For baptism, blessing or as a symbol of fertility: water has always played an important role in the Catholic Church.
The Fürstenfeldbruck Church of St. Magdalena, however, is now fatal due to its proximity to the cool water.
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Fürstenfeldbruck - It is only a stone's throw from the banks of the Amper to the mighty walls of the nave.
The location of the church, which was first mentioned in a document in the 13th century, could hardly be more idyllic.
But back then, the master builders literally built on sand – more precisely, on the alluvial sand that the river had dumped in what is now the city center for thousands of years.
The soft ground soon caused problems and the building sagged.
The church leaders therefore took an unusual measure: the church, which once stood parallel to the Amper, was rotated 90 degrees in the 17th century and now faces north-south - a very rare orientation in the Catholic Church.
However, this did not solve the problems with moisture.
They were just adjourned.
And in fact, the unusual measure from back then made them even worse.
Because now the northern part of the building stands on relatively stable ground.
The southern part with the apse, in which the main altar is located, continues to rest on the alluvial sand and continues to sag.
The result: cracks gape in the mighty walls – and they get bigger.
The worrying condition of the building has long been known in the parish.
Now it is to be renovated.
"If you don't act, there can be blatant damage," says Head of Administration Markus Amann.
He sees the stucco work and the valuable frescoes as well as parts of the vault in danger.
Specialists should therefore move in as soon as possible to stop the sagging and repair the damage that has already occurred.
The experts will have work to do.
The foundation is to be renovated and the facade restored.
The roof truss needs repairs, parts of the roof need to be repaired.
The floor covering in the organ area is also to be renewed.
In addition, parts of the facade need a new coat of paint.
The whole thing won't be cheap.
An estimate assumes at least 500,000 euros in costs for the work on the church.
However, the parish of St. Magdalena cannot start the renovation on its own.
"The renovation must be approved by the ordinariate," says Amann.
But this final approval is still pending.
The head of administration assumes that this will be available by December.
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Head of Administration Markus Amann
© Gehre
But one thing is already clear to him: “There is no alternative to renovation.” From the perspective of the parish, the renovation should be sustainable.
Simply plastering the cracks is not a solution.
The parish does not have to bear the costs of the renovation alone.
Nor could she.
Markus Amann assumes that the professorship will cover 85 percent of the costs.
The parish has to pay the rest.
This is to be financed by reserves and donations.
Amann therefore emphasizes: "We are dependent on donations." And not just for the church itself. Because the rectory also has to be renovated and expanded - for around 3.7 million euros.
The parish also has to bear 15 percent of the costs itself.
And the kindergarten also needs an overhaul.
Cost point here: at least 600,000 euros.
It is not yet clear when exactly the renovation of the church will begin.
Administrative manager Amann hopes to be able to get started next spring.
The church should remain accessible during the approximately one-year construction phase - with temporary restrictions.
(Tobias Gehre)