Penzberg - The Penzberg Christ the King's Church celebrated its 70th birthday.
But it is getting on in years.
The repairs cost 1.14 million euros.
On October 7, 1951, there was a distinguished visitor in Penzberg: The then Bishop of Augsburg, Dr.
Joseph Freundorfer, inaugurated the new Catholic Christ the King Church on Bahnhofstrasse.
The church was built from 1949 to replace the Barbara Church, which was badly damaged by bombs in World War II, according to plans by the Munich architect Michael Steinbrecher.
It was one of the first new church buildings in the Diocese of Augsburg after the war.
Christ the King dominates the cityscape.
Simply furnished, flooded with light and with the striking Campanile tower, which rises 35 meters five meters away.
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On October 7, 1951, the then Bishop of Augsburg, Joseph Freundorfer, inaugurated the new Catholic Christ the King Church on Bahnhofstrasse in Penzberg.
© Parish
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Are committed to the renovation of Christ the King: Church nurse Margareta Drexel and Penzberg's Catholic pastor Bernhard Holz.
© Andreas Baar
The church has “a character where I know I am safe,” emphasizes parish priest Bernhard Holz.
The pastor takes a long look at the 4.50 meter high, gilded Christ the King figure above the altar.
“The good king who looks upon his people,” says the clergyman.
"With him I can practically find peace, he has arrived." However, Holz and church caretaker Margareta Drexel have not been able to calm down for several months.
Because the condition of the Christ the King's Church preoccupies them.
The church urgently needs renovation.
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The roof construction including the electrics is a cause for concern.
© Parish
In 1981 there was an exterior renovation, in 1987 the interior was artistically redesigned.
In 2005 the Isaiah window by the Blue Rider painter Heinrich Campendonk was installed in the north window.
But now it is time for new repairs, as church carer Drexel explains.
The Catholic Church Foundation has to face considerable costs.
The approach is 1.14 million euros for the entire package, as Drexel calculates.
“The biggest chunk,” she says, is the roof.
The construction, built in 1951, has to be upgraded by order of the diocese.
It still holds.
"There is no danger to the visitors," emphasizes Drexel.
But with large amounts of snow there is a risk of collapse.
In January 2019, the church had to be closed for a few days.
A whopping 500,000 euros are estimated for the new roof.
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Damage to the walls.
© Parish
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The control panel in the sacristy is out of date.
© Andreas Baar
Electrics were often patched
The electrical system, which has been repaired many times, is also a problem child.
Old and damaged lines and switches make those responsible fear for fire safety.
It is expected to cost around 300,000 euros.
Even if you want to touch the walls and floor as little as possible in the listed church, cables have to be laid.
That is why a renovation of the shell is unavoidable, they say.
The last interior renovation took place 35 years ago and is therefore necessary anyway.
In addition to soot and dirt, the often damaged Solnhof limestone slabs on the ground are a cause for concern.
Around 180,000 euros are estimated for the painting and stone carving work.
It should start with the organ
As a first step, the organ is to be renovated in spring 2022, if possible.
Because their sensitive electrics also need to be refreshed after all these years, and the pipes also have to be cleaned.
The special electropneumatic instrument built by Josef Zeilhuber in 1957 threatens to produce dangerous sparks due to the brittle coating of the thin electrical wires.
The repairs are estimated at 160,000 euros.
Then you have to get by without music while working.
As an alternative, a piano is available, and the church band “Jesus Feelings” could also step in.
Donations are welcome
Donations are possible to: Catholic Church Foundation Christkönig, Sparkasse Oberland, IBAN DE87 7035 1030 0032 5750 60, keyword “donation for church renovation”. Further information is available by calling 08856/92140 or emailing renovierung@christkoenig.de.
When it comes to financing, the Penzbergers rely on grants from the diocese and the Free State. But that won't be enough. For this reason, the church foundation started a large fundraising campaign by means of a parish letter. Those responsible have drawn up a financial plan for the multi-million dollar project. Drexel is hoping for possible subsidies from the diocese (550,000 euros) and from the Free State to the city (100,000 euros), charity campaigns and sponsorships (85,000 euros) and, above all, donations (400,000 euros). For the latter, those responsible are currently beating the drum. “We have to start collecting money,” said pastor wood to himself last year and started the collection campaign. They already have around 150,000 euros, which is around a third of the funds to be raised by the parish itself.The first project in 2020 was the new heating system for the church and St. John's House. The costs amounted to 75,000 euros, around 40,000 euros were given as a grant from the diocese. But now the really big chunks are coming up.
That will go on for years "
Church caretaker Margareta Drexel on the renovation
All construction work has been agreed with the diocese.
Augsburg will "of course" contribute financially, says the pastor.
For the remaining funding applications, however, concrete cost estimates are still required from the planners.
However, there is still no schedule for the work.
A snow load expert has recently been asked for a second expert opinion on the roof.
The planning is moving forward with the electrics.
Nothing is planned for the interior yet.
That depends on the other work, and everything has to be clarified with the monument office.
Because Christ the King is on the protection list.
It is still unclear when the extensive renovations will start.
Church nurse Drexel already suspects: "It will take years."
