How about this: a church born not of grand design but of necessity? That’s the story of St. Gebhardskirche.
The tale begins in the late 19th century. Petershausen needed its own parish church. A building fund started in 1905. The initial plan was a neo-Baroque church with a tower. Construction should be finished in 1913. World War I, however, put everything on hold. A wooden emergency church was built in 1915-1916.
Finally, in 1929, construction began on the St. Gebhardskirche you see today. The original plans were scrapped due to costs. Gone was the planned ambulatory and the onion dome on the tower. However, the new design by Hermann Graf and Luger was larger. It was a simple, clear design. The cornerstone was laid in 1929. The shell was completed in 1930. In November 1930, Archbishop Karl Fritz dedicated it to Saint Gebhard of Constance.
Inside St. Gebhardskirche much has changed. Originally, the Karlsruhe painter Franz Schilling decorated the interior with scenic depictions. These were largely painted over during renovations in 1960-61.
Near the main altar, on the steps to the chancel, sits a remarkable 17th-century crucifix. It was acquired from the art market in 1989. The stained glass windows in the left side chapel, created by Franz Schilling in 1930, depict scenes from the life of Christ. Paul Diesch from Konstanz designed the pulpit, wood sculptures and reliefs.
Look at the large colorful mosaic on the chancel wall. Peter Recker from Donauwörth created it in 1961. It dominates the church space, showing the resurrected Christ before Mount Sinai.
The first organ was built in 1930 by X. Mönch from Überlingen. It was expanded in 1961. In 2014, a new organ was inaugurated. It was called the “Council Organ”. This was to celebrate the 600th anniversary of the Council of Constance. The organ was built by Claudius Winterhalter from Oberharmersbach. It features 46 registers across three manuals and a pedal.
Of the original four bells cast in 1930, only the small Guardian Angel bell survived World War II. In 1951, Friedrich Wilhelm Schilling from Heidelberg cast two new bells. In 1954, he added the Christ King bell, the largest. The set was completed in 2005 with the addition of the small Joseph bell.
St. Gebhardskirche stands as a testament to perseverance. It shows faith can be realized even when grand plans are scaled back. It is a place of worship and a showcase of art.