Parish Church of St. Laurentius in Rettenbach
1383 first documented mention, oldest structure of the church: Gothic masonry on the outside of the choir. 1644 Repairs due to damage from the Thirty Years' War. 1742 Consecration of the current church building. In 1893 the church was severely damaged by a fire, after which it was rebuilt and the church extended to the west.
The Rettenbach parish church is a simple, rectangular hall building with a recessed choir that is closed on three sides. The tower is attached to the north-east. The two-story sacristy is attached to the southeast side of the church. The four-bay hall has a barrel vault with lunettes and belts. Each bay has a pair of windows, so the church interior is evenly illuminated.
All altars in the church were created around 1700, the high altar takes up the entire height of the chancel. The large altarpiece depicts the martyrdom of Saint Laurentius. It has been on this site since around 1965 and is a copy of a work from the Stein parish church near Tirschenreuth. The extract shows St. Wendelin, patron saint of the rural population, the picture was probably taken around 1750.
The two side altars in front of the chancel arch reflect elements of the main altar, but are lower, narrower and less elaborately designed.
The rosary altar (left) shows Mary enthroned in the middle of clouds on the left side of the picture. On her lap stands the baby Jesus on a green pillow. It presents the kneeling Dominicus with a rosary. In the left corner the picture is signed 'G. Holder 1923” signed. The extract shows St. A bust of Joseph looking down at Mary, holding a lily in his raised right hand.
The Sebastian altar (right), the round-arched main picture shows the martyrdom of Sebastian. He is tied to a tree, naked except for a loincloth, and several arrows are already stuck in his body. The excerpt picture above him probably shows Joachim and Anna, Mary's parents.
Six statues are placed on small wall consoles in the church room. Four of them are in the nave, in the north a Mater Dolorosa and a statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, in the south St. Joseph with the baby Jesus and St. Nepomuk. In the north of the choir there is a Madonna and Child, in the south a statue of St. Sebastian.
Source: Excerpts from Church Guide St. Laurentius