Pfarrkirche Hl. Leonhard

The parish church of Au stands in the village of Au in the Bregenzerwald region of Vorarlberg. It is dedicated to Saint Leonard of Limoges and belongs to the Hinterwald deanery of the Diocese of Feldkirch. The church has been protected as a historic monument since the 14th century. The church’s history begins with a chapel mentioned in 1372, later raised to a parish in 1390. The original structure was rebuilt in 1494 and extended in 1788, with major restorations in the 1920s and 1980s. The building blends Gothic and Baroque styles, reflecting centuries of change. Kaspar Albrecht created the war memorial in 1934 and the guild plaque in 1957. The church’s art and furnishings span from the 17th to the 20th centuries. The churchyard surrounds the building on three sides, with a tall stone base supporting the walls. Inside, the nave has a flat barrel vault with short lunettes, lit by five flat-arched windows on each side. The choir features a fresco by Johann Jakob Spieler from 1778, while the nave’s ceilings hold works by Wendelin Moosbrugger and others. The high altar, side altars, and pulpit show fine craftsmanship from different periods. The 1800 organ, built by Joseph Bergöntzle, remains a key feature of the church.