Heart-Jesu Church in Wanne-Eickel: closure and redesign of the parish

Heart-Jesu Church in Wanne-Eickel: closure and redesign of the parish

In Wanne-Eickel in the Archdiocese of Paderborn, the believers and those responsible face a profound change. The creeping decline in church visitors leads to the closure of four of a total of nine places of worship the parish "St. Christophorus". This decision is not only a loss for the community, but could also be interpreted as a signal for the need for change and adaptation in the modern church.

The first step was already taken in 2016 towards the formation of a large parish. The merging communities brought different profiles and social backgrounds, which increased the challenge. "We had to prepare for the changed situation right from the start," explains the member of the Wolfgang Stummbillig building committee. It was important for the municipalities to take an inventory of their buildings and their condition.

The turn came in 2019 when the overarching financial situation of the new parish became clear. With a deficit of 150,000 to 200,000 euros, the municipality was pushed to draw up a list of cost-benefit analyzes of the existing churches and community centers. This analysis should clarify which buildings were actually needed and where savings were possible. Christina Beckmann, the chairwoman of the parish council, emphasizes the importance of transparent decisions: "It was crucial to include people in the process."

The closures encounter mixed reactions and caused unrest. Even smearings on one of the affected churches testify to the disappointment of some community members. However, if you relieve the pain of the loss, new possibilities can arise. For example, in the centrally located parish church at Advent, cribs are alternately exhibited by the closed churches to strengthen the sense of community.

The previous changes show that the church can be understood not only as a place of service, but also as a social meeting point. Initiatives that take place in allotment gardens have the goal of being the church where people are. Pastor Ludger Plümpe explains the philosophy behind it: "We are involved where people are already." The church is rethinked by innovative projects and thus receives an important social role in the community.

The closings are not the final conclusion. Many of the affected buildings are now being checked for new uses. The Archdiocese of Paderborn has initiated a real estate concept to make the future of real estate sustainable. The responsibilities hope to promote the preservation of buildings for social or charitable purposes through these measures. A demolition should always be considered as the last option, says Beckmann.

Overall, the change in tub-eickel is seen as a step to the long-term stability of the church. Those responsible emphasize the need to encourage people, break new ground and leave old structures behind. The path to renewal is difficult, but it also opens up the possibility of strengthening the dialogue within the church community. "We have to encourage people to get involved," said Beckmann. "This is our big task if we want to make the church fit for the future."

The developments in Wanne-Eickel not only offer an insight into the current challenges of the Catholic Church, but also into the power of the community, which can hold together despite all the resistance.