Kapuziner-|kloster Appenzell

Candlemas (2 February)

Geostete monastery church on the western edge of the old village centre, close to the main road between the village of Appenzell and Scheidweg.

Unadorned exterior with steep gable roof and square turret with octagonal pointed helmet. Three early Baroque altar structures. The pictures in the church are of supranational importance. The high altarpiece - a Deposition from the Cross by the Italian master Cesare Procaccini (1548-1626) - came to the church in 1606 as a gift from Count Kaspar von Hohenems. On the side altar on the right is a Madonna with saints from the years 1610-1620 and on the side altar on the left is Candlemas, created in 1935 by Johannes Hugentobler. The church has 168 seats and a gallery.

History

After the foundation stone for the Capuchin monastery was laid on 5 May 1587, the monastery church was consecrated on 21 July 1590. The Kirchhöri Appenzell paid for the construction costs. 100 years later, the church had to be rebuilt from scratch due to poor masonry and because it was too small. On 12 April 1688 the foundation stone was laid; on 12 September it could already be consecrated. In 1806 the side altars were renovated with the repair of the paintings. Minor alterations and renovations followed in 1842/43 and 1897/98. In 1880 the church was renovated and a gallery was installed. In 1894 new church seating followed. In 1921 another renovation took place: decorative painting, four canvas paintings and five new church windows. During the interior renovation in 1935, various 19th century ingredients were removed and, among other things, the altars were renewed. From 1958 to 1960, the sign was extended and the attic was expanded. The last interior restoration was completed on October 4, 1974. In 1980, a new organ was installed. In 2021, a comprehensive interior cleaning took place. The church is currently also used for cultural events and concerts.