St. Leonhard Church Zeyern

A visit to the church is worthwhile.

The village of Zeyern is located in the Rodach valley, on the border between the Jura limestone cliffs and the Thuringian slate mountains. First mentioned in a document in 1260 AD. During the Reformation, Seibelsdorf accepted the new doctrine on the orders of the market counts of Bayreuth. Zeyern remained true to the Catholic faith and broke away from Seibelsdorf in 1551. At that time there was only a small wooden church in Zeyern, probably donated by the Lords of Zeyern and consecrated to St. Leonhard. The first major disaster occurred in October 1553. Margrave Albrecht, known as Alcibiades of Brandenburg, burned down the town of Zeyern as well as Hollfeld, Küps, Steinwiesen and Wallenfels. The little church was badly damaged. But immediately it was made makeshift again.
The Thirty Years' War brought the next misfortune: Zeyern was reduced to rubble in 1632. Only four houses remained. The reconstruction of the church was completed in 1638 thanks to the parish's willingness to make sacrifices.
The church was enlarged in 1721 under Prince-Bishop Lothar von Schönborn. A new nave was built on the choir building from the 15th century according to the plans of Johannes Andreas Tribl.
In 1732 the church was only consecrated. In the same year Zeyern was destroyed by the Swedes. On All Saints' Day the church was under roof again. In the same year she was given specialization.
In 1747 the tower was built according to plans by Johann Michael Küchel. The tower rises 29 meters in height. The coat of arms of Prince-Bishop Lothar von Schönborn was placed on the west side of the nave. Underneath in a niche is a 1 meter high statue of St. Leonhard as the patron saint.
At the instigation of Pastor Wagner, the sacristy was added in 1754. The new church was inaugurated and consecrated on October 17th, 1784 after a parish visit by Prince-Bishop Franz Ludwig von Erthal.