Renovation of the St. Johann Church: Progress and new plans in Bad Dürrheim!

Renovation of the St. Johann Church: Progress and new plans in Bad Dürrheim!

A lot is happening in Bad Dürrheim, as the renovation and repair work on the St. Johann Church has begun. Again Black Forest messenger reported, the work started in September 2025 and has already been partially completed. Michael Dury, the administrative officer of the Archdiocese of Freiburg, explained that planning the measures took a lot of time. A look at the church shows that the existing bricks from 1848 were damaged, which ultimately led to this extensive renovation.

Obtaining heritage approval proved to be a challenge and delayed the start of certain works. However, the craftsmen are currently in the process of re-covering the roof and, fortunately, it turned out that there was no rot and no repairs to the roof structure were necessary. Construction work is progressing and the planned completion of the work is scheduled for mid-November 2025. Scaffolding will remain in place until major work is completed.

Comprehensive renewal measures

In addition to the roof covering, the comprehensive renovation measures also include the renewal of the lightning protection and a fresh coat of paint on the facade. Cosmetic repairs to the tower facade are also planned. Real progress in the climate goals of the Archdiocese of Freiburg is supported by the installation of a photovoltaic system on the south side of the roof.

An important aspect of the renovation is species protection. The habitat for bats should be preserved, while the church windows on the south side will be provided with additional glazing to protect the leaded glass and the organ. The interior lighting is also being updated: halogen lamps are being replaced by modern LED lighting.

Outlook on future projects

But that's not all! After the cold season, further plans for the Catholic Church in Bad Dürrheim and St. Gallus in Unterbaldingen are already in the pipeline. For example, a renovation of the flat roof of the St. Johann sacristy is planned for spring 2026. In addition, the entrance doors of St. Johann are also scheduled to be repaired in the spring, and the re-covering of the church roof in Unterbaldingen is also on the list.

The community in Bad Dürrheim can look forward to many positive changes that will not only improve the external appearance, but also the functionality and sustainability of the church. The commitment to monument protection and the environment shows that the church not only plays a religious but also a social role in the region.