St. Peter und Paul in Leerstetten, Lutheran church in Leerstetten, Schwanstetten, Germany

St. Peter und Paul in Leerstetten is an Evangelical Lutheran church in Schwanstetten, Bavaria. Its tall pale-plastered tower carries a steep reddish-brown spire, a black clock dial with gold numerals, and narrow arched openings; the longer body to the right has a red tiled roof. The nave was enlarged to nearly double its size in 1732, and Carl Alexander Heideloff gave the building its neo-Gothic character between 1835 and 1843.

St. Peter und Paul was built in the 13th century, probably over a 12th-century pilgrimage chapel first mentioned in 1194. The church itself is documented in 1313 in connection with tithes paid to Ebrach Abbey. In 1372 the Bishop of Eichstätt appointed a permanent priest for Leerstetten, Großschwarzenlohe and Furth, and the choir tower followed, its oldest bell cast in 1398. The nave was doubled in size in 1732; Carl Alexander Heideloff gave the church its neo-Gothic character in 1835–1843.

St. Peter and Paul is the Evangelical Lutheran parish church of Leerstetten. Its name refers to the apostles Peter and Paul. The churchyard south of the building, established in 1607, is still used and protected as a monument; two sandstone wall sections from the early 17th century survive there.

Access to the church is via Frühmessergasse, and visitors can explore the cemetery with its old gravestones. When planning a visit, consider the service times to respect the sacred nature of the location.

The bell in the choir tower was cast in 1398 and remains the oldest element of the church still present today. This medieval bell demonstrates the craft quality and durability of metalwork from that era.