Catholic Parish Church Oberammergau

Catholic Parish Church
Oberammergau
Our Catholic Parish, St. Peter and Paul, is
happy to welcome you to Oberammergau.
At this point we would like to introduce you
to the history, the art and especially the
devoutness of our church in
Oberammergau.
We will now lead you through the history
and the architectural details of the church.
Short History of the Parish
Church
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From 9th century onwards we can see church life in
Oberammergau
First there was a wooden church, then a Romanesque
one during Middle Ages, that was followed by a
Gothic building
In 1735 began the construction (under Josef
Schmutzer) of the present Rokkoko-Church when the
existing church showed considerable damages. The
Church was consecrated in the year 1749.
The High Altar
One of the masterpieces of Franz Xaver
Schmaedl.
• Altar painting was done by Matthaeus Guenther.
The painting expresses the significance of the
Rosary. At the lower left of the painting the
parish and Confraternity of the Rosary are
pictured. The bale is offered to the Queen of the
Rosary as gift from the village.
• Figures: Peter and Paul (inside),St. Joseph with
the divine child and Joachim (outside). All are
works of Franz Xaver Schmaedl.
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High Altar (1)
St. Joseph + St. Peter (2)
St. Paul + St. Joachim (2)
Cupola Fresco (3)
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Cupola fresco by Matthaeus Guenther: Handing
of Rosary to St. Dominic
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Among them: St. Dominic announces the gospel
to the whole world (globe on which a dog
dances: Symbol for Dominic “Domini canis”
dog of the Lord)
Cupola
Fresco (3)
Murals in the chancel (4,5)
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Representation of the basic prayers of the Christians
On the left side: “The Lord’s Prayer” (4)
On the right side: “The Ave Maria” with the
Annunciation scene. (5)
Bottom left: The church was personified with the
symbols of the faith (cross and chalice) and the papal
authority (tiara and keys)
Our Father (4)
Ave Maria (5)
The Nave
Just near to the chancel, there is a central area,
with a great curve in the east wall, side altars
were placed transversely with large flat
cupolas.
• Entering from the west, the viewer is presented
with two domed interiors. The ceiling fresco in
the west end will create the illusion of a
cupola.
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Cupola fresco in the nave (6,7)
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It is the first work of Matthaeus Guenthers in
Oberammergau ( dated 1741),
Topic: Martyrdom of the church patrons Sts. Peter and
Paul.
The focal points are the Apostles' Farewell and their
imprisonment in the Marmertine Prison in Rome,
Their execution : St. Peter by the cross and St. Paul by
the sword.
The Triumph of the saints in the heavenly kingdom.
St. Peter + St. Paul (6)
The Nave Fresco (7)
The side Altars at the chancel (8,9)
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The side Altars are also the work of Schmaedl and his
companions. There are two side altars at the chancel arch.
On the left: The Altar of the Holy Trinity with the
“Decree of Salvation” On the left of the altar there is the
statue of St.Martin of Tours, on the right side St.
Gregory the Wonder Worker
On the right: The Altar of the Crucifixion: Here, the
Divine decree to save mankind by the sacrifice of Christ
was pictured. In front of this Crucifix, dated from the
early 16th century, the Passion Play oath was seen (1633).
At the bottom of the Cross stand Mary and John; on the
right side,Mary Magdalena and Dismas, the good thief
who was crucified with Jesus stand on the left .
Left Side
Altar (8)
Right Side
Altar (9)
St. Dismas (10)
The altars in the side chapels (11,12)
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Two further, large altars by Schmaedl
Left: the Altar of St.Anna, with the painting of
Matthaeus Guenther., the “Holy Kindred”
Between the pillars; statues of St.Sebastian and
St.Rochus., patron saints of those who are afflicted by
plagues.
Richly gilded statue of St.Anna is placed above the
tabernacle.
Right: the Altar of St.Anthony with a painting by
Johann Jakob Zeiller from Breitenwang in Tyrol, who
is famous for his fresco in the cupola of the church at
Ettal.
Left Side
Chapel (11)
Right Side
Chapel (12)
The fresco above the organ (13)
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Depicts the Bernini altar erected over the tomb of St.
Peter, in St. Peters Cathedral-Rome, which attracts the
pilgrims from every corner of the world.
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Representation of the Theological Virtues of the Faith,
Hope and Charity: Hope shown with an anchor and
Charity with flame and heart, whereas Faith is pictured
as chancel arch.
The parapets (14)
These are works of the Oberammergau painter
Franz Seraph Zwinck, the “Lüftlmaler”, in 1787.
Lower parapet gallery: Scenes from the life of
St. Peter and St. Paul
• Upper parapet gallery: Biblical scenes involving
music : Collapse of the walls of Jericho by
trumpet blast; David's playing the Harp before
Saul and further scenes from the life of David
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Crib or Nativity Scene (16)
It shows simultaneously ten scenes from the
Salvation History, from Ash Wednesday until
the 1st Sunday in Advent.
• Harmonious overall view of Suffering,
Resurrection and Transfiguration of our Lord.
• It was created by the Oberammergau master
carvers Herbert and Tobias Haseidl during the
years 1994 - 1996 in baroque styles
• Christmas crib is shown in Advent and
Christmas season
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