Saint Nicholas parish church, Romanesque Revival parish church in Oberndorf bei Salzburg, Austria
Saint Nicholas parish church is a single-nave Romanesque Revival building with a gabled roof, a five-storey tower on the north side, and a straight-ended choir. The west facade has a triangular gable and a round-arched niche holding a figure of St. Rupert from the second half of the 17th century. The main portal has bronze handles by sculptor Josef Zenzmaier (1968).
A Nikolaus church existed on this site from the first half of the 12th century; that first building burned down in 1757. Its successor suffered repeated flood damage and was demolished around 1900. The present church was begun before its official foundation stone was laid on 19 March 1906 by Cardinal Johannes Baptist Katschthaler, and it was consecrated on 25 November 1907 by Auxiliary Bishop Balthasar Kaltner. The Silent Night Chapel, dedicated in 1937, now stands on the rubble of the old church.
The church holds the Silent Night Organ, installed in 1982 by Rieger Orgelbau within the 1913 case designed by Matthäus Schlager. It was heard nationwide during the ORF Christmas Eve broadcast that year. The organ's three central empty fields were integrated into the prospect, and the three yellowish windows had to be masked.
The church is open for visits during regular hours, so it is best to check opening times before arriving. Guided tours can be arranged for groups interested in learning more about the building and its historical significance.
The present church is nearly identical in design to the parish church of Kleinmünchen in Linz, both built to plans by architect Matthäus Schlager. Its tower rises 59 m to the cross, and the fourth storey holds a four-voice peal of steel bells, the largest 140 cm across and about 1,620 kg.
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