Parish Church of St. James
The parish church in Hohenburg is dedicated to St. James the Elder. It likely dates from around 1200 and was a Romanesque building with a square choir and east tower. It was rebuilt in its current form in 1663/64. The new building was necessary because the old church was not only much too small but also dilapidated. The lower part of the 35-meter-high tower, which was incorporated into the new building, is still Romanesque.
The high altar, with its ornate tabernacle, depicts the Apostle Paul on the right and the Apostle Peter on the left, holding the key. Above the tabernacle, St. James is depicted holding his hand protectively over the town of Hohenburg.
The left side altar, "In Honor of the Mother of God," features a statue of the Mother of God. This statue originally stood in the castle chapel of St. Pancras and dates from around 1450. It is the most valuable piece in St. James's Church. In 1641, lightning struck the castle's powder tower, destroying the entire east wing, including the castle chapel. The statue remained completely unharmed. With the statue's installation in the parish church, the people began to venerate the Mother of God in a special way. St. Catherine can be seen in the altarpiece.
The right side altar, "In Honor of the Holy Family," depicts "Jesus as the Good Shepherd." A figure of St. Martin is on the altar ledge.
Two large ceiling paintings in the nave depict scenes from the life of St. James. First, the mother of the brothers James and John prays to Jesus for her sons, and second, James is martyred by the sword.
In the chancel, a ceiling painting depicts St. James with his symbols of a shell and walking staff. This image, created around 1665, was uncovered during the extensive renovation in 1989/90.
Source: Church Guide to the Parish Church of St. James in Hohenburg