The Protestant parish Tegernsee-Rottach-Egern-Kreuth is facing a novelty: The Emmaus Church on Leonhardiweg in Kreuth is to house a crèche in the future.
The Kreuther municipal council has already agreed.
Tegernsee / Kreuth - What the Evangelical Lutheran parish Tegernsee-Rottach-Egern-Kreuth is planning to do with the small Emmaus church in Kreuth is what Pastor Martin Weber describes as biblical: In the first generations of early Christianity it was completely normal that in Houses, offices and in other places of normal life also worship was celebrated because there were no churches of their own. Now the tables are being turned in Kreuth: There is a small house of God - a jewel box that, not far from the Catholic brother St. Leonhard, calls the faithful to worship.
Or rather called. Because the church has been closed since the beginning of 2020. The church administration made no fuss about the church having to close the portal due to problems with the electrical system and fire protection. The externally modern sacred building with its asymmetrical gable and the small bell tower was built in 1956, it was only named Emmauskirche at the 35th anniversary in July 1991, in memory of the place Emmaus near Jerusalem. For the 50th anniversary, the last renovation was carried out and the gardens with a view of the Leonhardstein were also redesigned.
“We discussed the whole package up and down in numerous meetings,” says Pastor Martin Weber.
The board asked many points: “How is the community developing?
Which of our numerous churches in the valley are needed?
What financial burden do the buildings mean for the next generations?
What do we need for a lively congregation? ”The answer quickly crystallized: Instead of costly renovations for fewer and fewer church visitors, an investment in children makes more sense.
Church becomes a day nursery: the range of childcare places is rounded off
Together with the community of Kreuth, an all-round unique concept was then developed: The church should be preserved as a church - and at the same time become a day nursery. Weber knows what he is talking about: He is the owner of seven day nurseries in the valley, manages 50 employees and supports around 400 families in the overall system. "For the coming year alone, there are around 80 children on the waiting list, and the trend is rising," says Weber and knows: With another crèche in Kreuth, the previous offer in the valley could be rounded off and additional, local childcare places could be created for the little ones. The close proximity to kindergarten, school and day-care center would create an ensemble that would allow children and family to be accompanied in the best possible way.
Weber makes it clear: “The church is not de-dedicated, it remains the church.” An extension is planned to meet the legal space allocation plan. The sacristy becomes a changing room, the chancel becomes a play area, and the gallery becomes an office. Structurally, everything should be designed in such a way that services are also possible if required. “It's not available anywhere yet, but it's awesome,” says Weber. Details are now to be developed by Karl Hitzelberger together with the Tegernsee planning office. According to an initial estimate, around 850,000 euros will be required for the renovation and renovation. There are no restrictions on the part of the state, the church supervisory authority has already signaled its approval. "We no longer need the existing church infrastructure, our mobility has made the church feel different," says the evangelical pastor and is convinced:"A church that is abandoned does not mean the downfall of the West."
The church becomes a day nursery: the parish council approves the project in a secret meeting
During a non-public meeting, the Kreuth municipal council passed a resolution a few days ago: it approved the project unanimously in principle.
“The idea was to keep the building, which is part of the townscape of Kreuth, but to give it a new use, which counteracts the bottleneck in the supply of crèche places,” explains Mayor Josef Bierschneider when asked.
For this reason, discussions were initially held behind closed doors because contractual matters also had to be discussed, said Bierschneider.
The next step is now about planning and various suggestions as well as the distribution of costs.
The Kreuther town hall chief already speaks of a win-win situation and is enthusiastic: "A great project."
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