Description of the Viehhofen Church
The Viehhofen church is dedicated to Saint Joseph and located in the town centre behind the Oberwirt.
The form is determined by straight lines, severity and simple, light elegance, with important features being emphasized. In the church tower there is a peal of three bells.
In the entrance area of the church there is a plaque commemorating the fallen of World War I and World War II, some with photos, the names are identical to those on the memorial stone in the cemetery.
For several years there has been a parish association in the Glemmtal, to which the communities of Maishofen, Saalbach and Viehhofen belong.
History
At the end of the 17th century, after many requests, the municipality of Viehhofen was granted permission to build a chapel. Initially, a simple hut decorated with basic images served as a chapel, allowing church services to be held in the village.
However, a neighbouring community objected to this arrangement, as the decline in churchgoers reduced the income of local innkeepers. It should be noted that attending a service in Zell am See required a walk of around two hours – a journey that was particularly challenging in winter.
In 1767, the innkeeper Augustin Gruber was granted permission to build a “proper” chapel. Unfortunately, this building was destroyed by flooding in 1786, leaving Viehhofen once again without a church.
It was not until 1793 that the consistory approved the construction of a new building. This was completed in 1796 by the master mason Andrä Huber from Kitzbühel. Following its completion, the first church service was held at Christmas in 1797.
Around 1800, a pastoral care station was established, and Johann Kufler was appointed as the first vicar. The vicarage was built by the municipality itself, while the church contributed 2,200 gulden. The land was provided by a local innkeeper.
In 1891, Viehhofen finally became an independent parish.
In 1951, the church received three bronze bells.
Over time, Viehhofen was repeatedly affected by mudslides. A major disaster occurred on 8 May 1912: after four days of heavy rainfall, half of the cemetery was washed away, with parts carried as far as the Glemmerhof inn. The church, at risk of collapse, had to be secured by pioneers of the Austrian army.
The parish church of Viehhofen is dedicated to Saint Joseph and is located in the village centre, behind the Oberwirt.
It reflects the architectural style of its time, built in the Empire style with a simple rectangular form, including a tower, roof turret, and barrel vault. A sacristy was added behind the high altar.
The exterior is defined by straight lines, clarity, and understated elegance, with key features deliberately emphasised. The church tower houses a peal of three bells.
In the entrance area, there is a memorial plaque for those who fell in the First and Second World Wars, partly with photographs. The names correspond to those on the memorial stone in the cemetery.
For several years now, the Glemmtal has had a parish association, which includes the communities of Maishofen, Saalbach, and Viehhofen.
The organ was newly built in 1908 by the organ builder Hans Mertel from Salzburg-Gnigl. Sister instruments can still be found today in Großarl, Bad Gastein, Salzburg, as well as in Forstau and Krimml.