St. Martin, Catholic church in Zusmarshausen, Germany.
St. Martin in Gabelbach, part of Zusmarshausen, is a Catholic parish church built in 1737–1738 to plans by Augsburg cathedral chapter architect Johann Paulus, consecrated in 1746. The nave carries early Rococo stucco of 1738 attributed to Johann and Ignaz Finsterwalder, and the ceiling fresco by Alois Mack shows the Assumption and Coronation of Mary. In 1768 Joseph Dossenberger raised the tower by four storeys.
Excavations inside the church revealed a stone predecessor building from the late 12th century, 14.30 m long and 6.30 m wide, rebuilt in the mid-14th century. A new nave followed in 1590 for 612 gulden and 16 kreuzer, and in 1617 the choir was renewed and a new altar added by master mason Jerg of Radau for 2406 gulden and 33 kreuzer. The present church was built in 1737–1738 under Johann Paulus of Augsburg, consecrated in 1746, and in 1768 Joseph Dossenberger raised the tower by four storeys.
St. Martin was a pilgrimage church of the Archconfraternity Maria vom Trost, founded in 1692 by the dean Bartholomäus Hartmann. The ceiling fresco by Alois Mack shows the Assumption and Coronation of Mary, and the four bells include the oldest and heaviest, cast in 1768.
The church is located at Kirchplatz 2 and is easily accessible on foot, with parking available near the entrance. It is best to visit during opening hours, and it is respectful to wear appropriate clothing when inside.
The organ on the upper gallery was built in 1609 by Marx Günzer for the Barfüßerkirche in Augsburg and sold to Gabelbach in 1757, where it was installed in 1758. It is considered the oldest known organ in southern Germany; Hermann Weber restored it to its 1758 state by 2016.
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