From January: Services in St. Stephanus end - fate of the church uncertain

From January: Services in St. Stephanus end - fate of the church uncertain

From January 1, 2025, there will be a reality in the Catholic church landscape in the eastern Wetterau: four churches, including St. Stephanus in Ober-Schmitten, are removed or are being reused. The diocese of Mainz has specified the decline in members and income as the reason for the stylistic thinning with the aim of reducing 20 to 25 percent of the areas. The nine previous parishes of the Deanery East are merged into a single parish called St. Christopherus, which is the largest in the diocese in terms of space, with the remaining churches remaining in insulated regions.

The churches in Ortenberg, St. Barbara in Hirzenhain, St. Joseph in Düdelsheim and St. Stephanus in Ober-Schmitten are available. Possibilities for future use range from conversion through other denominations to cultural events and living space. You could also imagine places for steles or urns. The uncertainty regarding the future of the buildings is great and the local mayors hope for receiving a part of St. Stephanus. Coordinator Norbert Albert emphasizes that a clever handling of the sensitive topic is needed, because for many residents these churches are a piece of home. Details on this development journey are here to read.