Messkapelle Gößl

The Messkapelle Gößl is a small church in the village of Gößl, part of the Grundlsee municipality in the Ausseerland region of Styria. It stands on private land owned by fourteen local farming families rather than the diocese. The chapel is dedicated to Saint Raphael the Archangel and serves as a filial church of the Grundlsee parish. The chapel’s history reflects the determination of Gößl’s residents. In 1792 they first sought permission to build a church closer to home, but authorities rejected the plan as too costly. After nearly forty years of debate, the villagers built the chapel themselves between 1819 and 1820, with support from Archduke Johann. Completed in 1821, it was enlarged in 1833 and received its sacristy and bell tower in 1903. Inside, the chapel holds a Renaissance high altar from 1663 that was moved from Bad Aussee parish church. The altar painting shows Saint Raphael with the young Tobias and a large fish. Two side figures—a baroque Saint Roch and a gothic Saint Augustine—accompany the altar, along with a painted scene of the Nativity in old Ausseer costumes. Above the altar, a 1950 fresco depicts the Holy Trinity surrounded by the four Evangelists. Outside, a fresco of Saint Christopher watches over the entrance, and memorial tablets honour the fallen of both world wars.