LEHMDEN CHURCH

On January 2nd, 1973, the parish church of Deutschkreutz started to remodel and renovate the church according to Professor Anton Lehmden's suggestions. Prof. Lehmden said, "I think that the church should be placed on an island in the centre of town; a wide staircase should lead to the entrance of the church".
It was done like that.

"Heiliger Geist über der Arche schwebend", mosaic
God told Noah, " Build an ark of cypress wood for yourself". (see Gen. 6, 14) After forty days, Noah opened the ark's window and let the dove out to see whether the water had dried up (see Gen. 8, 6 - 8)

"Maria im Weinberg", oil painting
Maria stands "like a pillar" between heaven and earth. That connection between heaven and earth is also expressed by the colours of her gown. The blue coat stands for heaven, the green dress symbolizes earth. The picture's background is well known and familiar to us - our vineyards.
The serpent has been called the seducer since Adam and Eve. After Adam and Eve had eaten the forbidden fruit, God damned the serpent and said, "... she will tread down your head". (see Gen. 3)
The old and knotty vine starts bearing grapes again; it looks like the very first harvest. That vine points to the scriptural passage which says that the root Jesse which has dried up comes to new life in Christ.
The painting's frame is impressive and extraordinary, too, because the painting is continued in the frame.

The painting of the oval window above the crucifix shows symbols which stand for life.
Ears of corn symbolize bread, tendrils of vine represent wine. Both - bread and wine - are important for the Christian Eucharist. During transubstantiation, the priest speaks the words of Jesus, "This is my body, this is my blood".

Left window in the Sanctuary:
When Apostle Paulus did missionary work in the area of today's Turkey, he had a vision one night. He saw a man from Macedonia who begged him, "Come over here and help us". As a result, Paulus and his companions went to Greece to preach the Gospel. From there the Gospel was spread all over Europe.
Paulus is considered the first great Christian missionary. In the picture, he holds the New Testament in his left hand and a sword in his right hand. The sword is a symbol for his death as a martyr.

Right window in the Sanctuary: Christians were persecuted until the beginning of the 4th century. It was not until the regency of Emperor Constantine that people were granted freedom of worship. It was not until he was dying that he asked for his own baptism.
The background of the picture depicts the Milvic Bridge; the Emperor`s Forum with Constantine`s triumphal arch and the Colosseum are illustrated in front of the bridge. Christ`s monogram can be found in the sky. This picture goes back to the myth which says that the Cross appeared to Emperor Constantine before the Battle at the Milvic Bridge (312 A.D.) and that it promised him, "You will win in the sign of the Cross". (This prophecy is written in Greek letters on the window)
This incident caused Konstantin to grant freedom of worship to people.

We see the portrait of Melchisedek behind the tabernacle. Melchisedek is the original of the priest, just like Christ is the eternal priest "along the lines of Melchisedek" (see Hebr. 6,20) Melchisedek was King of Salem and priest of the supreme God. The crown on his head is the sign for the king. The symbols bread and wine in front of him show him as priest.

The window in the southern side-aisle directly behind the Madonna shows a glory with a triangle. The triangle stands for the presence of God.

The Baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan is shown in the glass window of the baptism chapel. Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist. ".......and he saw God`s spirit like a dove descending on him. A voice out of heaven said, "This is my son, who is the joy of my heart. I have chosen him." (Mt 3, 16-17)
The representation of this extraordinary incident is especially expressive. It shows the devotion and the eminence of Jesus.

In the winter of 1999/2000 the artist painted another six big windows and the small window above the north-entrance.

While attempting to escape from his brother Esau, Jacob had a dream in which he saw a stairway (Jakobsleiter) resting on the earth with its top reaching to heaven. God was standing above the stairway and said, "I am the Lord, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac. I will give you and your descendants the land on which you are lying."

The boat (Schiff Petri) represents the Church of Christ. It is on its journey through the stormy periods of time. The dominant "Ark" in the centre of the window is decorated by two different crosses, the cross of the West-Church (Roman Catholic) and the cross of the East-Church (Orthodox).

Prof. A. Lehmden enjoyed painting Franz von Assisi. Franz von Assisi was chosen to be the most impressive person in the second millennium after Christ. The myths say that Franz was able to talk to the animals. In this picture, Lehmden shows his love for animals and his predilection for painting certain kinds of animals.

The Creation of the world out of nothing by the almighty Word of God points out that the Earth is to be seen as the centre of the universe. There are planets which are a lot bigger, but they do not compare to the Earth with its beauty and great variety of life.

While Moses was looking after the sheep, the Angel of God appeared on the mountain of Horeb in the middle of a burning bush. God told Moses to lead his people from Egypt to the Land of Promise.

The glass-painting dealing with Whitsuntide shows the fiery tongues gliding down to the Earth in order to inspire all human beings with God's spirit. The artist painted the tongues in different sizes. Coming down to the Earth, the tongues transform into tulip-like flowers.

The window above the north-entrance shows the fight between the Good and the Evil. A beautiful, dominant white bird is surrounded by several black birds. The white bird symbolizes the Good. It is important that the white bird is able to win against the Evil and the Dangerousness.

In October 2001, two new big paintings ("Birth of the Lord" and "Resurrection of the Lord" ) by Prof. Anton Lehmden were added to the church. The artist also designed the door to the tomb.

And he painted the pillars and the parapet.
On Oct. 25th, 2001, Bishop Dr. Paul Iby blessed the newly designed Lehmden Church.

The picture of the Birth of the Lord is very touching. The sky opens like a curtain and gives God's Son to the earth. Mary is crouching in a cavern holding the child in her arms. At the same time she is very proud presenting God's Son, who brings peace to the world and who will save mankind by his Passion.

God's Son has been in his grave for only three days. Now he goes back to heaven. In the picture dealing with the Resurrection of the Lord his body comes off the earth and goes to heaven.
The Redemption is completed.

The 14 Stations of the Cross were blessed on July 9th, 1998, by Bishop Dr. Paul Iby.

The Stations of the Cross are painted on white marble. Describing the events, the artist concentrates on the essentials. He says, "To paint the Way of the Cross means to depict a dramatic, breath-taking and electrifying story which contains human and superhuman elements. Nothing compares to Christ's Passion."

The door to the tomb is plated with a copper plate. Prof. Anton Lehmden decorated it with death's heads, bones, tendrils and rosettes

Now 34 works of art made by Prof. Anton Lehmden decorate this church.

It is very important to Prof. A. Lehmden that everybody is able to understand the meaning of his paintings.

Visiting hours: from 8 am to 6 pm
For guided tours please contact the tourist information: phone :+43-2613-89683
Address: Hauptstraße 55, A-7301 Deutschkreutz