Isn’t it remarkable that this church, Sankt Brigida, is the only one in all of Austria dedicated to the Irish Abbess Saint Brigida? Sankt Brigida stands a few kilometers northeast of Henndorf. It is located just outside the hamlet of Ölling in Breyern. Like the parish church, it sits on a slight rise.
A predecessor to Sankt Brigida likely stood here in the 8th or 9th century. The church we see today was built in the early 15th century. Its consecration dates back to 1449. You can still see this year on the northern side door of Sankt Brigida.
Twice, Sankt Brigida faced closure. The first threat came from the “Royal Bavarian Government” between 1810 and 1816. They deemed it unnecessary. The community fiercely resisted. They allowed the church to remain open. This was on the condition that the community’s offering boxes and collection plates would be used for its upkeep. Thanks to many donations and a bequest from Georg Brandstätter, the church’s assets were not touched. Georg came from the Ederbauerngut farm in Ölling.
In 1822, the mother church requested Sankt Brigida’s closure again. They called it an isolated side chapel. They wanted its assets to renovate the Henndorf vicarage. The Henndorf vicar and the Köstendorf dean objected. They argued that the church wasn’t isolated. It was surrounded by houses and hamlets. They also promised to give money from Sankt Brigida without closing it.
Today, Sankt Brigida is considered a masterpiece of Gothic architecture in Salzburg. It is a single-nave hall church. Sankt Brigida is a type known as a wall-pillar church. During renovations in 1960 and 1961, they removed 19th-century decorations. This restored the church to its original form.
Near Sankt Brigida flows a spring revered as miraculous “eye water”. Votive images in the church attest to its healing powers. It is said to cure eye ailments and other diseases. The altar paintings in Sankt Brigida depict Saint Brigida healing the sick. The main altar painting shows Saint Brigida healing a blind man. The once flourishing pilgrimage is evidenced by votive images. They tell of cures for eye diseases and other ailments.
The Weiler’s name refers to the church’s patron saint. It evolved similarly to Preying in the Bavarian Forest. From Saint Breiden, it became Breyern. At Pentecost, pilgrims from Berchtesgaden washed their eyes with the water. They also filled bottles to take home. In 2012, they removed the old stone fountain during the demolition of the old sacristan’s house.
A new fountain is located about 70 meters west of Sankt Brigida. It sits next to the road. An artistically designed stone features the “Eye of God”. Spring water flows from its tip. This water runs over the stone. Remember the story of Sankt Brigida, a place of faith, healing, and architectural beauty.