The renovation work on the old Georgskirche in Hebertshausen has been completed after ten years.
Auxiliary Bishop Haßlberger will consecrate the altar on Sunday (October 4th).
Hebertshausen
- After extensive renovation work, the conception of which began ten years ago, the listed church of St. Georg in Hebertshausen now presents itself in new splendor.
The church, which was previously built on the basis of a medieval castle chapel and dominates one of the most beautiful church squares in the district above Hebertshausen, has been extensively renovated, the furnishings renewed and a future-oriented room concept created.
The church renovation is the keystone in an overall ensemble, which includes the also renovated morgue, the new funeral hall, the stabilized Kirchberg wall and the renewed church staircase.
A project into which the Archdiocese of Munich Freising has invested a total of almost 4 million euros and the municipality of Hebertshausen around 2 million euros.
And that was only possible because the church, community and citizens involved in the Sankt-Georg-Verein worked together in a close, trusting manner, as all those involved emphasize.
“Something big has been created here,” said Pastor Monsignor Michael Bartmann during a press conference.
Mayor Richard Reischl is also pleased “that we have achieved our original goal”.
Many agreements were necessary, some decisions were not easy, "God has already helped", emphasized diocesan master builder Hanns-Martin Römisch.
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Diocesan master builder Hanns-Martin Römisch.
© Petra Schafflik
The origins of the project go back some time.
As early as 2002, citizens founded the Sankt-Georg-Verein with its 124 members today with the aim of preserving the then dilapidated church.
The association collected money and ultimately contributed 50,000 euros to the renovation, as CEO Michael Vogl emphasized.
Above all, the members worked hard to ensure that the community and archdiocese took on the project.
In the future, too, as Peter Wackerl emphasized, they want to get involved “for care and maintenance”.
The community was also asked so that the project could be tackled.
Saint George was neglected over the years because the parish life in Hebertshausen had shifted more and more to the parish church, which was built in 1960.
Only with the decision of the community to renovate the morgue in the old cemetery, St. George is given a central role as a worthy funeral hall for citizens who are close to the church.
A smaller, non-religious funeral hall was built into the cemetery wall.
The community saw this as an obligation and an opportunity, said Reischl.
With the aim of “enabling people to have an honorable and dignified farewell”.
But the newly designed church will be more than a place to say goodbye.
The old pews have been removed, and flexible seating will allow concerts and readings in the future.
The design of the church is now cautious: light falls through modern colored glass windows designed by the renowned painter Jerry Zeniuk.
“My first glass windows,” says Zeniuk, who says he was “oriented towards aesthetics, the light should speak”.
This glow stands in contrast to the white of the choir.
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Painter Jerry Zeniuk designed the glass windows.
© Petra Schafflik
Important furnishing elements such as the statue of the eponymous Saint George and a Pietà have been given a place again in the renovated nave.
The medieval altar stone is complemented by a sandstone folk altar and ambo.
A wall painting from the 12th century, the art-historical significance of which has only now become apparent, has been preserved and secured.
It shows the parable of the rich Prasser and poor Lazarus.
"We still have to document and process what is shown here," said Diocesan master builder Römisch.
It is not a matter of course that a strong idea will also be realized, emphasized architect Markus Kuntscher, who oversaw the project.
There have always been considerations, for example the interplay of modern glass windows and historical frescoes.
The result is convincing.
"It is wonderful!"
Auxiliary Bishop Bernhard Haßlberger will consecrate the new altar in Sankt Georg on Sunday, October 4th.
However, only invited guests can take part in the service.
As soon as the last work in the sacristy is done, the church will be open during the day.
The Sankt-Georg-Verein also plans guided tours;
Dates will be announced.
