Chapel in Dürnsricht: 50 years full of memories and community!

Chapel in Dürnsricht: 50 years full of memories and community!

The chapel in Dürnsricht is celebrating an important anniversary this year: it was inaugurated 50 years ago, on October 12, 1975. On this occasion, the parish invites you to the anniversary service on October 20, 2025 at 6 p.m., which will be celebrated by Pastor Michael Birner. The local church caretaker Otto Weiß vividly remembers the turbulent time of building the new chapel, when the old, dilapidated chapel had to be demolished.

The financing of the new building was initially uncertain. But the district office had no objections, so an active committee was formed, consisting of members such as Andreas Wendl, Hans Hofmann, Alfons Lederer, Hans Kroher and Alfons Rösch. The women of the village in particular mobilized support for the urgently needed project. Thanks to the help of the market town of Hahnbach, which provided 10,000 DM, and the diocese, which contributed 3,000 DM, the new building was finally realized.

The construction process

The old chapel was demolished in April 1975. The usable stones were carefully separated and reused for the foundation of the new chapel. In total, the villagers worked over 2,000 hours of work themselves to build the chapel. The total cost of the construction was 40,000 DM, with another 3,000 DM being raised for the electronic ringing of the bell.

The bell rings three times a day and informs about local deaths and devotions. The chapel is dedicated to the Holy Trinity and features an impressive altarpiece by Hans Kreiner, which is framed by lime wood statues of Saint Mary and Saint Joseph. The marble altar with a crucifix, which comes from the old chapel, is clearly visible from all 35 seats.

A place of faith

The chapel also features 14 Stations of the Cross from the old chapel on the interior walls, giving the room a deeper spiritual meaning. Agnes Dehling and Otto Weiß are responsible for maintaining the chapel and forecourt. They keep the keys and ensure the place stays in good condition. During Lent, Stations of the Cross, May Day devotions and October rosaries take place here.

The parish of St. Albertus Magnus, to which the chapel belongs, was canonically established on May 1, 1969 by Bishop Rudolf Graber. Today around 2,100 Catholics live in Fensterbachtal, which includes the Wolfring branch and the Högling branch. The chapel is an important place for the community because, in addition to the traditional church services, it offers numerous opportunities to meet and exchange ideas.

Church funding and challenges

The financing of churches and their relevant activities is a complex issue. As an analysis by bpb.de shows, churches need money to operate buildings, staff, communications and more. There are numerous dioceses and parishes in Germany that rely on a variety of sources of income, including church taxes and public support.

However, the decline in church membership numbers could have a significant impact on financial resources in the future. The current focus on alternatives to funding, such as donations or government levies, shows how important it is for communities to remain active and strengthen the community in order to continue to receive the necessary support.