Matthias Spanlang

Matthias Spanlang was born in Kallham (Stockham) as the legitimate son of farmer Josef Spanlang and his wife Maria, née Traunwieser. After elementary school, he attended the Kollegium Petrinum in Linz, where he graduated in 1907. After attending the seminary, he was ordained a priest in 1910. He then served as an assistant pastor in various parishes and, beginning in 1918, as a chaplain with the Linz Garrison Pastoral Care. In 1925, he became pastor of St. Martin im Innkreis. There, he subsequently became chairman of the Christian-German Gymnastics Club [today: Sportunion].

Starting in 1931, National Socialist rallies took place in St. Martin in Innkreis. Matthias Spanlang, a staunch opponent of National Socialism, wrote articles against it in various newspapers and also criticized it in his sermons. During Nazi attacks in St. Martin in 1937–38, he helped maintain public order with the assistance of armed members of the Christian-German Gymnastics Association.

On March 12, 1938, Matthias Spanlang witnessed the fall of a free and independent Austria with the invasion of the German Wehrmacht. Following the occupation of Austria by Nazi Germany, Matthias Spanlang was arrested on March 13, 1938, due to his opposition to National Socialism. During a search of his home, eight rifles were found in the attic of the rectory.

Matthias Spanlang was deported to the Dachau concentration camp on May 24, 1938, and from there to the Buchenwald concentration camp on September 26, 1939. Together with the priest Otto Neururer, he gave religious instruction to a fellow prisoner who wished to convert to Catholicism. This was strictly forbidden by the Nazis. When this became known, Matthias Spanlang and Otto Neururer were taken to the detention bunker. It is known that Otto Neururer was hung naked and upside down by his feet. His legs were wrapped in lambskin to prevent any visible signs of torture. After 34 agonizing hours in this position, he died from excessive blood rushing to his head. Something similar likely happened to Matthias Spanlang as well, although there is no certainty in this case due to a lack of witnesses. In any case, Matthias Spanlang died in the detention cell on June 5, 1940.

His body was cremated and buried in the family grave at the Kallham cemetery.