The soaring steeple of Pfarrkirche St. Raphael pierces the Augsburg sky. A testament to faith and community it stands proudly. This wasn’t always so.
Pfarrkirche St Raphael wasn’t built overnight. The old St Gallus church became too small for the growing Catholic population of Steppach. Around 1966 Pfarrer Alois Hurter purchased land. A new church was planned. The ambitious project would require years of planning and fundraising. The name St Raphael was chosen. It would harmonise with neighboring parishes St Gabriel and St Michael. But even the name wasn’t decided easily. Debate raged. Some favored ‘Maria and Martha’. Eventually St Raphael won the vote. A new apothecary on the corner even shared the name.
The initial architectural designs were rejected. A competition was held. The winning design came from architects Rubner and Gerum. Artist Herr Grübel was chosen to create the interior artwork. The community could only afford the essentials. The altar tabernacle ambo and baptismal font were commissioned first. Grübel’s vision was ambitious. A mural depicting creation to Christ’s resurrection. A stained glass window showing the resurrection. The angel wings around the tabernacle caused debate. Some found them surprising. Experts reassured the congregation. The debate eventually subsided.
Pfarrer Alfons Klotz later expressed concern that the building was too large. He worried some spaces might remain unused. A meeting ensued. The parish hall’s size was reduced. The planned organ placement also changed. The organ was moved to a gallery. The changes weren’t universally popular. Later an expansion of the parish hall was required.
The consecration of Pfarrkirche St Raphael took place on July 31 1983. Bishop Dr Josef Stimpfle officiated. The tabernacle with its four gilded wings is remarkable. So is the statue of the Archangel Raphael at the entrance. It now also serves as a donation box. In 2001 an addition was consecrated. The ‘Christi Auferstehung’ chapel features a striking image of the resurrected Christ painted by Christofer Kochs. Pfarrkirche St Raphael stands as a symbol of perseverance and community spirit a vibrant center for Steppach. Its history is a reminder that even the most ambitious projects are built upon compromise and faith.