Pfarrkirche Sankt Josef

Beneath the distinctive onion dome of Pfarrkirche Sankt Josef, a tale unfolds. Pfarrkirche Sankt Josef stands as a testament to the enduring faith of the Triesenberg community. It’s a story etched in stone and glass, a story of devotion and resilience. The original Pfarrkirche Sankt Josef, known as “Fürst Josef Wenzel,” was built between 1767 and 1768. It was consecrated in 1769 and dedicated to Saint Joseph, along with Saints Theodul, Rochus, and Sebastian. Imagine this early church: a simple, elongated structure facing east, with three window axes and a recessed, three-sided choir. A bell tower with an onion dome, a common sight in Bavaria and Austria but less so in Liechtenstein, graced the north side. Two bells, added in 1827, called the faithful to prayer. The church underwent renovations in 1877, but by 1938, it was decided to replace it. The current Pfarrkirche Sankt Josef, designed by Stuttgart architect Otto Linder, rose in its place between 1938 and 1939. Its consecration took place in 1940. The church you see today is a striking octagonal central structure, constructed of solid quarry stone masonry. This octagon is intersected by a basilica-like longitudinal structure. The nave sits beneath a cross-gabled and hipped roof, leading to the three-sided choir. Attached to the north side is the mortuary chapel, while a sturdy bell tower, complete with the traditional onion dome and sacristy, stands to the south. Inside, treasures from the past meet modern artistry. The baptismal font, crafted by Johann Baptist Saltzgeber in 1768, was preserved from the old church. A poignant crucifixion group adorns the choir, complemented by stained-glass windows. Both were designed by Johannes Troyer between 1939 and 1940. The high altar and tabernacle date back to around 1939/40, while a newer addition, the celebration altar and ambo made of Carrara marble, were crafted by Hugo Marxer in 2000. Above, in the gallery, rests a 26-register organ on two manuals and pedals, built and installed in 1961 by Gebr. Späth Orgelbau from Mengen, Germany. It replaced the smaller organ from the original church. Five bells, cast in 1939 by Giesserei Staad AG, call the faithful to worship. The largest, the Christus-Glocke, weighs an impressive 4300 kg. Pfarrkirche Sankt Josef has seen more than just the passage of time; it has witnessed the evolution of a community’s faith and devotion. It has been renovated several times, most recently in 2020/21, ensuring it continues to serve the people of Triesenberg as a spiritual and architectural landmark.