St Gallus is very well known in southern Germany, Switzerland and France. As a companion of St Columban, who was one of the Iro-Scottish messengers of the faith, he travelled to Alemania around 610 to win the inhabitants over to Christ. It is reported that he preached in the vernacular.
From 612, he lived in a hermitage at the source of the Steinach (Switzerland/Lake Constance region). He was characterised by his love of humanity and closeness to nature. He is also credited with healings. Gradually, a group of disciples gathered around him, whose lives were characterised by prayer and contemplation of the Scriptures.
After the death of St Gallus around 640, the Benedictine monastery of St Gall was later founded from his cell by St Otmar. The town of St. Gallen developed from this. St Gall is depicted as a monk with an abbot's staff and a bear.
The chapel was rebuilt after a fire in 1904. Around 1990, it was renovated inside and out and fitted with two bells (St Gall's and St Mary's bells). As in the past, the faithful still pray to St Gallus for advice, help and comfort.
The feast day of St Gallus is on 16 October.