Parish Church of Sogn Gieri, Schlans

History

The first documented mention of the church dates back to 1185 as Capella de Selaunes. In 1518, the church was dedicated to St. George and St. Scholastica. A reconsecration took place in 1630, with an altar dedicated to the Virgin Mary and the martyrs George and Sebastian. The present church is based on a reconstruction completed in 1671. The last renovation was carried out in 1904.

Architectural Description

The east-facing structure consists of a recessed, three-sided chancel and a relatively wide nave, which narrows by one meter in depth. The chancel is covered by a barrel vault with lunettes, adapted to the polygonal shape by a half-dome. Lighting is provided by arched windows in the chancel and oculi in the north wall of the nave. The doors have straight lintels.

The tower stands in front of the west façade, featuring narrow light slits at the lower levels and coupled round-arched windows on the top floor. The wooden belfry is crowned with an octagonal pointed spire.

Wall Paintings

On the south side of the tower, there is a 14th-century depiction of the commandment to keep holy the Sabbath. The west side features an Epiphany painting from around 1515. Other wall paintings have disappeared over time. During restoration work, a fragment of a St. Christopher painting was discovered on the west side of the tower.

Furnishings

The church has three wooden altars. The high altar dates back to the 1671 reconstruction. It was renovated in 1760, during which Rococo ornaments were added, along with two small statues of female saints placed in front of the columns of the main section. The side altars, designed as matching counterparts, were created in 1675. The simple pulpit dates to around 1770, and the choir stalls were installed in 1671.

Liturgical Objects and Vestments

The church possesses two Gothic monstrances from 1450 and chalices from 1650.

Four bells were cast in 1932 by F. Hamm in Staad. Two of the earlier bells, dating from the 14th and 15th centuries, are preserved in the schoolhouse.

(Text recorded by: Regiun Surselva)