Sponsor campaign for the Nikolauskapelle: more donors wanted
Created: 09/01/2022, 06:00
By: Susanne Weiss
In autumn, the Catholic community in Geretsried celebrates the consecration anniversary of the Nikolaus chapel 300 years ago.
© HL/Archive
A number of shingle sponsors have already been found for the roof renovation of the Nikolauskapelle.
But the donations are far from enough.
Geretsried
– The interest group for the preservation of the St. Nicholas Chapel has come up with something original to renovate the oldest building in the city.
The association is looking for roof shingle sponsors.
220 donors have supported the major project since it was called in June.
"So far we have been able to collect 37,000 euros," says church minister Josef Urso.
A considerable sum – but not enough.
"We have reached about a quarter of the necessary donation amount."
The wooden shingle roof has to be replaced and rotting damage to the roof structure repaired.
Weather effects on the gilded roof crowning also need to be repaired and the facade renovated.
The association expects the measure to cost around half a million euros.
The City Council's Committee for Youth, Senior Citizens, Social Affairs, Culture and Sport voted for a subsidy of 200,000 euros.
"It remains exciting to see whether this will be approved," said the church official.
The Ordinariate has indicated that it will contribute 80,000 euros - although the pastoral benefit is no longer given.
"There are two churches in the city," explains Urso.
Nevertheless, the Nikolauskapelle cannot be left to its own devices.
The church curator calls them a "gem".
It is still popular for christenings and small weddings.
The interest group hopes that many Geretsried residents want to preserve the landmark.
"Everyone who donates helps to ensure that the cultural asset is preserved for future generations."
IG must close a funding gap of 150,000 euros
The community of interest must raise the gap in coverage of around 150,000 euros.
She has received three major donations so far.
Over 20,000 euros have already been collected through the roof shingle sponsorships.
Urso had visited his son in Zurich.
There you could secure a piece of the monastery forecourt, a granite stone with an engraving to support the Einsiedeln monastery.
"A great fundraiser," thought Urso and wondered how this would apply to the Nikolauskapelle.
"We don't have a lush forecourt."
So he did the math and came up with around 1077 roof shingles lying on the chapel.
The interest group has estimated a donation of 300 euros for a sponsorship at the top of the tower.
The lower rows are set at 30 euros.
"Especially for the upper range we experienced a relatively strong influx," says Urso happily.
There all sponsorships are taken, actually even overbooked.
"But we asked those to be allowed to put the sponsorship together with other shingles, and that was absolutely fine." When the campaign started on Corpus Christi, the mayor and pastor spontaneously pledged their support.
"All in all, things got off to a very good start, but now we have to add another briquette."
The Benediktbeuern monastery had the Nikolaus chapel built in 1722.
On September 18, 300 years ago, the little church in the countryside was consecrated.
Anyone who would like to take a look inside and find out more can take part in one of the guided tours on the day of the open monument on Sunday, September 11th.
A field service is planned for the dedication anniversary on Sunday, September 18.
Info
Further information on the fundraising campaign on the website www.stadtkirche-geretsried.de/nk.
The donation account of the interest group Nikolauskapelle has the IBAN DE 05 70 05 43 06 00 00 07 30 49.
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