St. Jakob gets a thorough cleaning - parish church closed until Easter

Created: 12/26/2022, 6:48 p.m

By: Miriam Kohr

Looking for godparents for church figures: Church caretaker Franz Blatt, Head of Administration Michael Höltershinken and Pastor Benjamin Gnan (from left).

© mike

The parish church of St. Jakob is a symbol of Dachau and an important pillar of the silhouette of the old town.

From January, however, the parishioners will have to do without their church, which was built in the late Renaissance style, at least until Easter.

Reason: An expensive restoration is pending.

Dachau

- The church walls are gray instead of white, here and there cracks can be discovered and in one or the other place there is also damage to the plaster.

The "room shell", as it is also called by parish clergyman Franz Blatt, has seen better days.

You want to bring this back into shape now.

In the course of this, the bench heaters and the loudspeaker system are also to be renewed.

Of course, all this costs time and, above all, money.

Six months and 625,000 euros are currently planned.

The Schedule

On October 31, 1625, the first service was celebrated in the parish church as it is known in the old town today.

Since then, of course, St. Jakob has undergone a number of renovations, most recently the exterior renovation, which was completed two years ago.

The administration of the parish association and the church curators have been dealing with the interior refreshment since 2015. Two years ago, the discussions and plans became more concrete.

Now all steps have been coordinated with the monument protection and the craftsmen have been found.

pastor dr.

Benjamin Gnan informs: "On Sunday, January 8th, at 10 a.m. we will celebrate the last service in the church for the time being, on Monday, January 9th, the first companies will roll up at 7 a.m.." The grand reopening is planned for July 2023, because then the 400-year celebration of the church is coming up.

The blueprint

"First a double scaffolding is set up and at the same time the cleaning of the walls is started in the lower area," explains Michael Höltershinken, administrative manager of the parish association.

A so-called sample area, on which dry cleaning and wet cleaning have been carried out and two layers of new paint have already been applied, shows clearly what a new radiance the church will have when the work is completed.

"Finding the right shade of white wasn't that easy," reveals Höltershinken.

Because wall cleaning requires the removal of all moving equipment, including sculptures and paintings, the opportunity is taken to clean these as well.

In addition, the old bench heating with an open system, which, according to the newspaper, makes a significant contribution to the heavy soiling,

exchanged in modern, closed systems.

There are also new sound columns for the loudspeaker system.

The cost plan

The total costs amount to 625,000 euros.

"This time we will not receive a subsidy from the Archbishop's Ordinariate," informs Höltershinken.

This means that the Church Foundation must bear the full cost itself.

"We wouldn't have started without knowing that we had the means," he emphasizes, but concedes that some things that would also have to be done at some point are being put on the back burner for the time being for cost reasons.

Gnan emphasizes: "The renovation will be paid for from financial reserves, which were intended for the maintenance of the property anyway." Because the costs would still be a heavy burden on the church foundation, the parish collects donations and also applies for monument protection grants.

A plan for figure sponsorships has also been hanging in the church since October.

From 150 euros citizens can sculptures,

such as apostle figures, help to shine again.

"Out of 35 sponsorships, only five are still available," says Blatt.

"We are amazed but also very proud that so many parishioners have donated to their church," says Gnan.

Further donations are gladly accepted.

Information on this directly in the parish office, telephone 0 81 31/ 36 38 0.

The alternative plan

Despite the renovation, the church will not sink into complete hibernation, promises Pastor Gnan.

Services will continue to be held in the parish hall.

"It will be an adventure for the whole community," believes Gnan, who at the same time feels well prepared for this phase.

In addition, one has the promise that the church will be usable again at least in the front area from Easter.

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Fancy a voyage of discovery?

My space

If you are looking for a quiet place to pray during the day, you can move to the room under the main portal, the Holy Sepulcher, when the church is closed.

The small space under the stairs is furnished with a bench and chairs and matching decorations, creating a permanent chapel.