalm celebrates its patron saint on December 26th, St. Stephen’s Day. Both the church and its surrounding graveyard are listed as historical monuments, whispering tales of generations who rested here. The Pfarrkirche Oberalm’s story begins in 1347. It started as a branch church of Hallein before gaining its parish church status in 1907. A renovation breathed new life into it in 1910. The heart of the church, the nave and tower, date back to the Romanesque period. This Gothic church, with its western tower and wall pillars, underwent transformations over time. A sacristy was added in 1723, south of the nave and choir. A northern aisle expanded the church in 1729. The Pfarrkirche Oberalm also saw restorations, outside in 1963 and within its hallowed halls in 1966. A cemetery embraces the Pfarrkirche Oberalm, a silent testament to lives lived. The nave, simple yet elegant, stands beneath a saddle roof. The northern aisle shelters under a shed roof. The southern portal, a rounded arch, is intricately adorned with multiple recesses. The Gothic choir, with its three-eighths apse, boasts a surrounding base. Round services with bases and a concluding cavetto adorn the corners and the southern yokes. The tower of Pfarrkirche Oberalm reaches skyward with five levels, renewed in 1713. Bifora windows grace the fourth level. Trifora windows illuminate the fifth level. Atop sits a baroque onion dome crowned with a lantern. Round-arched portals mark the north and south of the tower. A pointed, recessed portal graces the east. The northern portal rests silently, now walled up. Within the tower hall, a late Gothic cross-ribbed vault with a round keystone whispers secrets of the past. In 1723, a two-story sacristy was added to the south of the nave. It nestles under a hipped roof. On its ground floor, a chapel with groin vaults offers solace to the departed. Beside this chapel, on the southern wall of the nave, hangs a crucifix, a masterpiece crafted in 1695 by sculptor Johann Georg Mohr. Inside the Pfarrkirche Oberalm, the nave and choir are adorned with net ribbed vaults, featuring a four-part diamond star from 1519. A late Gothic net ribbed vault with a central pillar supports the gallery in the first yoke of the four-yoked nave. The wooden balustrade of the gallery dates back to the 18th century. The Pfarrkirche Oberalm holds treasures within. The remarkable Baroque high altar, a masterpiece from 1707, features work by Jakob Taigl. The altarpiece depicts the stoning of St. Stephen. The upper image portrays Seven Refuges, painted by Johann Martin Schaumberger. The altar features figures of Saints John the Baptist and Lawrence on the sides. St. George and St. Florian stand in the upper section. Virgil and Dionysius watch over the offertory portals. These figures are the work of sculptor Johann Georg Mohr. The tabernacle, a work of art by Johann Nepomuk Högler, was added in 1786. The Pfarrkirche Oberalm continues to resonate with the spirit of Oberalm, a testament to faith and history.