The church was built at a cost of approximately 750,000 gold francs, funded by both local taxes and private donations.
The organ, restored in the 1990s, retains much of its original Stiehr mechanism, known for its specific resonance favored in Alsatian church music.
The building's construction coincided with the transition from the Second French Empire to the German Empire, reflecting the complex political history of the Alsace region.
The stained glass window cycle depicts not only biblical themes but also local saints important to the history of Obernai.
The spire, while Neo-Gothic in execution, was engineered to mirror the scale and proportions of earlier medieval cathedrals in the Rhine Valley.
The Church of Saints Peter and Paul in Obernai is a Neo-Gothic landmark constructed between 1867 and 1872 to accommodate the town's growing population. Designed by architect Alfred Winkler, the structure replaced a medieval church that had become insufficient for the expanding parish. Its most prominent features include a 75-meter high spire and intricate stained glass windows created by the workshop of Maréchal de Metz. The interior houses a historic organ built by Joseph Stiehr, a prominent Alsatian organ builder, in 1875. The church utilizes a Latin cross floor plan with a prominent transept. Despite its 19th-century construction, it retains a collection of earlier religious artifacts salvaged from its predecessor. The stone masonry highlights the distinct architectural transition during the period of German annexation of Alsace. It remains an active site of Catholic worship for the Obernai community.
From the street corner of Rue Chanoine Gyss for a vertical shot capturing the height of the spire.
Walk the full perimeter to see the contrast between the primary facade and the detailed stonework of the apsidal chapels.
Visit during a local organ concert to hear the Stiehr instrument in its intended acoustic environment.
Check for the small plaque near the entrance that details the building's historical transition timeline.
Avoid visiting during Sunday morning mass if you are solely sightseeing, as the interior is restricted to congregants.
Maintain silence, remove hats, and refrain from photography during active church services.
